Re: [Harp-L] Blues Backing Tracks for a Female Vocalist (Wannabe)?

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

The best ultimate solution is the one suggested by Patrick. 

The easiest fretted instrument to learn and the least costly to buy is the Ukulele.  It is used frequently by bluesman Peter "Madcat' Ruth. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oCDhGX2JXc

 However, learning to play a fretted instrument may be more effort than you wish to expend.  

Using "Band in a Box" or "Garage Band" (Mac) software, you can easily create your own practice/backing tracks.  You can choose a key to put  any song within your vocal range. 

Vern

On Nov 9, 2010, at 9:14 AM, Patrick Killeen wrote:

> 
>> The global problem is identifying suitable blues songs for my range, 
>> skill level (and the skill level of the band I jam with on Tuesday 
>> nights), with female-centric or androgynous lyrics, learning to sing 
>> them without benefit of a band to practice with, and be able to 
>> communicate enough about the song and its structure to the band when I 
>> want to *sing* this song at my local jam.
>> 
>> I would love to hear what has worked for others of you when you were 
>> learning to add vocals to your harp performances.
>> 
>> Many thanks.
>> Elizabeth (aka "Tin Lizzie")
> 
> My solution to a similar problem was to learn to accompany my self with 
> mandolin (after deciding that the world didn't need yet another guitarist), 
> I later switched to Irish bouzouki which has a much deeper tone making 
> it more suitable for accompanying singing.
> 
> Being able to accompany myself made it much easier for me to practice
> and to play at open mic nights.
> 
> Patrick
>