This is great stuff. Keep it coming. Being a raw beginner, I'm still working over "Red Dress" - got the left hand working strong - got the right hand coming up to speed. Coordinating them is the challenge now. Any tips? Starting slow, then turning up metronome. BTW, what is standard pace for the song?
i can't wait to get into this song - this here fires me up - but I'm concentrating on getting Red Dress to a comfortable pace, ingraining that, then catching up. Is that good strategy? Will be sending video when I become more competent.
Thanks, Davell, for these lessons ... This is top-line musicianship, and I appreciate It.
I'm with you on getting the chords together, the F, B-flat and C and their progressions between each other. I understand (slightly) playing the fourth of the fourth. Both left and right hands are become somewhat coordinated with each other. And I've got playing the lick.
But, here's the question. What are you doing at 1:04, and even better clarified at 1:30 - what progression is that? - that's where there's thunder coming from your left hand, and those fingers are moving like lightning (too fast for me to tell what is going on, even at 50%). Is this some type of breakdown on the F chord itself? Or a varied approach to playing the F, B-flat and C? I can see you're starting this transition back to I, and you're octaving up on the C and the F, but I'm at sea on this thing.
You're doing a great job teaching. Your feedback is appreciated.
I believe you're asking about what some would call, 'the turn around'. I didn't focus much on the turn aroundduring this lesson. These first lessons are designed mostly to build strength in the left hand and a decent and consistant coordination between both the left and right hands. I plan to circle back and feature a specific lesson or two on, 'turn arounds/walk-ups and cadances.
In the meantime, post a video of what you've been working on and I'll help you fill in the gaps!
Great work - I'm pleased you're with SJ. Welcome!!
I know next to nothing about piano. I heard your music last week and instantly recognized this is what I've wanted to play all my life. Hence, I went out and bought a keyboard and accessories (Yamaha DGX-650). So, I'm all in with you on this one.
I'm still working last week's left hand. It's coming along well. Using a lot of SJ loops, etc. It is slow going, but I'm okay with that. I am persistent. A few questions. Obviously, you're light years beyond my playing. I play a lot of blues harp, and understand the rudiments of blues. All these chords and "playing out the licks" are beyond me now. Is there anyway I can supplement what I am learning here? Using my chord chart and constantly looping, I hope to have the left hand down fairly shortly (though I recognize it's going to take hours), then moving onto the right hand. Do I need to have this dead solid perfect before moving onto the next lesson? I will be weeks behind. I know there's few shortcuts. i am merely mimicing your hand movements. Do I need to learn to read music? Do I need to learn tonic, subtonic, fifths, sevenths etc? Any suggestions. I'm 67 years old and don't have a lot of time for B.S. In short, I want to play and have fun. I know work is involved. What can you recommend for me to achieve those goals?
Jerry - this is a flat-out killer. I doubt if I'll ever get it down like you have it, but I greatly appreciate your sharing. A truly great signature piece. Thanks.
When I first heard this instrumental, it was damned intimidating. But, after listening and learning, I'm getting it .... 4-8 octave, who would had thought?
You really articulate this stuff in an effective manner. Your work at Sonic Junction has been invaluable to me. My sincere thanks.
Yea, the 4-8 sounds BIG and George used it a lot, which is where guys like Rod Piazza, William Clarke and so many others who use it nowadays got it from. I'm working on more stuff for Sonic Junction, so stay tuned for more...! Thanks
Around 6:10 - it's as near as I can tell the 1 draw. To my ear it has a rough, or a burr, on the edge. I hear it elsewhere (at 9:43), but this time on the 2 draw, going to the vibrato 1 draw.
no doubt, I need some work on the g harp. I've been playing a lot of d lately - a big switch.
the problem probably is a wimp factor. At the present my low end g notes sound anemic compared to yours. Any recommendations?
OK, I gotcha, haha! As far as I can tell, these are both 2 draw whole step bends that you are referring to...and I am bending them far down (further than the necessary whole step), which causes a little "burr" as you refer to it as. There is a very thin line between bending far enough (and forceful enough) to get this sound, and bending TOO far and forceful which will seriously fatigue the reed and shorten it's lifespan. That line becomes more clear with experieence, and of course by feel...and every player plays differently, so it must be felt out.
And I believe - as you point out - the tone and comfort at which you can play those notes/bends greatly affects the ability to make that sound, as subtle as it is. Remember, the goal for good tone and bending is not to bend forcefully, but to find the deepest resonant air chamber for that note (whichever note you are playing and/or bending) and to really control your breath, shape of air chamber, and throat movements while doing so. Hope that helps!
