So I am now the extremely happy owner of a PowerDraw (key of C) and a PowerBender key of A. 2 fab harmonicas which I'm really enjoying exploring. I think that the upper octave stuff will give me quite a bit more scope. I think the PowerBender (despite the awful name!) is, in the long run, going to be more exciting because of the notes which would normally have to be overblows. The Powerdraw is great and I will probably get more of these as my Big Rivers start to wear out.
Current list of harps:
Hohner
Big River: A, Bb, C, D (Gig)
Blues Harp: E, G (gig)
Golden Melody: F (gig)
Special 20, D
Chromatic (Gig)
Lee Oscar: A
Suzuki Blues Master Bb
PowerBender A
PowerDraw C
Thursday, 15 June 2017
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Gear Gig
The gig itself went well. However, we had many troubles with the PA and my Harp shield and G3 appeared not to help much. The problem was I think, that the G3 should have been switched to passive (whatever that means). Once I'd changed that setting on the back, the feedback reduced considerably.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to use the effects I'd created much as I was very worried about it causing feed back. I did try the Wah but I couldn't hear if it worked. Sadly, the batteries died before the end of the gig so I had to plug it it mid song (which must have looked funny from an audience perspective!) I think I'll get some brand new rechargeables and give them a try (Zoom reckons they should last up to 6 hours, mine lasted about 3).
So it was an ok start to using the gadgets but still plenty to improve.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to use the effects I'd created much as I was very worried about it causing feed back. I did try the Wah but I couldn't hear if it worked. Sadly, the batteries died before the end of the gig so I had to plug it it mid song (which must have looked funny from an audience perspective!) I think I'll get some brand new rechargeables and give them a try (Zoom reckons they should last up to 6 hours, mine lasted about 3).
So it was an ok start to using the gadgets but still plenty to improve.
Thursday, 28 January 2016
Tech Stuff's First Outing
So tomorrow night is the first time I shall have both the Harp Shield and G3 box hooked up to play in public. I'm quietly excited. I tried them both at work and there wasn't much feedback so that's a good sign. However, tomorrow with the entire PA the result could be very different. I fear feedback may occur. It will be fun to try!
I have rigged up the G3 with 4 very basic settings.
A0 Wah wah
A1 Overdrive
A2 Clean
A4 Distortion
These are very simple sound effects but they make a difference. I will be interested to hear how it sounds tomorrow especially as, for the first time ever, I will be able to change the volume of my output! Oh yeah!
I wish myself luck!
I have rigged up the G3 with 4 very basic settings.
A0 Wah wah
A1 Overdrive
A2 Clean
A4 Distortion
These are very simple sound effects but they make a difference. I will be interested to hear how it sounds tomorrow especially as, for the first time ever, I will be able to change the volume of my output! Oh yeah!
I wish myself luck!
Sunday, 8 November 2015
Gig
Ok so last night was back to the pub for a gig! Great fun and especially brilliant as my darling wife was able to come. I got a nice compliment from the man who at the last gig said he couldn't hear me. It turned out that this time he could and he loved it!
The slight disappointment of the night was that my overdrive pedal broke. I plugged the battery in and there was no life at all in the thing. So consequently, the Harp Shield was no use whatsoever! I plugged it in anyway just to get some use out of it (although I guess, in actual fact, I was really just draining the battery).
Anyway, I've decided to use my birthday money on a Zoom G3 module. It's for guitar but according to the harp site I read, it can be used for harmonicas too. I'm excited at what it may do. I am not going to get the overdrive pedal fixed since this module should be able to do all that and plenty more besides. I am unsure whether the Harp Shield will still be required, I think it will, but we'll see.
On the practice front I've been trying some of Lee Sankey's exercises for improving 3 draw bends and working the major scale in 1st position all the way from 1 to 10 blow. I try to practise on different harps (usually A and F) to get used to how the technique needs to slightly change according to the pitch of the instrument.
Lastly I am going to try and work on We Wish you a Merry Christmas in 1st position (Start 2 draw). The lower octave needs both a 3 draw whole step bend and a 2 draw whole step bend. The upper octave (start 6 blow) is taking me ages to get my head round!
The slight disappointment of the night was that my overdrive pedal broke. I plugged the battery in and there was no life at all in the thing. So consequently, the Harp Shield was no use whatsoever! I plugged it in anyway just to get some use out of it (although I guess, in actual fact, I was really just draining the battery).
Anyway, I've decided to use my birthday money on a Zoom G3 module. It's for guitar but according to the harp site I read, it can be used for harmonicas too. I'm excited at what it may do. I am not going to get the overdrive pedal fixed since this module should be able to do all that and plenty more besides. I am unsure whether the Harp Shield will still be required, I think it will, but we'll see.
On the practice front I've been trying some of Lee Sankey's exercises for improving 3 draw bends and working the major scale in 1st position all the way from 1 to 10 blow. I try to practise on different harps (usually A and F) to get used to how the technique needs to slightly change according to the pitch of the instrument.
Lastly I am going to try and work on We Wish you a Merry Christmas in 1st position (Start 2 draw). The lower octave needs both a 3 draw whole step bend and a 2 draw whole step bend. The upper octave (start 6 blow) is taking me ages to get my head round!
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Harp Shield
My Harp Shield arrived yesterday and I love it. Basically it allows for the overdrive pedal to actually make a difference. Very cool indeed. I am hoping that come the next gig I'll be able to use it and switch the overdrive pedal on for solos. Should be good.
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Mordon again
Had another really fun gig last night at Mordon. My playing was ok overall and although I forgot a few keys it still sounded pretty good.
Very excited that I get my hands on my new pedal (Harp Shield) next week. I just hope its worth the money.
I have put some harmonica snippets for solos on youtube unlisted here
I've changed the harps I use for gigs over the months. The old ones I keep for messing around with they aren't out of tune yet but they have odd things missing (like screws).
I broke my gifted chromatic when I took it apart to clean it (oops!)
Big River C, Bb, A
Special 20 D
Golden Melody F
Blues Harp G, E
Very excited that I get my hands on my new pedal (Harp Shield) next week. I just hope its worth the money.
I have put some harmonica snippets for solos on youtube unlisted here
I've changed the harps I use for gigs over the months. The old ones I keep for messing around with they aren't out of tune yet but they have odd things missing (like screws).
I broke my gifted chromatic when I took it apart to clean it (oops!)
Big River C, Bb, A
Special 20 D
Golden Melody F
Blues Harp G, E
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