Greeting from Marty Howe to other Chrome Blues players
Hello Blues Chrome Players,
Just dropping in to say hello. I joined the site today and shared an original tune in the "Chromatic King" contest. Looking forward to hear other chrome blues players.
David, your site looks like it really has a lot to offer. So far I have only had a chance to listen to some of the interviews which are very entertaining and educational.
Keep on Blowin!
Marty
Hi Homer,
No relation to Gordie :)
I'm on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
Glad to hear you enjoy my playing. I play in a number of groups (flute and harmonica), including a blues band (both diatonic and chromatic) with Mark Crissinger, a number of local singer/song writers, and a jazz band called THE MARTYS (mostly chrome harp and flute). Here we are doing a MArvin Gaye tune called "Whats Going On:
No touring right now. Lots of local music to enjoy!
All the best to you Homer!
Reallt enjoyed the cideo of your band and youer version of "What's Going On". Where abouts on the Island are you?? I"m just outside of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. Depending on where you are, maybe a coffe sometime to chat??
Just noticed in the Chrom section you are in Nanaimo. We are heading up to Parksville for a family Thanksgiving so unlikely this weekend but definitely will head up to Nanaimo on a Sunday in the near future!! Looking forward to it. Some great jams here Saturday and Sundays. If you are in Victoria, let me know
Nice, Marty. PLayed in E major, which some experienced chromati players run away from. I also like your use of the mid-to-low register, which has its own beefy sound.
Thank you Winslow. Much appreciated :)
When I started playing chrome, I wanted to play jazz standards, and wasn't aware of the "positions" approach on the chrome by blues players. So I have been learning to play in the preferred jazz keys, and the need to switch keys from standard keys when singers are involved. Also, since the tonal center in jazz compostions move around alot, I knew I needed to become familiar in all keys, instead of switching harps when a key change or tonal center changed. I came from a background of playing blues on diatonics, so I always gravitated towards learning jazz blues heads such as Straight No Chaser, Stolen Moments, Blue's for Alice (still workin on that one!), Chicken Shack, Sugar, etc. on my chromatic. But the preferred jazz keys seem to be Bb,Eb, C,F, etc.
About 6 months ago I started playing with some blues acts which has been much fun as I get to play my diatonics again, and more importantly, apply my chromatic to to blues.
Also started sitting in on the local blues jams and was quickly reminded that the favorite blues keys seem to be G, A, E, D (obviously others but I think guitarists have a big influence with these keys being popular). So this has been a great opportunity to really get to know these keys well on a C chromatic, which I hadn't used as much in jazz.
Key of "E" has been a challenge, and also "A" has been a tough one! The occassional "B" and "F#"..... well I fake it!
Bottom line is that I am convinced that if I want to play my instrument well, I better get to know all the keys!
Yeah, the sharp keys - D (if played as a major scale), A, E, B, F# are all possible and can be a lot of fun. They require a different approach from the flat keys, though. I did a series on these for harmonicasessions.com back when Dave was editing it for Mel Bay:
Hello Marty...out of curiosity I googled your name and discovered you on YouTube. I enjoyed your playing very much. Looks like you have a lot to offer! Where is your home base, and do you ever tour?
Do you play diatonic as well?
Homer.
P.S. Any relation to Gordie?