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Post by JamesP on Nov 21, 2015 16:26:55 GMT -5
Didn't know some players actually play their harp upside down. Sonny Terry, Paul Butterfield, and Billy Boy Arnold played upside down?
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Post by banjo on Nov 21, 2015 16:33:50 GMT -5
That's a bit unconventional? I wonder whether they play(ed) a bit of piano too!
e&oe...
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Post by JamesP on Nov 22, 2015 15:55:04 GMT -5
I guess it's just how my brain is wired. I visualize scales from left to right...so I expect my harmonica to progressively get a higher pitch left to right. Good point Patrick on the "correct" being what get's the job done. I can't play like any of the ones who play upside down...heck, I can't play harp very good no matter which way I hold it. Rather than knock it, I probably should give it a chance.
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Post by banjo on Nov 22, 2015 16:24:09 GMT -5
My old dad played nice harmonica. He taught himself during national service at night on sentry duty with a wooden replica gun. He said that making some noise in the pitch black night on his own made him feel a bit better about his situation and passed the time until change of the guard. He tried to demonstrate to me how he used his tongue to mute adjacent holes. I could never get it and it's my guess that those wonderful blues harp sounds that I referred to don't rely on that technique either? Don't even mention cross harp! I haven't a clue what that is. For reference, I have a Hohner Chromonica and a Lee Oskar Major Diatonic in "C", neither are particularly unusual...
e&oe...
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Post by banjo on Nov 23, 2015 15:33:55 GMT -5
It was definitely what you described as "tongue block". He used this to great effect by playing melodies while vamping along by raising the tongue.
I thought that the Lee Oskar would be better for bending notes than the "Chromonica" but I haven't found any advantage in practice. (no pun!) Thanks for the heads-up(s). I knew about cross harp because it was explained to me on another forum, but didn't get my head around it. Also, the circle of fifths- saw a good youtube video and watched it straight through three times. I even bought a great C-of-F app for the Android 'phone, but I begin to lose my way about a third of the way through of the video. I understand it's good for applying to songwriting.
Returning to odd harmonicas, I was bringing a 3 feet long box with something in it from the Quarantine Stores at work to write an inspection report, and one well known quick witted wag saw me walk by and yelled out "I see you've got a case for your harmonica mate!"
e&oe...
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Post by sarge on Nov 23, 2015 23:46:06 GMT -5
Hey banjo, I play like your Dad did. You play the melody and at the same time you play the rhythm chording. It's a very old style and not many folks play that style anymore or the music associated with that style. That old style doesn't work very well for a person that plays upside down, because the chording doesn't sound right. Here's an example of that type playing. Here I am playing spanish two step. www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=7370294&q=hi&newref=1
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Post by banjo on Nov 24, 2015 2:24:31 GMT -5
I listened to the two-step. I'd give it two thumbs up if I could! It was like listening to my old dad again-spooky, but very much appreciated so thanks big style. I'll audition your other sound files when I'm on the wireless network at home. Thanks again Buddy!
e&oe...
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Post by banjo on Nov 24, 2015 12:45:42 GMT -5
How cool is that!
I think you forgot to mention the way you are fanning your hand back and forth when getting that wah wah effect. I remember seeing dad do that too. Sadly, dad went courtesy of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, and he couldn't blow his harmonica for a number of years prior to that. You've brought back some great memories which is one of the more positive things about this interweb.
BTW: sorry to hijack the thread.
e&oe...
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Post by sarge on Nov 24, 2015 16:26:14 GMT -5
How cool is that! You've brought back some great memories e&oe... I am very pleased to hear that!!!!!
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