Hey Sonic Junction - I'm back again. This time out we're doing a medium slow, Chicago style blues. Generally, if you sit in somewhere or go to a jam session, the simplest things to get together with a band, are going to be a shuffle or a slow blues. We've already worked on a few different shuffles, so I figure I'm overdue for a Sonic Junction, slow blues. In this series, among other things, I'm trying to illustrate the importance of patience. Sometimes players get uncomfortable and anxious with the space between the licks on a slow blues. When the licks are in the right place, the space becomes an indispensable part of the music. Hopefully this lesson can help you to learn to wait and pick your spots for maximum effect. Another thing that's more obvious in a slow tune is the value of contrast - clean/dirty, soft/loud, bright tone/dark tone, staccato/legato, ahead-of-the-beat/behind-the-beat, the list could go on and on. As always, the primary aim is to make your harp playing deeper, more effective and more communicative.
Rick Estrin
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues
A Harp in the Key of E.
Loop 0:00 Whole Song
Loop 0:00 First Chorus
Loop 0:52 Second Chorus
Loop 1:40 Third Chorus
Loop 2:29 Fourth Chorus
Loop 3:17 Fifth Chorus
Loop 4:04 Sixth Chorus
Comments
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That's great, Boyd. With all this stuff, if you want to make it sound right, you've got to take your time when you're learning it!
That's great, Boyd. With all this stuff, if you want to make it sound right, you've got to take your time when you're learning it!
I'm back and ready to take my time and learn this tune, it's really not easy if studied righ. it's going to take time
Hi Mr.Rick.... I'm playng this instrument about 5 years...i'm not playing and coping only the sonic junctions music pieces,I'm listening and coping the monster players:little walter,both sonny boy williamsons,james cotton,junior wells,slim harpo,sonny terry and others... and I'm listening the hole blues music from robert johnson to quin sulivan....if somone listen to me they says that im a "well done"player or "excelent" player... but I'm playng the great palyers licks in to groove,,,,and the my question is: how can I have the good improvization,build the music? I can't tell the story through the music language....please help me
Hi Gagi - That’s a very good question with no one simple answer. You’re doing the right thing by copying and listening. I think of improvisation like speaking a language, and copying and listening are the first steps in learning the language. When you’re listening, try to think of and understand why certain things are effective - For example, when somebody leaves a well-placed space, it creates tension and naturally triggers a feeling of anticipation in the listener. So, think of all the different elements that are effective to you, when you listen. Contrast long tones with short notes. Contrast different textures. Contrast repetition with surprise - These are a few of the things that I was able to learn by listening and then thinking about why, what I was listening to, was effective. Also, try using the Sonic Junction backing tracks to play something different than the study piece. For example, if I begin with a long note, you try playing a series of short, rhythmic notes instead. If I’m beginning a phrase on the 5 hole, draw, you can try beginning on a different hole and see where it takes you. And, don’t be afraid to make mistakes! The more you try to play your own ideas, the more comfortable you’ll become doing it, and you’ll eventually get more ideas and begin to make fewer mistakes. Try these things, Gagi and let me know if this helps.
Many thanks Rick and Mike for the quick response.
Alan.
Is there a backing track for this lesson ?
Alan
There should be. We recorded one.
Thanks Alan and Rick. My mistake -- track is now up.
FYI it should always come out with the first breakdown lesson -- so if you don't see it -- let me know -- thanks.
Rick, Very nice job with this newest lesson. Your style is so rich! Can you share with us your set up below the mic? What cable, connections? Thanks. Joe. White Plains, NY
Hi Joe - Glad you like the song.
The mic I'm using is an Astatic JT-30 with a crystal element. The amp is a tweed Fender Champ. I have no idea what kind of cable I'm using. My only criteria for a cable is whe or not it works.
Nice piece...and love... your clothes! Dennis will be jalous for sure. Thanks, happy to see you again Rick. ;)