Beings of Sonic Junction - welcome back to the next chorus (Chorus 3) of my new study song "Buffle Off To Shuffalo". This week there is still plenty of shuffle rhythming going on, as well as some nice long drawn-out and distorted wails on the 5 draw, and some shuffle rhythm phrasing towards the end of the chorus. Remember, working on your timing and rhythmic chops is essential, and I'll also remind you that you should be working on just keeping rhythm with a metronome for part of your practice routine. It will not only help with this song, but it will help with your timing as a musician, which will help you with everything you play!
So don't forget to get your metronome out (or get one of you don't already have one) and satrt shuffling! Oh wait, I mean get Buffling!
See you next time - Dennis Gruenling
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:Technique
C Harp
Key of G
Dennis Gruenling
Buffle Off To Shuffalo
Print Chords & Tab
C Harp in the Key of G.
Loop 0:00 Third Chorus of Buffle Off to Shuffalo
Loop 0:41 Introduction to Lesson
Loop 1:02 Third Chorus Acoustically
Loop 1:33 Breakdow of First Riff
Loop 2:45 Breakdown of First Riff Variation
Loop 2:56 Practice Loop of First 4 Bars
Loop 3:30 IV Chord Breakdown
Loop 4:39 I Chord Riff (Repeat of First Riff)
Loop 5:07 Practice Loop of Bars 5 - 8
Loop 5:37 Practice Loop of First 8 Bars
Loop 6:06 V Chord Breakdown
Loop 7:16 IV Chord Breakdown
Loop 7:39 Practice Loop of V and IV Chord
Loop 8:07 Turnaround Breakdown
Loop 9:12 Practice Loop of Last 4 Bars
Loop 9:31 Slow Practice Loop of Third Chorus
Loop 10:44 Practice Loop of Third Chorus
Loop 11:21 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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I think what I like most about this style of playing is that you can easily play something like this without any other musicians or any accompaniment. The harmonica is active, and the chords are very present in all of your phrases, so you can play this and an audience would be able to keep the beat. That's at the heart of the blues, right? Just one or two dudes on the street with a harmonica and maybe a guitar, singing and playing?
Yes, that was a big point to this series...being able to make the groove and beat more present and obvious. I guess the heart of the blues is debatable, but expressing oneself is up there on the list for sure, as well as being able to move other people figuratively and literally. A strong beat will certainly help move them for sure!
Thanks for the detailed instructions on counting and the much needed encouragement--also for those suggestions to Bill Blatner about things like using the tip of the tongue in tongue blocking, playing with less air, etc. I've started a list of miscellaneous technique tips and plan to go over it every day....They're starting to add up to a harmonica course in themselves!
I love that stern taskmaster routine. Keep it up! Trouble is, working with the metronome doe
Love that stern taskmaster routine. Keep it up! Trouble is, my rhythm problems are so basic, that once that metronome starts clicking I get in such a muddle just trying to count that I spend an hour just counting and there's no time left to learn to play a single riff. Guess the solution is to face the fact that if I can't count and keep the rhythm, I'm not READY for the songs. But I'm dying to learn Buffle off to Shuffalo, Blue Strollin, Chicago Shuffle, Trill Seeker, etc. etc, ready or not. (sigh.......)
Ok...it can totally be frustrating, believe me I know! I went through learning this all by myself back in the day. Here are a few things you can work on that may help:
- when you listen to music (not practicing) just count along with the song to get in the habit of always keeping track of the beats and the timing/rhythm.
- when you attempt to practice this, start by doing so in small doses. Maybe count for a chorus or two along with a jam track, then play for one 12-bar chorus, then go back to counting along for a chorus, back to playing along for one, etc...
These things will take time, but I have seen them work if you stick with them! Remember - your timing and sense of rhythm is very important, even just to play single-note licks. So if you need work with this, you will be glad you did it, and it will improve EVERYTHING you do musically!
I think it's bars 5 and 6, when you go to the 4-chord, at the end of each bar you hit the 2-hole draw with a vibrato that so reminds me of Howlin' Wolf. I know I need to focus on the rhythm and getting the basic licks down first but that tone is irresistable.
Thanks Bill...yes, any vibrato or tremolo or effect like that is just added decoration which is nice, but of course always focus on the basics first. Anything else is just decoration.
You're a joy to listen to--and a very effective teacher, not afraid to nag when it's about something important. I really need those constant reminders about the metronome. If you didn't keep after me, I'd conveniently forget. Instead, whenever I start to play anything at all, even a scale, I hear that voice, like the voice of my conscience....and I get out the metronome! Thanks!
Glad to hear that I'm helping! (Get the metronome out) I hope you are doing well with this so far. (Get the metronome out) sometimes constant reminders are a pain, but they do help. (Get the metronome out) but I'll do my best not to be a nag! (Get the metronome out)