[Harp-L] Re: Bluegrass harmonica: Wakefield and Weiser on You

["Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Message: 8
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 04:54:15 -0800 (PST)
From: David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Bluegrass harmonica: Wakefield and Weiser on You
Tube
To: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <259705.46179.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Yeah, I watched that, but I didn't see Glenn Weiser in it. I mean, there was 
a harmonica player, but he didn't have a ponytail, so it can't be Glenn. 
Whoever this clean-cut guy is that's saying he's you, did very well. I play 
this style of music ALL the time, have been for years. I gotta say this guy 
has some notion of what a bluegrass rhythm is, I couldn't tell you how many 
harp players show up with bluegrassers and noodle around all over the place 
on rhythm. This guy who says he's you hits the 2 and 4, like he's supposed 
to.
-----------------------------
Dave-I didn't recognize myself either. I thought I still had long brown 
hair-something must have happened. But my wife was there and she says that's 
me. I believe her.-GW
--------------------------

How long does this guy keep up that rhythm? All night? Couple of songs? That 
incessant chop, chop, chop, chop, chop will kill you on the harp by the end 
of a set. What I do is hit the 2s and 4s in a patterns, like six beats on, 
two beats off, so it doesn't kill me. That is the greatest secret of 
bluegrass harmonica I have ever unlocked... the pattern I play depends on 
what the rhythm guitar is doing. It also gives a little Monrovian feel, if 
you listen closely to his mandolin rhythm, you notice he doesn't chop the 
mandolin in every measure.

---------------

Good tip-I'll remember that. I sat in for three songs with Frank, but I've 
kept that 2-4 thing for long periods in the past. Never knew there was an 
easier way-GW

____________

Sitting On Top of the World is a perfect example of how close the ties of 
blues and bluegrass are, or were. It's an old Walter Jacobs blues song that 
Bill Monroe recorded a couple years after Sonny Terry did. When Monroe did 
it in 1957, it became a bluegrass standard. It's one of NUMEROUS bluegrass 
songs that are actually 12 bar or 8 bar blues songs.
____________
Sitting on Top was first recorded by the Missisippi Sheiks circa1927, 
fyi._GW.
__________________________

Back to the harp playing, the leads were perfectly constructed. Started off 
with a familiar phrase of the song, goes into a little wildness, then ends 
with a tag that resolves the solo and intros the next guy's solo.

That's solid bluegrass.
_____________
Dave-You're too kind. Thanks. Glenn

________________

Dave

Dave Payne Sr.
Elk RIver Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com