RE: [Harp-L] The principles of backing

["steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK... that is the million-dollar question and any helpful hints on that 
are what I always look for here on Harp-L.   I played harp in a local 
trio for about 3 years after I retired, mostly country/country rock 
stuff.
The singer/songwriter who headed the group wanted to put together a CD 
of his original material so we had a friend record us. (He was very good 
at digital recording on  his computer.)
After we finished, I felt reasonably good about my part. A year later, 
revisiting the CD, I wish I had played less on most cuts.  It's so  hard 
to not play much, but the "less is more" theory seems to work, at least 
in recordings.
  With country music, which I have played a lot on bass guitar, I try 
to find little fillls in the space between lyric lines, sometimes chord 
a bit, take a solo where it seems appropriate.   I don't think there is 
any right way. If you find it, you should write a book.
Steve Webb in Minnesota


On Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 2:35 PM, martin oldsberg wrote:

> Outside of blues, the art of accompagn --... accompany -- ... accomp 
> ...-- eh, BACKING with a harmonica is a bit tricky, I find. ItÂs not 
> exactly easy in blues, but taken for granted in a sense that makes it 
> easier; the genre is to an extent defined by that wailing harp.ÂJazz 
> is also straightforward: youÂre in on the arrangement and when your 
> time comes you play 84 choruses, end of story.
> Â But outside of that, what, when to play?
> Â Lately IÂve been trying to figure out ways to add something to stuff 
> thatÂs in the pop/rock/country genres without being all over the place 
> all the time. IÂve been jamming with a bunch of guysÂwho has "too many 
> guitars" and IÂm trying not to hurt anyones feelings, as well as being 
> keen on, as I said "adding" something to the band, not just "too many 
> notes". (A true sign of the beginner is that heÂs playing almost 
> incessantly. Been there done that. Long time ago.)
> Â Also IÂve been looking for Country bands with a harp to take some 
> cues from but it appears as if thereÂs only one (1)Âof thoseÂwith a 
> regular harmonica player (?). Elderly gentleman is bandleader, long 
> hair, sings and plays guitar and has a reputed propensity for smoked 
> vegetables; the harmonica player in that band OTOH isÂvery present. 
> IÂd say Mickey R is in a sense defining the sound of the band/lead 
> singer.
> Â (Country music is clearly not a very band-, but individual performer 
> oriented musical genre. Interesting in itself, but skip that.)
> Â
> Generally, what I find is best -- if there arenÂt any obligatos/riffs 
> that falls naturally -- is to use some chorus, and stay mostly on 
> discreet octave playing. Not so much on the tonic note, but more on 
> III or V. This gives the accordion touch, which can be nice, but 
> (cf.Âa recent Dylan record) it can take over as well.
> Â Sometimes I donÂt play anything at all --Âsolo excepted --Âapart 
> from a brief riff, or an occasional fill. However, in a jamming 
> context -- or live for that matter -- this leaves you just standing 
> there for long periods of time,Âtrying to look as if you have 
> something to do, but possibly just looking ...Âsuperflous or stupid. 
> (Of course you can always bring a book, or, as Coltrane, take a nap.)
> Â
> How do you, who sometimes ventures outside of blues, go about with 
> this? I know of the usual suspects when it comes to band with a 
> harmonica (as well as Hazmat Modine!), and an earlier thread on the 
> list provided me with some additional names, for which IÂm grateful, 
> so IÂm more looking for general principles or ideas here. Links if 
> possible are appreciated. (jeez ... tall order.)
> Â
> Thanks,
> Martin