Hey Sonic Junction -
In this first lesson on my version of SBW II’s “Fattening Frogs For Snakes”, I demonstrate and explain the harp in the introduction and the fills in the first verse. We’ll be covering chord support, hand effects, note shaping and developing your inner metronome. These are all essential tools that’ll set you up for future success on your blues harp journey, so put in the work this week - You’ll be glad you did.
Rick Estrin
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues
Print Chords & Tab
Bb Harp in the Key of F.
Loop 0:00 Introduction to Fattening Frogs for Snakes
Loop 2:27 Breakdown of Intro
Loop 7:45 1st Riff, 1st Verse
Loop 8:40 2nd Riff, 1st Verse
Loop 10:56 3rd Riff, 1st Verse
Loop 12:47 Turnaround Breakdown
Loop 14:00 Practice Loop
Loop 14:56 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Hey Rick-I'm pretty new to sonic junction and I'm really getting alot out of your lessons. I've seen you play a few times and have much respect. I bought your DVD and its had a big influence on my playing. Im really getting how much of the stuff that looks easy is so complex when you dig into it. I guess a lot of things in life are like that.
Thanks again.
Absolutely - The details are the things that make one sound “official“ ;-)
If I'm hearing and counting correctly, you're coming in from the V, right? It's confusing because 6 blow is a strange note for the V. Do you tell the band to come in from the V?
It’s just an intro. It could be coming from the V or not. If there was accompaniment on the intro, there’s a chance I might have picked another note, but I was just thinking of it as an intro.
Great lesson It’s a very fun lesson and a lot to learn
Thanks Boyd - I’m real glad you’re enjoying it!
Thanks Rick. I love the focus on the little things. The in-between bits seem to give a lot of character while keeping the groove. Loving this series!
Thanks Eric - I’m glad you’re diggin it. I really believe the licks alone don’t sound “official“ if people overlook the details.
Yeh. I guess it's just a cool variation. No need for theory but I figured I'd ask. I think I probably learned that 2-3 blow combo from you and it's pretty much part of my vocab now.
OK, I'm going to take you up on the offer. At several points you're going down from the root, either 3-blow or 2-draw, to the 5 of the scale on the 1 draw. Sometimes you go 3-blow, 2-blow, 1-draw, and sometimes you go 2-draw, 2-draw-whole-step-bend, 1-draw. It's a subtle difference in the sound of it, tonally I guess you'd say. The 2-blow, which I guess is the 6 of the scale, has a more country feel to my ear while the 2-draw-bend, which is the flat7 has a bluesier feel. It's sometimes hard to hear these little differences when you're listening to a recording made 50 years ago. Is there any rationale for when to use one or the other?
I’m probably mostly using the 3 blow, 2 blow, 1 draw sequence for the tag at the end of the verse. I play that tag like that simply ‘cause I hear Rice Miller do it, using those notes in that sequence. I also do it like that ‘cause I don’t hear many other people play that tag in that way - even when they’re approximating SBW2’s style. Generally, and especially with Rice Miller’s style, my approach is more from feel, instinct and habit than it is from conscious, theoretical intent. SBW2 sometimes used the 2 draw to the bent 2 draw to the 1 draw to end a verse, in a variation of that tag. I’m not sure I even answered your question - Maybe a more honest answer would’ve been, I don’t know. For some reason, in my mind, using that 2 blow in that lick really makes it feel like it’s definitely the end of the verse.
This is definitely the shizzle:)
So many little things I would never have picked up just listening to the performance. Thanks.
Glad you’re diggin‘ it, Bill. And you’re right, there’re a lot of small details - As always, feel free to ask me about about anything.
This is definitely the shizzle:)
So many little things I would never have picked up just listening to the performance. Thanks.
Your right their is alot of good stuff in here, the more I work on it the more I get out of it. Great lesson
Love the Iintroduction to Introduction to Fattening Frogs for Snake. I don't sing it's pretty bad
Don’t worry about not singing, Boyd. Stick with it. There’s plenty of valuable harp stuff in this series.