If you want to get better and more comfortable on the G or lower harps, spend more time practicing on them. Sounds obvious, but it's the best way. It may not sound great at first, but the more you allow your body and technique to get used ot it, the better you will get at it! Keep Rockin'!!
This a monster harp piece - really digging it. You're a great teacher on this stuff. Any tips on getting that "burr" on the end of those 1 and 2 draws?
Rick: This material has been invaluable to me. Your lessons on the rhythms, the three draw backed up by the two blow (something I'm really going to explore and cultivate) and the SBW nuances and tones are really impacting my playing. As I said earlier I frequently run through all your SBW interpretations. To my thinking, this is the heart of it all. Thanks for everything. Look forward to your coming back soon.
This is great stuff, Rick! I'm living in the "Garden of Groove." Seriously, I was making this too difficult. To me, this is the best series. Then I go back to the others and "tighten" them up. More than worth the price of admission. Thanks.
Thanks Eric - I'm so glad this is working for you! The more automatic that mental metronome becomes, the easier it'll be to make whatever you play sound and feel right.
Great stuff Dennis. I really benefited from this. Timely too, Big Walter was born this day (April 6, 1917). I appreciate your expounding on this percussive style. Really digging it.
Thanks Eric! He was a huge influence on so many players, and his technique was really amazing, with all of his dynamics, textures, range of attacks and nuances. Glad you dug it man!
Fun song. I love it. But, I'm flummoxed. That last note plays good as a draw. How are you getting that growl? It's a piece of cake in the blow ... but in the draw ... Am I missing something?
Thanks Jerry. Your program is really advancing my harping. You're a great teacher and overall mentor. This is the best money I've spent in a long time. Serious appreciation.
I'm fired up for this lesson!!!!! Thanks Rick
I'm glad to hear you're excited about it. I think it's a cool groove,
Davell:
This is great stuff. Keep it coming. Being a raw beginner, I'm still working over "Red Dress" - got the left hand working strong - got the right hand coming up to speed. Coordinating them is the challenge now. Any tips? Starting slow, then turning up metronome. BTW, what is standard pace for the song?
i can't wait to get into this song - this here fires me up - but I'm concentrating on getting Red Dress to a comfortable pace, ingraining that, then catching up. Is that good strategy? Will be sending video when I become more competent.
Thanks, Davell, for these lessons ... This is top-line musicianship, and I appreciate It.
Best,
Eric
Hi Davell:
Yeah, the turn around. That's it. Sorry if I got ahead of things. I look forward to those lessons. Right now, I have alot to work on.
Thanks, Davell
Eric
Keep me posted!!!
Okay Davell:
I'm with you on getting the chords together, the F, B-flat and C and their progressions between each other. I understand (slightly) playing the fourth of the fourth. Both left and right hands are become somewhat coordinated with each other. And I've got playing the lick.
But, here's the question. What are you doing at 1:04, and even better clarified at 1:30 - what progression is that? - that's where there's thunder coming from your left hand, and those fingers are moving like lightning (too fast for me to tell what is going on, even at 50%). Is this some type of breakdown on the F chord itself? Or a varied approach to playing the F, B-flat and C? I can see you're starting this transition back to I, and you're octaving up on the C and the F, but I'm at sea on this thing.
You're doing a great job teaching. Your feedback is appreciated.
Best,
Eric
Hi Eric!
I believe you're asking about what some would call, 'the turn around'. I didn't focus much on the turn aroundduring this lesson. These first lessons are designed mostly to build strength in the left hand and a decent and consistant coordination between both the left and right hands. I plan to circle back and feature a specific lesson or two on, 'turn arounds/walk-ups and cadances.
In the meantime, post a video of what you've been working on and I'll help you fill in the gaps!
Davell
Davell:
Great work - I'm pleased you're with SJ. Welcome!!
I know next to nothing about piano. I heard your music last week and instantly recognized this is what I've wanted to play all my life. Hence, I went out and bought a keyboard and accessories (Yamaha DGX-650). So, I'm all in with you on this one.
I'm still working last week's left hand. It's coming along well. Using a lot of SJ loops, etc. It is slow going, but I'm okay with that. I am persistent. A few questions. Obviously, you're light years beyond my playing. I play a lot of blues harp, and understand the rudiments of blues. All these chords and "playing out the licks" are beyond me now. Is there anyway I can supplement what I am learning here? Using my chord chart and constantly looping, I hope to have the left hand down fairly shortly (though I recognize it's going to take hours), then moving onto the right hand. Do I need to have this dead solid perfect before moving onto the next lesson? I will be weeks behind. I know there's few shortcuts. i am merely mimicing your hand movements. Do I need to learn to read music? Do I need to learn tonic, subtonic, fifths, sevenths etc? Any suggestions. I'm 67 years old and don't have a lot of time for B.S. In short, I want to play and have fun. I know work is involved. What can you recommend for me to achieve those goals?
