Re: [Harp-L] amazin' grace on harp

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

That is a beautiful melody and perfect for harmonica.

You didn't say anything about accompaniment but it would help greatly.  The 
following assumes a guitarist but if it is piano, organ, or MIDI..so be it.

I would play it through four times:

1. Play the melody against the I chord all the way through.  You could have 
the guitarist or vocalist just blow legato chords on a diatonic of the 
appropriate key.  No ability to play harmonica is required. It suggests the 
spare, mournful sound of the bagpipe and creates harmonic tension.

2. Change key (up a wholetone sounds good). Play against the full set of 
chords of the guitar:  I, I7, IV, I, V7 etc.  This relieves the harmonic 
tension and makes the music seem to expand and become grander.

3. Have the guitarist play the melody and strum chords on the off-beats.  On 
the harp, play a harmony part in thirds and sixths above the melody.  This 
makes it really take off and soar. If you wish to do this, I can send you 
the harmony part.

4. Change key again and play the melody against the full guitar chord set. 
This time, gently and tastefully jazz up the melody.  This ends in a more 
joyful mood.

Because every verse sounds different and progresses to a slightly different 
mood, (mounful, grandiose, soaring, and joyful) the piece won't be boring. 
I think that it would move the audience.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Hildebrand" <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "hazcon" <hazcon@xxxxxxxxxx>; "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 5:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] amazin' grace on harp


> Hi Rick,
>
> So sorry to hear about your friend passing.
>
> Amazing Grace can be a very emotional song at such
> a time, and your emotions will come out in your
> harp playing.
>
> I would definitely stick with 2nd position...
> Amazing Grace is one of those songs 'made' for 2nd
> position harp.
>
> Personnally, 1st position would be great on a
> chromatic, but for me, not on diatonic, compared to
> what can be done in 2nd position.
>
> The song isn't 'minor' enough (or at all) for 3rd.
>
> In 2nd utilize all 3 octaves, or at least the low and
> middle (I may use the upper to do a downward stepping
> pattern lick all the way down to the low octave (and
> possibly back up from the low octave for a finish).
>
> Check out the late great Terry McMillan on YouTube
> for inspiration:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7arOqGZQGx4
>
>
> Ken H in OH
>
>
> --- hazcon <hazcon@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Guys i need a hand
> >                             A very good friend has
> > died an i am up for
> > playing it at his memorial concert:
> >                            I am Ok with positions 1
> > & 2 & 3 and i realize
> > that it isn't a 'hard' tune to play on the Harmonica
> > but as of now i can't
> > play it.ie in that I have never learnt it.
> >  If you had a week or so to learn it what position
> > would you choose and/or
> > which position has the max effect?
> >                          I am toying with the idea
> > of starting in A
> > ,solo,( crossed D Harp)) then segueing into E
> > (crossed A harp)whereupon our
> > mate the slide player,(and vocalist) will join in to
> > do the song in E to the
> > finish.
> >                          Given the emotion this song
> > can generate i would
> > love to hear any other Harpers opinion/variation on
> > this theme
> > TIA
> > Rick
> > in NZ
> >
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>
>
>
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