[Harp-L] The principles of backing

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Gary says: Chords provide the best backing.

Of course, there's no right or wrong to this , but I don't  
necessarily agree. If you try to play chords, you have all the  
limitations discussed in Gary's post and that assumes that you are  
playing material with a I-IV-V progression in first or second  
position.  But what if the tune is not I-IV-V and/or what if you are  
not using first or second position?  The options for playing chords  
become even more restricted, and actually you can't fit in on a lot  
of material that's otherwise playable on diatonic harmonica if you  
start trying to play chords.

Arpeggios (which I've been meaning to sit down an learn) are one  
option,  Other short repeating riffs (with variations) also can work.

It's really true that what you DON'T play is as important or more  
important than what you do play.  i've been actively working on  
playing with more economy--you know, the less is more approach.   
Anyway, one thing I've been doing regularly is laying out on the turn  
around on certain tunes (the V change).  The usual approach is to  
sort of crescendo on the turn around, but a lot of times laying out  
and letting the other instruments flow creates tension/anticipation  
and makes the harp all that much more welcome and effective when it  
comes back in.  Also, the other musicians often do some really  
interesting things on the turn around if i shut up and stay out of  
their way. But, YMMV.  Just  an idea, FWIW.

JP