[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 107, Issue 30

[patpowers <patpowers@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Sam,

I thought your harp playing was really good, nice runs, bends, and overblows -- but the song lacked structure and could use more "build" and accentuation on the changes.  Hold back a little at the beginning, build to a crescendo, and then play your butt off at that point.  Then, maybe drop down again and give the bass and drums a little taste.  You want to get the audiences attention, and then take them on a roller coaster ride, build them up, take 'em down, raise 'em up again, knock 'em down, etc... play with their emotions and tug at their heart-strings -- that's the blues!

You could use a 4th piece as well, either a piano or a guitar, to sustain the rythym section and accentuate builds, drops, and chops.  It's hard for a bass player to hold the rythym section together by himself behind a solo instrument like harp, especially on an un-amplified acoustic bass.  I would say either mic the bass or put a transducer pickup in it, add a 4th player to support the structure, and give everybody a little spotlight time, even if it's just a quick nod and a hook. Show off your talents, and then show off your band as well. ..sell it all!

I hope this feedback helps.


Best Regards,
Pat Powers

-------- original message -------------
From: "Sam Friedman"  <sammyasher@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Tuesday, July  24, 2012 4:25:04 PM 
Subject: [Harp-L] "All Blues" - Sam Friedman  

Hey all, 

Here's a recent video of my trio playing All Blues.  Unfortunately the 
sound quality isn't great, so I recommend/encourage you  to listen with 
good 
speakers or headphones to be able to hear the bass  well. Let me know what 
you think! 

-Sam  


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwu3AZG_47k&feature=youtu.be