Jerry Portnoy Interview
Just binge watched the entire interview and must say it was well worth the watch. Jerry is a master of the instrument and a truly beautiful person, a treasure of the blues community. If you have the time give it a go. you won't be disappointed.
I'm no where near the point where I can transcribe by ear. Sigh.
wailing ptarmigan: What I hear is always B on the low register (1 draw) and chromatic scale down in the middle register (B, Bb, A, Ab or 4-, 4-', 4+, 3-'). So, my answer is 3-'.
@AceVentura: I'm sure you're completely ready to work on transcribing. Like with anything, there is the issue of priorities, time, etc.
Carlos del Junco has a set of videos talking about his approach (in detail). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLozWWaAnDg4VtM8RfcsYUhoD0OPLJudXo That being said, I don't think there is anything all that harmonica specific about transcribing. Get the mp3, load it into software that slows down the playback, work on small chunks, figure out what the player is doing. Skill comes mainly from being able to reproduce what the player is doing. Sometimes, you simplify things beyond your skill set. For example, if you've not learned octaves, just play the upper note.
I do this fairly regularly for my band, primarily as a sax player. Recently, I started playing harmonica for my band and learned Roadhouse Blues by ear.
FWIW what hear is
-1 -4
-1 -4 -4'
-1 -4' -1 -4' +4
-1 -4 -3'~
That last blue third with a subtle vibrato gives it a quivering which makes it harder to recognize the note.
Unsure whether this is correct or not. I tried slowing it down and looping trough the riff on the Music Speed Changer app in Android and playing it on a keyboard and this is as close as I got to it.
That's what I remember from when I listened earlier. The -3' might not have been exactly a half step, making it rub against what you're playing on keys.
Maybe, maybe. Something to consider.
After listening to it and playing it for a bit more I think the riff ending different. My next best attempt is:
-1 -4
-1 -4 -4'
-1 -4' -1 -4' +4
+1 +4 -3'~
So the last part changed from draws 1&4 to blows 1&4.
That guy has tone like mad, and some awesome renditions of stuff I've never heard on harp before.
I'm currently tryin to transcribe "Money" from the mood room album. "A" harp seems to work, and I've gotten very close to the introductory lick that's played 3 times:
1 4 1 4 4+ 3+4+3+4+ 3 2 3 3"
However somethihg isn't right...I think the 3" should somehow be 3+...
Anyone want to take a shot at it?