Re: [Harp-L] Musical Big River-harmonica part

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

As mentioned, it's mostly diatonic (and all second position, at that), with bass harp for one number. Jaw harp shows in one early number, and there's also some tambourine if I recall correctly, in the big number that closes the first act.

Harmonica actually opens the whole show, so you have to be on a good wavelength with the conductor - you play three notes and the conductor brings in everyone else. You may be on stage in costume with the fiddler and guitarist, both for the overture and for the entr'acte that opens the second act.

All the harmonica is written out and certain things need to be exactly right, while others can be improvised. In the second act there are long stretches with no harmonica but you can (depending on the receptiveness of the conductor or musical director) play along with the fiddle or clarinet during those stretches instead of reading magazines.

I have known players who toured with this show without being able to read. Over a touring stretch it's possible to develop  a close rapport with other players and get away from the written parts - which are, after all, largely what Donnie Brooks improvised in the first place. But in the short term, reading does help. Especially when you show up for rehearsal and the conductor starts announcing things like, "In this number, we're skipping measures 13 through 20, but repeating measures 21 through 24." 

Try to find the original cast recording with Donnie Brooks playing. Often, the theatre company will send you both the written part and a CD dub of the album so you can combine ear learning with reading - and making sense of the part in the context of the song and the arrangement. The combination can really helps speed up the learning process.

Winslow

----- Original Message ----
From: "brianstear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <brianstear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 11:23:37 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Musical Big River-harmonica part


I've 
just 
been 
asked 
to 
play 
as 
they 
call 
it 
"signifigent" 
harmonica 
part 
with 
the 
local 
high 
school 
orchestra. 
 
I 
know 
some 
of 
you 
fellow 
harplers 
have 
done 
other 
productions 
of 
this 
musical. 
I 
was 
wondering 
if 
you 
could 
share  
( 
either 
on 
or 
off 
list 
) 
what 
to 
expect 
ie, 
did 
you 
have 
to 
sight 
read, 
play 
specific 
prerecorded 
parts, 
just 
improvise 
( 
well 
of 
course! 
)?
  
Did 
you 
use 
any 
special 
tunings, 
harmonicas?
Thanks 
for 
any 
and 
all 
help. 
Truthfully, 
I'm 
excited. 
I'm 
a 
big 
fan 
of 
dynamics, 
so 
playing 
with 
an 
orchestra 
is 
the 
cat's 
meow 
for 
me!

  
 
Brian
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