Re: [Harp-L] Best chromatic blues songs...

["Michael Polesky, MPA" <m.polesky@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

I thought this was a cool recording. This is a nice example of "2nd 
position" on chromatic.  The tune sits in G and he plays it mostly in the 
minor blues "mode" (G, A, Bb, C, D, E & F).  However, he switches to a B 
natural occasionally and trills between the 5th and 7th of the G chord 
(holes 5 & 6 draw) as well, the way you would use whole 3 unbent or trill 
between holes 4 & 5 on a diatonic.  G (2nd position) is a great key to play 
chromatic blues on.  My favorite keys are G, C, F, Bb, Eb and Ab.  Ab is a 
much maligned key (curs you Ab haters!) which is really just like 2nd 
position, hole 3 to 7, diatonic blues with all the extra notes you get in 
that area - including bends - with good harmony as well.

As for the tone, this a player who has likely been influenced by Stevie 
Wonder's playing.  It is not the instrument that gets that wonderful vibrato 
it definitely is the player.  The way to learn to do this is to practice 
your vibrato daily.  Don't be afraid if you use different techniques for 
vibrato on the draw notes than the blow - this is more common than most 
players will admit.  While most players use extremely similar techniques for 
blow and draw they are, in a certain way "different animals".  Then get the 
"Eivets Rednow" recording and learn the tunes by ear.  After that, practice 
to the CD (or after having listened to the CD) daily for about 10 years. 
After that, you can call me in the morning ;-).

All said and done, this is clearly a player who has gone beyond the 3rd 
position blues and also a player with terrific tone.  For anyone who plays 
diatonic, the ability to play in this key on chromatic is, literally, "built 
in" to your understanding of blues diatonic.  The extra C on the chromatic 
is a pain - but not undefeatable.  I have had a lot of success teaching 
diatonic players chrom blues by starting in the key of G.

Anybody know any more recordings by Billy Lightcap?

Michael

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Merola" <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 9:53 AM
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Best chromatic blues songs...


> Rick
> Yes quirky, but I must say it's a nice change of pace from "I woke up this
> morning" etc.  I like the guitar work as well.
> He's got a Hohner HardBopper with an acrylic comb. Also a black 16 hole
> which I assume is a Super64X.
> Steve Merola
>
> Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:23:13 +1100
> From: "Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Best chromatic blues songs...
> To: "Steve Merola" <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx>, <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <49A2DB80.7C8A.0066.0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>
> Steve;
>          Pretty quirky songwriter...I like his chrom. playing though. He
> seems to be getting some big vibrato. Know what sort of harp he's using? I
> can't see any of my chromatics allowing that kind of vibrato. Is it
> something I haven't tried, like a 'Slideharp', or some such?
> Thanks for this.
> RD
>
> > > > Steve Merola <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx> 21/02/2009 7:46 >>>
> Hello Harp-l
>
> There's some very original, bluesy chromatic stuff at this link. The 
> artist
> is Billy Lightcap <http://www.myspace.com/billylightcap>
> Not traditional, but bluesy nonetheless. Especially "Drunk & 
> Brokenhearted".
>
> Steve Merola
>
> <http://www.myspace.com/billylightcap>
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