[Harp-L] Don Les on Youtube

[Tony Eyers <tony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

What a great discussion this great player has started.

I agree with Rick about arpeggios, and the fact that they are often 
overlooked by diatonic players, even very good ones.

So. Here is a challenge. Take out a diatonic, and, in first position, 
play the arpeggios for the following chords, over two octaves:

I, II, III, IV, V, VI

Then, again with two octave arpeggios, try the following 1st position 
combinations:

I, IV, V, I
I, II, V, I
I, VI, IV, V, I
I, III, IV, V, I

No overblows needed.

How did we go? Despite much practice over the years, I still struggle 
with these.

Now then. Put a metronome on it. How fast before you fall off? Again, 
I'm in the "more work needed" category.

If you're an advanced diatonic player, and can rattle these off, as Don 
Les could, then I raise my hat. However, if you struggle with these, 
then, to be frank, you don't have total command of the instrument.

Also his passages often contain thirds scales, or parts thereof. If 
you're not sure what I mean by a thirds scale, the following will 
explain it: http://www.harmonicaacademy.com/categories/20101101_1

So. Starting at the bottom hole, in first position, play a thirds scale 
over two octaves. Then try it at high speed. Accurate bends are one of 
the challenges here.

These two basic music elements, thirds scales and arpeggios, were 
fundamental to Don Les's style, and, quite obviously, he had mastered 
them. Buddy Greene is another player  who seems to have mastered these 
elements. Howard Levy, of course, no doubt others on the list.

Any good classical player (piano, violin, flute) masters these scales 
and arpeggios as a matter of course during their training. Many of us 
diatonic players, myself included, have work to do.

At least, if we want to sound like Don Les.

Tony Eyers
Australia
www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
...everyone plays