Hey Sonic Junction -
This week we're tackling the fourth verse of "Mr. Lee's Mambo". This verse starts right out real hip. It begins on the second beat of the twelve bar form. Beginning a phrase on that second beat creates a feeling of anticipation and gives the impression of "shifting gears" musically. After that, there's a nice, smooth transition into the IV chord and a new twist on the little "slip note" device that we quoted from Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk" in our Sonic Junction "Blue Strollin" lesson of a couple months back.
Have fun, stay in the "pocket" and feel free to post any comments or questions you may have.
Rick
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Groove
key of E
A Harp
Rick Estrin
Mr. Lee's Mambo
Print Chords & Tab
A Harp in the Key of E.
Loop 0:35 4th Verse Acoustically
Loop 1:17 Overview of 4th Verse Rhythm
Loop 3:05 Breakdown of First 4 Bars
Loop 5:02 Practice Loop of First 4 Bars
Loop 6:35 Listening to Different Soloist
Loop 9:21 Breakdown of IV Chord
Loop 12:58 V Chord Breakdown
Loop 15:07 Practice Loop of 4th Verse
Loop 15:45 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Hi Everybody ... Happy new years !! Hey Rick , id like to have your taughts on this ....
Hey Andre - Real good job on this 4th verse. The only thing I hear that could use a small correction is the beginning of the first lick. Both times you do it, you should start from the 2 draw and walk up from there. Listen to that part one more time and I'm sure you'll hear it. Otherwise, great job!
Is the Mr Lee of the title by any chance Lee Allen? You've got me listening to a lot of sax! Thanks for another world class harp lesson!
Hi Terry - No, it's not in reference to Lee Allen - Good guess though! I'm really glad you're diggin' the series. Actually, I disclose the inspiration for the title in one of the upcoming lessons. And hey! I'm glad the lesson has you listening to more sax! Music is music. Each instrument of course, has it's own characteristics and every idea isn't going to work on the harp, but there's plenty of great ideas that originated on all kinds of different instruments that can translate well to the harmonica.
Man I just love it. I got that blue strolling pretty well down. I feel the groove of it nice. Working on this one now. I can't wait till I know it by heart and feel the groove without trying to. I love your lessons and the way you teach. Thanks for sharing your skills with all of us.
Thank you Rob - I'm real glad to know that what I'm trying get across in these lessons is working!
Hey,
Me again. I noticed that in this tune and in the last one, Blue Strolling, the third verse centers around the 2 and 3 holes. Totally different rhythm but all those 3 hole bends give them a similar feel And very distinct from the other verses. Is that one of those devices you talk about here? I was trying to think about what that would represent in the conversation, what something it's saying. In this one it sounds a little angry, even threatening. Am I taking that metaphor too far?
Hi Bill - I really wasn't going for an "angry" effect in verse 3 and I wasn't aware of the commonality between this 3rd verse and the 3rd verse from Blue Strollin', but there's certainly nothing wrong with your hearing it like that. I've heard and dug some harp that sounded angry to me and even played things with that intention at times. This time, all I was doing was trying to play something simple and in the pocket and trying to develop the verse so it felt like it was unfolding in a linear way.
Hi Rick,
I was wondering if you had a particular reason for ending the last phrase on th 3-blow v the 2-draw.
Hi Bill - The only reasons I can think of are the 3 blow just felt right to me and sounded right to me. It seems naturally transition well from the swooping bend of the 3 draw.
Hey Rick,
GReat lesson. I always try to work ahead and see if I can figure things out before you break it down. I wasn't getting the rhythm quite right on this one. Your explanation changed my whole way of hearing and feeling it. Just thinking of it as a sax riff made it different, you know what I mean? And the transition from the opening lick into the four chord is very sweet. You always look like you're having a good time but I just want you to know that this tune is really fun to play.
Best,
Bill
Hey Bill - Really glad you're diggin' it! It's real good too that you caught on to that first lick. Starting on the 2nd beat can be really cool - and it works to do it on any chord change. I'm also glad you dug the way it transitioned into the IV - I kinda liked that myself 😉
You are the coolest.
Thanks Rob - Are you enjoying the lesson alright?