Re: [Harp-L] Background (Rhythm) harmonica

[Jp Pagán <jplpagan@xxxxxxx>]

Hey Phil,

Madcat IS an amazing rhythm player. Saw him at SPAH last year, and  
what he does with just a harp and a foot cymbal is very impressive.  
However, I think we're dealing with different meaning of rhythm here.  
The original question was about rhythm playing in terms of background  
(or back-up) playing (i.e., rhythm guitar, the rhythm section, etc).  
But Madcat (from what I know of his playing) is more focused on  
playing rhythms on his harmonica (i.e., train songs, Old Lost John,  
etc). Granted, these two can come together in duo's like Madcat & Kane  
(also excellent!!) and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, but they are  
pretty particular to a style of music. I guess to be fair I shouldn't  
draw too hard a line between the two types of "rhythm playing" but I  
think it's useful to point out the difference between the two types of  
playing, even when a player like Madcat bridges the gap. Little  
Walter, for example, is solidly on the side of being a good backup  
player, but isn't the first person we'd think of when trying to find  
players who use rhythmic playing like Madcat does.


ANYWAY... go get yourselves some Madcat, y'all!



--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Phillip Franklin <pbf@...>  
wrote:
>
> I'm surprised no one has mentioned Madcat Ruth.  He's all about  
rhythm playing -- he's even got a DVD out on playing rhythm  
harmonica.  It's high on my wish list right now.
>
>
> -Phil "trying to find the groove" in KC
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jp Pagán <jplpagan@...>
> To: harp-l@...
> Sent: Friday, May 1, 2009 8:22:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Background (Rhythm) harmonica
>
> Don't confuse rhythm playing with chordal playing. Even rhythm  
guitarists don't spend all of their time playing chords. Or think of  
the bass, which is a rhythm instrument, yet not a chordal one. For  
specific harmonica tips, listen to the great backup harp players:  
Little Walter playing behind Muddy Waters, or Kim Wilson playing  
behind Jimmy Rogers. There's many others, but even if you just listen  
to these two, you'll learn there's alot you can play that ain't chords.
>
> -Jp
>
> --- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Candace R. Meyer" <hqr@>  
wrote:
> >
> > Rhythm on the diatonic harmonica is easier when the notes are  
there as
> > given--without a bend.
> > Not too many chords (triads) on the standard tuned harmonica.
> > I like to retune 'em.
> > What do y'all do? Play diads?
> > Gary in San Diego
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> > Harp-L@
> > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@...
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@...
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>