Re: [Harp-L] My first solo harmonica set

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

Since you solicited commentsâ.

I found the fill chords between phrases annoying.  It was jarringly apparent apparent that you were playing the chords that are available on the D harp and not the sophisticated harmony that Ellington composed. To an ear less attuned to harmony, it was probably a really good performance.  This sort of thing underlies my aversion to unaccompanied harmonica.  In my opinion, the tolerance of an audience for unaccompanied harmonica (or any monophonic instrument) is limited to one song.  I would have been gone long before 20 minutes.

I suggest that you play the harp on a rack and the chords on your guitar.

I expect to be lectured and plead guilty to being closed-minded about harmony.   With melody and rhythm, it is an essential 1/3 of music, especially in songs like this one.

There is no accounting for taste.
  
Vern

> On Nov 3, 2014, at 6:30 PM, Steve Marchena <slidelicks@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 
> Iâm primarily a guitarist, but after suffering a ruptured tendon last summer, I devoted a couple months almost exclusively to the harmonica. 
> 
> Last Saturday Night, I devoted the final 20 minutes of a 2 hour guitar program to a solo harmonica set.
> 
> On âDonât Get Around Much Anymoreâ, I played a Golden Melody in D into a âBottle oâ Bluesâ Microphone through an RP 360 running Richard Hunterâs AWESOME GA40 patch, into the house PA.
> 
> I know I need to work on my intonation, vibrato and just getting around the instrument in general.
> 
> Please let me know what you think. Constructive and destructive criticism are both welcome!
> 
> Here is the link:
> 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4QhPFEahSI&feature=youtu.be