Re: [Harp-L] 1st blues improv. video

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

While I agree with the Iceman in this specific case, I would also say that the oft-stated rule of "Lower Draw 3 on the IV chord" did not come down from the mount with Moses engraved on a stone tablet.

Little Walter broke this "rule" to wonderful effect. Just listen to the second verse of "Off the Wall" (about 27 seconds into the tune) for a good example. In the verses before and after, he does bend the Draw 3 down on the IV chord, but on this one he doesn't (he also plays it as part of a Draw 3-4 warble, creating a different texture from the isolated bent notes in the surrounding verses). The guitar player isn't playing the chord note that would cause this to clash, and Walter uses it as an opportunity to create a contrast by not bending the note.

Winslow
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
Columnist, harmonicasessions.com


________________________________
From: The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>
To: dcarter@xxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 8:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 1st blues improv. video

great first salvo.


You've got the mature approach to keep your ideas short....with nice spaces (or pauses) in between the ideas. Your timing is pretty good, noticeable in the chord/vamp sections.


One thing to BEWARE and that is playing the 3 hole inhale over the IV chord. Try to lower that note to the 1st inhale bend.


No matter how great you sound at any level, playing open 3 hole over IV chord in blues usually deducts 20 points from your overall impression as a blues harmonica player.


-----Original Message-----
From: dcarter <dcarter@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Sep 28, 2011 6:30 am
Subject: [Harp-L] 1st blues improv. video


Hello harp-l'ers, uploaded my first fully improvised blues tune. Won't
knock your socks off, but; it's all me. I still find this improvising to
be pretty tough, just gotta keep work'n on it. Feel free to share any
comments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB3g1Ay8XIE Keep on harp'n,
Duane