RE: [Harp-L] Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Warren Bee <wlb@xxxxxxxxxxxx> · Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:58:15 -0400

Hey Tom,

First off, my knowledge of theory is very limited. I am sure you have more
under your belt than me. I took your advice and played it with the
overblow.It does seem to work but no better than the other way to my ear. It
does seem interchangeable. Now I found this version
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/summer/ballgame.htm  complete with the verses.
It does seem to hit that note that you mention. Now I am playing it both
ways! See what you did!!!! So here is what I think: of all songs this is one
that I think you can get away without being 100% precise and 99.99% of all
listeners will never know the difference. Even most music scholars won't
notice. BUT, that 5 OB isn't that tough with a good harp and it then will
make it perfect for that .01% of the population that you are looking to
please. Personally.I will continue to play it "wrong" except when hanging
with harp players, then I will pop the OB to look cool :-)

Great article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2004406047_stone11.html 

Now I am hungry. I think I will have a hot dog and some cracker jacks for
lunch!

WB

  _____  

From: Tom Albanese [mailto:reedwrecker@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 9:09 AM
To: Warren Bee; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Take Me Out To The Ball Game

OK Warren. You can help me out any time. Let's start here and you can tell
me if all wet on this...

First position does work perfectly but by my reckoning, to play the note
that sounds on the word <AT> as in "three strikes your out <AT> the old ball
game" you have to hit the flatted fifth (F# on a C harp) which falls smack
in the middle of the octave. In the first octave on a standard tuned
diatonic harp that's the 2 draw half step bend. In the second octave it's
the 5 OB. You can cheat and just play the F on that sylable but it sounds
flat by a half step. I have a pretty good ear but my music theory is limited
at best so please correct me if I'm wrong.

tom albanese

On Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 4:46 AM, Warren Bee <wlb@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

This song works perfect in first position. With tongue blocking effects it's
a blast to play and sounds real festive. Start on the 4th hole and let 'er
rip. This is one of my "signature" tunes that I always throw into gigs
especially in the spring when baseball fever is starting up. I have a good
friend high up in a New England company that is a big Red Sox supporter. He
swears he will get me a chance to play it at a Sox game at some point! That
song is so simple and perfect in first position I would be fearless in front
of 37K fans. Any other tune would probably freak me out but not "Ball Game".
The six draw is the "big flavor" note when you "buy me some popcorn or
crackerjack". That bend adds so much color to the line.

Tom, I have heard you play. You are awesome. Don't think too hard on this
one. You can tear it up if you just let the harp do the work. As far as
Peloquin's suggestion of 12th position, those left coast guys always wanna
mess with tradition! Take his advice on the heavy tunes. Let me help with
the light lifting! :-)

Warren Bee Seeing You in St. Louey

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