RE: [Harp-L] Advice PLEASE

[Tom Ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

No need for butterflies, Mike, you'll do just fine. Remember that the 
greatest of all the blues guitar/harp duos (Brownie & Sonny, Cephas & 
Wiggins, Sleepy John Estes & Hammie Nixon, Johnny Shines & Horton, 
etc etc) all featured a harp player who -- like yourself -- played 
almost entirely second-position diatonic.

My only advice would be to play with restraint: keep to low-volume 
backup chords and rhythm chops during the vocals, play some (but not 
all) of the fills between the vocals, and rely on visual cues (nods, 
etc) as to when to take your solos. Most blues guitarists live in E 
and A (more open strings for them,) so dust off your A & D harps. You 
probably won't be expected to play in Eb, Bb, C#, etc.  Also make 
sure you're **really well** in tune (but then you knew that already.) 
:)

Good luck, have fun and let us know how it comes out!

cheers,
Tom Ball



Hello all,
 I just got a call yesterday to accompany a local blues legend at a 
local University tomorrow at noon. He will be playing electric guitar 
through an amp, and I will accompany him on amplified harmonica. I've 
fronted my own blues band for close to eight years now. I can handle 
that job pretty well, with the vast majority of my playing consisting 
of second position diatonic. I have never had a gig in a duet 
scenario, and am feeling pretty intimidated by the whole thing. This 
player is a local legend, is the real deal, and I don't want to let 
him down. He has heard me play many times, and sits in with my band 
when ever he is somewhere we are playing, so I guess he knows what 
he's getting. Does anybody have any advice for me to help me through 
this first time experience. By the way, no set list, or any idea what 
we are going to play. He said we will keep it simple :) Thanx in 
advance for any, and all advice!

          With butterflies in my stomach,

               Mike