Summer Fun

Over the summer I've been working on various things. Let's Stick Together works well on my D harp (2nd position) it's been fun to try and steal some of the sax riffs.

Also, at band the other day, we started on Love for the Common People (1st position A) and Born to Be Wild -which I need to work out a solo for. 3rd position C, I think covers the key (Dm) but I'm lacking inspiration as regards the solo.

I've been reworking Bright Side of the Road too in case it comes back into the set. The intro is sounding better and I've tried some of the brass lines as fills. Still find the riff in the middle of the solo hard but it is coming.

There have been other licks which I've tried too but I can't remember them (oops). I think a run from 6 blow down to 2 draw with the flat 3rd down to major 2nd was one. Either way, I've enjoyed playing a lot. I'm going to work on the chromatic and try to get Madness's Our House next. The brass lines should work fairly well on the chromatic but it will be interesting to see if it is the harmonies which really make the song.

Onwards!

Yay

I finally plucked up courage and sent a short message and video clip (of the solo in Grapevine) to the outstanding harmonica player and teacher Adam Gussow. I was really pleased that he was kind enough to reply and also greatly encouraged by his comments.

Thanks for your thanks, and the clip. You've got a strong groove and decent tone--loud, solid. Actually, you've got very good single notes. You're definitely not playing mush-mouth harp. What you need next is some vibrato. I'm glad I helped you find your way to third position. You're definitely the sort of player whom I would urge to keep at it, rather than somebody who I would point towards basket-weaving or the like. Not everybody inspired by my videos actually has enough talent to make it worth their while, but I think you do. Keep having fun! Thanks again.

Yay!

I might survive

Had a brilliant time at the pub last night. We tried 'I will Survive' it was hilarious (still not sure if it was in a good way)! Anyway it's in Am so I played my G harp in 3rd position. Cool to be able to do that and also really nice to use the G harp because there is very little blues stuff in D and I think I use it on perhaps one song in 1st position.