Hey Sonic Junction -
Rick Estrin here, and this week we're going to start breaking down the intro portion of this "Lockdown Shuffle". Once again, on the surface this sounds simple, but there're some valuable texture producing and groove enhancing elements that'll require some focused attention to detail. This week we'll be working on some things like dividing a flutter-tongue vamp into triplets, getting comfortable with some push/pull ghost notes, and zeroing in on some important bends on the second and third holes. All this stuff is designed to help achieve a better, fuller sound, and to put you deeper in the pocket.
Have fun, and I'll see you next week.
Rick Estrin
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues
Print Chords & Tab
A Harp in the Key of E.
Loop 0:00 Intro and First Verse
Loop 1:02 Introduction to Series
Loop 1:47 Intro Example
Loop 2:09 Intro Breakdown
Loop 4:17 IV Chord Part
Loop 6:20 Review and Detailed Breakdown
Loop 16:42 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Hi Rick, great lesson, many thanks indeeed. So much to learn, and wow, impossible tone to emulate.
Do you do any tabs? I find it hard to always know what you are doing/notes being played...thanks
Hi Stephen - I don't have tabs, and generally, I'm not a big fan of tabs. Tabs can be a one-dimensional shortcut, and can have a detrimental effect on the development of one's ear. That approach to learning the harp will often cause a lot of important subtleties and nuances to be overlooked. For the most part, I believe I explain what holes I'm on, and the different bends I'm using, etc. If I can give you some advice, I'd suggest being a little more patient with yourself and learn to use your ear like an aural microscope. Tabs can't possibly address many of the crucial elements in this kind of music: small, soft partial chords, subtle and not so subtle volume shifts, alternating straight time with a more swingin' feel, utilizing different contrasting textures, etc - the list could go on and on - Bottom line, my suggestion is, be more patient with yourself and take the time to develop your ear. In the end, I think you'll find it'll be far more rewarding and much more beneficial to your progress.
I have a lot of patience When it's hard then it's fun to learn I'm having a lot of fun with it. I'm still working on Juke I come back to sometimes now that's a lot of patience
That's great! Learning Juke is a whole education by itself! There's tons of great, important stuff in Juke. That alone can keep you busy for years!
Just when you thought you had made
Believe it or not, I know the feeling, Boyd. The main thing is to be patient with yourself. Some techniques take a little more time to master, but if you stick with it, and keep working at it, even a few minutes, 2 or 3 times a day, it'll pay off!
Ah,I just know I'm going to love getting into this thanks Rick. And yes, as you said at the end, it's goina be alright!
P.s. love the sound of Ronnie's bass too. Sounds to me almost like an upright. Any chance I could know the make and model please?
I'll try and find out what that bass is - It's some type of ukelele bass. It's got surprisingly good tone, but then again, Ronnie's playing it, so I'm sure that's got a lot to do with how good it sounds.
Thanks, Rick!
Hi Rick - Do you tongue block or pucker blow bends on holes 7-10?
Hi Robert - In this piece, everything's tongue blocked, but they're also no bends on 7 - 10. - Normally, when I'm playing and bending holes 8, 9, and 10, usually first position, I'm lipping.
This is a fun one and it really sticks in your head
Thanks Boyd, glad it's working on you!
Love it Rick! :-)
Thanks Mary Beth! Have fun with it!
Love ya, man! Awesome lesson. Learning a ton from you. You are inspiring me to wake my ass up and get ready to break out when the world begins again....
Also, very cool to hear you pop in on Gruenling webinar yesterday!
Thank you!!!!