Hey Sonic Junction -
Rick Estrin back with you again and this time out I put together a shuffle piece I'm calling "Half Steppin" - In this set of lessons, the focus is split between zeroing in on some half-step and whole step bends, and (as always) developing a deeper pocket, groove-wise. The aim of the bending aspect of this series is to improve control and pitch accuracy on the bends and the focus on groove is about what it's always about - Making your playing sound alive! Have fun and remember, when you're really groovin, groove harder!
Rick
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
key of E
Chicago Blues
A Harp
Rick Estrin
A Harp in the Key of E.
Loop 0:15 Whole Performance
Loop 0:15 First Chorus
Loop 0:43 Second Chorus
Loop 1:08 Third Chorus
Loop 1:32 Fourth Chorus
Loop 1:56 Fifth Chorus
Loop 2:19 Sixth Chorus
Loop 2:43 Seventh Chorus
Loop 3:07 Eighth Chorus
Comments
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thank you Mike !!
Hi Rick and Larry !! any comments ??
wow. You really are improving....you still KILL me with that tongue switch at the end! Something I can't do!
Once again, the "chording" behind the groove could be a little less volume making the lead lines stand out more, but it is better than that last video. When your lead line goes down to those lowest holes, the chording sounds a little blurred.
Your control on that 3 hole inhale is very very good - you are hitting the correct pitches dead on most of the time. The 2 hole inhale full bend still needs a bit of work - sometimes you come up just a little to sharp in pitch, but other times it is deep enough. Try to work on the consistency. If you spend 5 minutes/day for 2 weeks on nothing but the 2 hole inhale bend - down to the floor and back up slowly - it should solve this issue.
Overall, you are doing great! keep it up. tres bien!
Great playing!
Boyd.....everyone learns at different speeds and starts at different points. I suggest you set metronome to where you can easily play along, and then start to increase it slowly until you get to the point where you struggle a bit. Leave it there until it becomes easy and then repeat!
Great advice, Larry!
I'm still working Half stepping.Attempting to work more on my timing. it's like learning all over again. What should I set my metronome at
Hey Boyd - It's just like what Larry said, find the speed that feels comfortable, then as you perfect the licks and the feel, you can speed it up.
What a fun tune, got to work on this one again
Cool. There’s always new things to hear when you go back and listen with fresh ears!
HELP: I can't find the backing track anymore... a few month ago, I was listening to it, so it does exist, where has he gone?????? How will I play if my solo guitarist has disapeared? I can't get back the money for my concert audience coming soon!!
Thanks :)
Sorry Tomi - I’ll look into this. Hopefully the tech guys at SJ will straighten it out.
Hi Tominou -- the backing track is still up -- the play button in the upper right corner.
Perhaps you are using a different / new device such as an iPad, smartphone or other tablet?
Ooooops! I come back on Sonic after a long break, I was looking for the backing track at the item "background listening"! Now you have a good idea of my english talent! Sorry, and thank you.
Thanks Rick and Larry. So much great music to listen to!
WAY too much for one lifetime!
Hi Rick,
This tune just makes me grin ear to ear - I love it.
I'm curious what sax players you love. Who should I listen to to soak up more of this kind of groove?
Thanks,
Bill
Glad you're diggin the song, Bill. When I think about it, the head was probably inspired (or lifted from) Jimmy Reed's Boogie In The Dark. What I'm playing is kind of an approximation, combining his harp part with Eddie Taylor's part. The rest of the song is mostly just big band-type riffs. If you want to hear that kind of stuff, Count Basie's a good place to start. Other than that, I like a whole bunch of sax players. A few of my favorites would be, Willis Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, Lockjaw Davis, Jimmy Forrest and bunch of other guys - mostly guys who spanned the big band and soul jazz eras.
Stanley Turrenting with Shirley Scott Organ Trio is another example of fat greasy groove. Jimmy Forrest is also one of my fav's - check out The Honeydripper recording with Jack McDuff.
I like these sax players for ideas that translate real well to diatonic harmonica.
https://youtu.be/7iYKyCLxxWA
For sure, I hear 2 harps playing together in this song...Rick, not any man is able to do all that staff alone... a good news: he will give us his secret in a few time!
This is the "magic" of the groove. It sounds like two harps, but is really one harmonica playing both "rhythm guitar" as well as "lead guitar".
Tongue blocking has a lot to do with creating that impression of 2 harps. Just remember, if any of this was really difficult, I couldn't do it!
Total honey drippin' groove. As a matter of fact, I developed my own basic "groove" sound, but apparently I have been insiduously influenced by Mr. Estrin (having listened to his music for over 20 years), as what I thought of as my own basic groove is sure evident in the opening measures of this great learning song. Since Rick is OLDER than me, I guess it was his personal groove sound first and I stole, uh, borrowed it (unbeknownst to me, that is).
Anyways, it sure is infectuous!
Hey Larry - I stole it from somewhere myself. I'm just too old to remember where I got it.
Some Good weeks are coming... yehaa! ,-)