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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

vamps rhythum and improvising

2 replies [Last post]
Sat, 06/04/2011 - 09:47
528hemi
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Joined: 12/19/2009

I have been practicing some improvising by keeping a rhythum and then playing any riffs that comes to me but always going back to my basic syncopated rhythum. ( -2, pull, 2 ,pull, -1 ,pull , 2, pull)

Is this what is called Vamping? Also without putting it into a 12 bar blues, is it beneficial and do players play this way when soloing?

I know you have your Solo harmonica series which is kind of what I am describing but is the goal to always try to put it in a 12 bar structure or 8 bar, etc. or can one just freestyle with any riffs and just keep going without a turnaround and just keep the rhythum?

Regards,
528hemi

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Sat, 06/04/2011 - 11:36
#1
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

You can freestyle... that's fine. I like to place it into a 12 bar form so that it's applicable to playing with others. Listen to Little Walter's "Evan's Shuffle" (1950) and "Roller Coaster" (1955 I believe)... both of these are examples of Modal Blues where there is no chord change... so yes, you can even do this with others. Also listen to Little Walter's "Rocker," this is a great example of how he uses chording patterns in the context of the 12 bar blues... between his main ideas and AS main ideas.

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Sat, 06/04/2011 - 17:46
#2
528hemi
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Joined: 12/19/2009
Thank David! I will check

Thank David!

I will check out those songs and thanks again for all the great material on your site.

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