Re: [Harp-L] Electric Harp Versus Guitar

["46long Blake" <46long@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mike -

Cool thread topic. And though you'll get more learned responses, here's my
thoughts.

I can't talk amp technology, but one of the things that come to mind
technique-wise is how you atack notes. This is the hallmark of any great
slide player, and certainly adds to a harp player's individual style as
well. Do you slide in to the "home" note? What techniques do you use to
'color' that note? How cleanly do you hit the note?  Do you add anything at
the finish of the note -  a "slide" out if you will?

I think it's fair to say that what many of us love about many of the greats
- living and dead - is that a note is rarely just a note. Whether it's
tongue-slapped texture, or a bend-in, whatever, rarely (in blues harp and
much of jazz, at least) is a note pure blow or pure draw.  Think of slide
guitar. what would the point be if it each note were precise and clean. Take
Derek and Jason R. side by side (yeah, Jason, I can hear you right now
saying you're not worthy. Just take a frikkin' compliment. You deserve it,
and Mike knows your music, so it works).  Both are 'slippery' as hell. They
don't stay in one place for more than a fraction of a second. This isn't
about speed. Even sustained notes feel like they're moving somewhere.
Staccato notes still sound rich and textured. This almost always comes from
there being multiple things going in to hitting that "one" note. Think the
opening harp note of Jason's Mellow Down, or Hip Shake.  He slides down in
to home....at least that is how it comes across - despite that it would
probably be 'tabbed' as a succession of draw 2s.

Like I said, I know nothing about amps, and I'm not a pro, but you like
slide, and I've heard you talk about certain harp players here before.  So
much of this board talks about precision and speed. Maybe you could try
getting more loose and 'slippery' with your playing. Just a thought, as I
think I can relate to what you describe.

- Blake


On 10/30/06, Mike Fugazzi <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> What is the difference between the sound of an
> electric harp vs that of a guitar?  How are the
> signals into the amps different?
>
> I tried searching for the answer, but didn't know how
> to phrase my questions effective enough for a search
> engine.
>
> I've heard of harp players sounding like guitars
> before, but haven't found the similarities.
>
> This notion popped into my head after talking with a
> guitar player and listening to Derek Trucks...My band
> is off for the month, but I had two groups ask me to
> play with them in the next couple of weeks.  One
> offered to bring an amp (tweed deluxe) so I wouldn't
> have to lug a bunch of gear or be there early for set
> up.  So not only don't I have to rehearse, I am
> getting paid to jam and even have a roadie of sorts ;)
>
> This will work fine since I have the Kinder AFB+ and
> Harp Commander and am comfortable setting up on the
> fly and getting a sound I don't hate (and I don't want
> to crowd the stage or leave an amp there all night).
> So I started thinking about how a good guitar amp and
> harp amp are different, but beyond feedback control I
> don't know why, or why the two insturments sound
> different to begin with.
>
> Then at lunch today I was listening to Derek Trucks
> and realized that the sound in my head is much closer
> to his tone then that of the stereotypical harp sound.
> So while I don't need to sound just like Trucks,
> there has to be a way to get closer to that tone.
>
> Maybe I should just start playing guitar.  I love the
> shape of the sounds slide players throw out there and
> how the can have such presence without sounding shrill
> or thrill.  It is so warm, yet more focused then
> typcial harp.  Maybe it has to do with tongue blocking
> or something.
>
> Any weird thoughts like mine are welcomed.
>
> Mike Fugazzi
> vocals/harmonica
>
> http://www.myspace.com/mikefugazzi
> http://www.niterail.com
>
> "Capitalize on your own strengths; develop your own style.
> The world needs another harp player doing Little Walter licks
> as much as it needs another Elvis impersonator."
> -Paul deLay
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates
> (http://voice.yahoo.com)
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l



--
Blake Taylor
http://46long.com
http://www.myspace.com/46long