Re: [Harp-L] Stevie Wonder harmonica

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Hale wrote:
<CHROMATIC
<I have read that some of Stevie's hits were recorded on chromatics with the
<slide paddle reversed, so that the momentary touch of the slide lowered a
<pitch half-step rather than raise it. The song would be recorded in C# (for
<example) and any slide notes are half-step below. Makes a very flowing
<grace note, like stride piano glancing off of the black keys. 

I've transcribed a number of Stevie's solos, and I've never encountered one where the slide was reversed.  If you can cite a specific example, please do.

The flowing grace notes you refer to are certainly part of Stevie's style, and are done with the slide.  However, when the grace notes are lower in pitch, it's likely that Stevie started the note with the slide in and released the slide to drop the pitch.  He does that in sharped keys frequently; "For Once In My Life" (F#) has numerous examples.

Thanks, RH



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