Re: [Harp-L] Best chromatic blues songs...



Hi All,

I thought this was a cool recording. This is a nice example of "2nd position" on chromatic. The tune sits in G and he plays it mostly in the minor blues "mode" (G, A, Bb, C, D, E & F). However, he switches to a B natural occasionally and trills between the 5th and 7th of the G chord (holes 5 & 6 draw) as well, the way you would use whole 3 unbent or trill between holes 4 & 5 on a diatonic. G (2nd position) is a great key to play chromatic blues on. My favorite keys are G, C, F, Bb, Eb and Ab. Ab is a much maligned key (curs you Ab haters!) which is really just like 2nd position, hole 3 to 7, diatonic blues with all the extra notes you get in that area - including bends - with good harmony as well.

As for the tone, this a player who has likely been influenced by Stevie Wonder's playing. It is not the instrument that gets that wonderful vibrato it definitely is the player. The way to learn to do this is to practice your vibrato daily. Don't be afraid if you use different techniques for vibrato on the draw notes than the blow - this is more common than most players will admit. While most players use extremely similar techniques for blow and draw they are, in a certain way "different animals". Then get the "Eivets Rednow" recording and learn the tunes by ear. After that, practice to the CD (or after having listened to the CD) daily for about 10 years. After that, you can call me in the morning ;-).

All said and done, this is clearly a player who has gone beyond the 3rd position blues and also a player with terrific tone. For anyone who plays diatonic, the ability to play in this key on chromatic is, literally, "built in" to your understanding of blues diatonic. The extra C on the chromatic is a pain - but not undefeatable. I have had a lot of success teaching diatonic players chrom blues by starting in the key of G.

Anybody know any more recordings by Billy Lightcap?

Michael

----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Merola" <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 9:53 AM
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Best chromatic blues songs...



Rick
Yes quirky, but I must say it's a nice change of pace from "I woke up this
morning" etc.  I like the guitar work as well.
He's got a Hohner HardBopper with an acrylic comb. Also a black 16 hole
which I assume is a Super64X.
Steve Merola

Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:23:13 +1100
From: "Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Best chromatic blues songs...
To: "Steve Merola" <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx>, <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <49A2DB80.7C8A.0066.0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Steve;
         Pretty quirky songwriter...I like his chrom. playing though. He
seems to be getting some big vibrato. Know what sort of harp he's using? I
can't see any of my chromatics allowing that kind of vibrato. Is it
something I haven't tried, like a 'Slideharp', or some such?
Thanks for this.
RD

Steve Merola <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx> 21/02/2009 7:46 >>>
Hello Harp-l

There's some very original, bluesy chromatic stuff at this link. The artist
is Billy Lightcap <http://www.myspace.com/billylightcap>
Not traditional, but bluesy nonetheless. Especially "Drunk & Brokenhearted".


Steve Merola

<http://www.myspace.com/billylightcap>
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