Found a mentor, now what?
So I finally found a local harp master, a great guy and a good friend. So now what do I do? He is a great player and happy to help me, but he is not really a teacher, so I don't know where to go next. Sit down and do some call and response to pick up a few licks? Pick a song and work it out from start to finish? I am trying to just figure out the best use of our time together, which is limited. I attached a video of his playing (there is a long into and he starts blowing around the 2 minute mark) which might help you tell me where his strengths lie, and how I might benefit from his playing. How did you and Gary do the mentor/student thing? Thanks David. So, I present Juke Joint Johnny from Charleston, SC...
David Wish I had a mentor too... but I don't and where I live I can count on my fingers the amount of people interested in the blues!!
It doesn't have to be a harmonica player
Thanks David. I don't actually live in the same town as Juke. I live over an hour away, so I don't expect to be hangin' out much with the local Charleston Blues Scene (which seems to be thriving). I blew through his rig and he was genuinely impressed with my tone and TB skills, so I like the idea of being able to back him with some accompaniment, which I can do thanks to your great book on the subject. (which everyone reading this post should go buy) I am very excited as Juke is the first harp talent I have come into person to person contact since I started playing. Thanks for the ideas. I'll keep you posted.
It would of course helped if he were a teacher, BUT, he can be your context... play for him what you're working on that week... put a jam track on and trade 12's and 4's with him... have him show you about the songs he plays with his band and teach you how to play accompaniment to them (the Rhumba he played is a perfect example... he played the bass line)... as you get strong enough to back him, if he feels comfortable with it, he may ask you to sit in a blow a little harp behind the vocals in this way... hanging around at his shows will give you the opportunity to meet pro players in your area (you'll be more likely to be asked to jam with them at their gigs being a friend of Johnny). I am your teacher, this is what I do, he can be your guide into the local music scene and that personal mentorship that can only happen with being in the same town. Gary showed me technique (bending, tongue blocking, vibrato, etc.), licks and introduced me to the local blues (scene... invited me to play at his gigs, harp blowouts, etc.). Johnny's a fine player... best wishes in your journey.