[Harp-L] Duos w/ Harp

[Warren Bee <wlb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have been in many duos over the last 30 years. Song selection rarely had
to do with whether there was harp in the original tune or whether it was a
tune done originally by a duo. My main love of duo work is the freedom it
offers to do pretty much anything musically. Many times the results are
nothing like the original songs but that is what makes it a fun and unique
performance opportunity. By default a harp and guitar duo lends itself to
many, many blues tunes whether done by soloists, duos or bands. My favorite
set lists have included songs that nobody expected a guitar & harp duo to
perform. When playing harp alongside a rhythm guitarist the harp player has
an amazingly wide open canvas on which to paint pictures with signature
lines as well as improv. Effects pedals, especially chorus, flange, octave
and delays, can really help add different textures to keep repetition at bay
as much as possible. Over a 3-4 hour gig "variety of sound" is the spice of
life and a means for audience attention survival unless you are strictly
staying within a blues format for a blues loving audience. Some of the most
crowd pleasing stuff I have performed in duos has been from bands/artists
like: Pink Floyd, Beatles, Bowie, The Who, Elvis P., Boomtown Rats, Led
Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, B52's, Traffic, The Band, Elvis Costello, Sly &
The Family Stone, The Strokes, Grateful Dead, The Doors, Hendrix and the
list could go on for a while. Additionally songs from solo performers are
always nice to "jazz" up with solid harp: Springsteen, Dylan, Neil Young,
Don Mclean, David Bromberg, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, John
Prine, etc etc etc.

 

Bottom line: Play what you love. That always makes for heartfelt licks full
of emotion and joy.

 

Warren Bee