Thanks, Davell - Eric
Jerry - this is a flat-out killer. I doubt if I'll ever get it down like you have it, but I greatly appreciate your sharing. A truly great signature piece. Thanks.
Hi Dennis:
When I first heard this instrumental, it was damned intimidating. But, after listening and learning, I'm getting it .... 4-8 octave, who would had thought?
You really articulate this stuff in an effective manner. Your work at Sonic Junction has been invaluable to me. My sincere thanks.
Eric
Thanks Eric - Thanks so much!
Yea, the 4-8 sounds BIG and George used it a lot, which is where guys like Rod Piazza, William Clarke and so many others who use it nowadays got it from. I'm working on more stuff for Sonic Junction, so stay tuned for more...! Thanks
Thanks Dennis,
I get what you're saying: Go to the woodshed and kill the bleating goat.
Will do.
Thanks again for the guidance. I really like that burr you put on those notes.
Eric
Hi Dennis:
Around 6:10 - it's as near as I can tell the 1 draw. To my ear it has a rough, or a burr, on the edge. I hear it elsewhere (at 9:43), but this time on the 2 draw, going to the vibrato 1 draw.
no doubt, I need some work on the g harp. I've been playing a lot of d lately - a big switch.
the problem probably is a wimp factor. At the present my low end g notes sound anemic compared to yours. Any recommendations?
Eric’
OK, I gotcha, haha! As far as I can tell, these are both 2 draw whole step bends that you are referring to...and I am bending them far down (further than the necessary whole step), which causes a little "burr" as you refer to it as. There is a very thin line between bending far enough (and forceful enough) to get this sound, and bending TOO far and forceful which will seriously fatigue the reed and shorten it's lifespan. That line becomes more clear with experieence, and of course by feel...and every player plays differently, so it must be felt out.
And I believe - as you point out - the tone and comfort at which you can play those notes/bends greatly affects the ability to make that sound, as subtle as it is. Remember, the goal for good tone and bending is not to bend forcefully, but to find the deepest resonant air chamber for that note (whichever note you are playing and/or bending) and to really control your breath, shape of air chamber, and throat movements while doing so. Hope that helps!
If you want to get better and more comfortable on the G or lower harps, spend more time practicing on them. Sounds obvious, but it's the best way. It may not sound great at first, but the more you allow your body and technique to get used ot it, the better you will get at it! Keep Rockin'!!
Dennis:
This a monster harp piece - really digging it. You're a great teacher on this stuff. Any tips on getting that "burr" on the end of those 1 and 2 draws?
Thanks,
Eric
Thanks Eric!
I'm not sure exactly what you mean...can you give me a time in the video so I can hear exactly what you mean and tell you...? Thanks!!
Rick: This material has been invaluable to me. Your lessons on the rhythms, the three draw backed up by the two blow (something I'm really going to explore and cultivate) and the SBW nuances and tones are really impacting my playing. As I said earlier I frequently run through all your SBW interpretations. To my thinking, this is the heart of it all. Thanks for everything. Look forward to your coming back soon.
This is great stuff, Rick! I'm living in the "Garden of Groove." Seriously, I was making this too difficult. To me, this is the best series. Then I go back to the others and "tighten" them up. More than worth the price of admission. Thanks.
Thanks Eric - I'm so glad this is working for you! The more automatic that mental metronome becomes, the easier it'll be to make whatever you play sound and feel right.
Great stuff Dennis. I really benefited from this. Timely too, Big Walter was born this day (April 6, 1917). I appreciate your expounding on this percussive style. Really digging it.
Thanks Eric! He was a huge influence on so many players, and his technique was really amazing, with all of his dynamics, textures, range of attacks and nuances. Glad you dug it man!
Hi Rick:
Some incredible knowledge here. I don't own that 3-draw yet, but I will.
Thanks for all these good vibes - keep them coming.
Lop-dahdoo-lop,
Eric
Thanks Eric - Real glad you're enjoying it. And you're not alone - that 3 draw is a real challenge for almost everyon!
Okay, thanks Jerry. Amazing. I would never had thought that. Great lesson!!!
Jerry:
Fun song. I love it. But, I'm flummoxed. That last note plays good as a draw. How are you getting that growl? It's a piece of cake in the blow ... but in the draw ... Am I missing something?
Thanks.
Eric
Thanks Jerry. Your program is really advancing my harping. You're a great teacher and overall mentor. This is the best money I've spent in a long time. Serious appreciation.