Licks vs Songs
David, i have a "performance questio...i have about 5 songs I am currently working on. A couple of big Walter tunes & "my blues"...which has become my favorite.
im also working on 3-4 improv licks using some scale sequencing & lick ex. You have applying the chorus forms.
my question is, how do you effectively play licks for an "audience" ie: patio, pool, etc....when not using a backing track?...the chugs (Gussow) (Tomlin) just don't come off as well acoustically....
the next part of that question is creating (finding) backing tracks for the song I know.....yours are great & easily accessible.....not so much for a few of the others I like to play.....I am trying to use "ireal pro" app....just havent gotten very far.
thx
curry
David, Thanks for your quick response and info....I have already downloaded the Jimi Lee and Pete Schmidt's tracks along with your "blues play along trax" from hal leonard. I didn't see the "song specific download"...but I've got plenty to work on. i will hit Gary's blues pretty hard and also work the Solo lessons on chording. It seems that the chording lessons really are easier if you are tongue blocking which is probably why I skipped them....:) The chordal tones in the back ground of the single notes sound really good while you are playing them and are not quite as melodic with me lipping. Soooo, I guess I need to work in the tongue blocking lessons into my schedule. I'm so obsessed with the "next song" or next lick that my techinque work has been relegated to pushing my lip pursing as far as it will go and working those techniques. Thanks again for all your help and I'm still spending 1-2 hours a day on your site on one of the lessons.
Curry
It sounds like you've figured out where your practice needs to be now. Yes, tongue blocking offers some very cool chordal/rhythmic options. Use what you like in pucker and what you like in TB to make your own unique style.
Hi there ,
I'm new to Harmonica world and i have been memeber here for few days , I Must say its one of the best eduaction system i have ever seen .
Thanks so much
Moha
Fantastic. Welcome to the site Moha.
Hello curry. Song selection when playing unaccompanied is important. I choose songs that have a lot of pulls and slaps, they provide a lot of drive. Your study song Gary's Blues is a good example, or an artist song like Walter's Boogie is very good. All of the Solo Harmonica Study material is great (Studies 2 and 3), because they are designed to sound good unaccompanied.
I like Jimi Lee's Every Groove a Bluesman Needs To Know and Pete Schmidt's Ultimate Jam Tracks... I use these the most. Hal Leonard Publishing also has a book series for blues song-specific jam tracks. The more jam tracks you can get (I own tons), the more likely you'll find something that works for you.