Hey, Sonic Junction -
This week I'm back with the second half of verse one of "Crawlin' Kingsnake". In this lesson, we'll pick it up with a little conjunctive Sonnyboy 1 lick that makes good use of the 2 draw/3 blow push/pull effect. After that, on the IV change, there's some "intentional slop" or double-stops, and some nice, dramatic sounding "ugly" bends on 3 draw. On the V change and on out, we're doing a very vocal sounding Sonnyboy 1, hand effects lick on the 4th hole draw that features some gradual bending. All this will make more sense once you hear it and start groovin' with it - when you're feelin' it and having fun with it yourself!
Rick Estrin
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues
Print Chords & Tab
G Harp in the Key of D.
Loop 0:30 Run-Through of First Verse
Loop 1:07 Breakdown of 2nd Half of First Verse
Loop 11:02 V Change Breakdown
Loop 14:28 Whole First Verse Together
Loop 15:33 Slow Practice Loop of 2nd Half of First Verse
Loop 16:24 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Hi Rick! I love this lesson! Just wondeing are u still tongue blocking when u dend notes? It's so hard to do that!
Hi Chuck - Yes, I am tongue blocking when I bend notes, and it's not as hard as you think. The pressure change that occurs inside your mouth is pretty much the same, whether you're tongue blocking or lipping. I'm trying both as I write this, and it seems like when lipping and bending, the front of my tongue drops down in my mouth. When I'm tongue blocking and bending, the back part of my tongue drops. Keep experimenting with it. Don't get discouraged. Once you get it, it'll be easy. Remember, the pressure in your mouth is the same. It'll all make sense once you get the adjustments inside your mouth dialed in.
Hi Rick !! I really have to use finesse when I do 2 draw/3 blow push / pull combo , because right now I m slapping too hard on the 3 blow and doesn t do the sound I m looking for ... really hard to make "resonate" the harp properly !! there s so much in the shaping of Notes !!
Like you're finding out, if you slap too hard, it takes you out of the groove. I'm really trying to capture the feel of John Lee (Sonnyboy) Williamson when I work that 2 draw/3 blow device. Just stick with it - Get comfortable with it. As you relax into it, I think it'll start feeling and sounding more like what you want.
Yesss Man !! you re so logical when you play ... Now it make sense to me ... easier to be in the "Groove" ... Thanks Again Rick !!
Hi Rick !! I m I right ?? after the wha wha at 13:25 rather than 2D3B2D ... you just do 2D and Blow Chord and 3 Blow tongue block .
Exactly right! Good ear, Andre!
to me ... the 2 draw 3 tongue block blow ans 2 draw is the "slingshot " to the "Slops " just after and if I m not able to do it right ?!! the Slops is without caracter !! will take a lot of time to do it Right !!
That's right - and when the SBW1 style, 2 draw/3 blow push/pull combo is used properly, it'll help keep the groove "in the pocket".
Thanks very much for the encouraging feedback Rick.
Will work on my relaxing! 😄
Hope you're managing to find silver linings amongst the virus lockdown clouds. 🙂
Thanks Nick - The silver lining hasn't quite revealed itself yet, but I'm fine and having no problem staying busy. I'm fortunate to have a comfortable situation where "sheltering in place" isn't too stressful. Take care. Stay safe and healthy!
Hi Nick! Great job of absolutely nailing the breathing mechanics. Once you relax into the groove a little more, it'll be just about perfect! Keep up the excellent work!
Coo!!!
Hi Rick !! thank you and that s what I thought !! exactly what I thought ... what a relief !! thanks Rick !!
next ... you will laugh a lot !! .... because I will sing , Hahaha
thanks again !!
That s an attemp of the begining of the song ... I d like to know if the sliding from the 4 blow to the 2 and 3 blow tongue block and back to 2 draw it s Ok ?? and any comments or everything will be appreciated ... Thanks
Hey Andre, You're really doing that lick! You have all the parts down pretty well, now if you can relax and just feel the groove a little more, the whole thing will start to sound right!
to me right now .... slidin' down from the 4 hole blow to the 2 hole draw and up to the 3 hole blow tongue block and back down to the 2 hole draw again ... that s the "real" deal !! and I m not there yet ... but the way I ear you do it and the way it make me feel ... Rick ... Wow ... that s why I love the Blues !!
It's great that you're feeling it, Andre!
If you go back and listen to his old recordings, you can hear many examples of the first Sonnyboy, John Lee Williamson, use variations of that same lick. Keep up the good work!!!
the real stuff. thanks a million Rick!
Glad you're diggin it, Gordi!
I can only hold the harp with one hand because of a disability. Any hints on how to most effectively attack the wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah on the V chord change without being able to cup? Or modify the lick?
Thanks.
Hi Dave - If you look up some of my other acoustic lessons (Sonnyboy's Groove would be one example) you should be able to find spots where I demonstrate the way many of the the hand effects are actually a combination of hand and mouth effects. You should definitely be able to shape notes to a certain extent using only your mouth. Also (I think I may have suggested this before) check out Big John Wrencher - He was a great, one-armed harp player with an awesome tone. Keep at it and let me know how it's coming along!
it make sense !! But you do it so subtle that I thought at some place it was pursed lip ...
thank you Rick!!
Hi Rick !! I d like to know ?? when you do the "ghost" note on the 3 hole blow at 1 min 7 sec is it tongue block or purse lips ?? I think at different place in the lesson you do it tongue block and some time purse lips ?? does it matter ?? I d like to know for the "effect" is it better to do it tongue block ?? i d like to have your tought on this ...
André
I'm tongue blocking it. I can't think of anywhere in the song where I would lip that 3 hole blow. It wouldn't make sense to switch.
This is really a fun tune to learn I like it
Cool! Glad it's got you excited about playing!