Re: [Harp-L] Jerry Reed,country harp.

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sean Stephens wrote:
<Hi all,
<I have been asked to accompany a friend on this classic tune.
<My question to any of you country minded players is, does one need a country tuned harp to play this as the late <Terry Mcmillan does so here, in terms of the backing/accompaniant?
<I am making a reasonable semblance of the fills/solo but find his chording quite difficult to follow.
<Any advice appreciated.BTW,I'm playing a stock marine band(D)2nd pos in A.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_h3E_wkYNo

Sean, I listened to this clip through McMillan's solo.  Without question, he is using a standard-tuned diatonic in the key of D on this piece up to that point.  I can hear the flatted seventh on the draw 5 reed very clearly towards the end of the solo.  By the way, he plays most of the piece in 5th position, which would be F# minor on a D harp.  If you're using an A harp instead of a D harp, that explains why you're having problems finding the chords.

Also interesting to note that Reed is using a chorus or a phase shifter on his guitar; it's a nice effect that makes his acoustic guitar stand out from the others in the mix.  His playing is on-target too; those country players put most rockers to shame when it comes to handling their axes.  That's one thing that hasn't changed in the decades since this video was made.

Regards, Richard Hunter




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