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Recital

Spring BluesHarmonica.com Student Recital

It’s time for BluesHarmonica.com’s spring recital! This is your opportunity to share what you’ve been working on with friends, family and the BluesHarmonica.com community. You can submit a study song from the site, an original instrumental (such as what you’ve done for any of the Improvising Studies) or a classic blues tune you love to play. Submissions are open from April 15 through the end of May. The recordings are open to the public to listen to and BluesHarmonica.com subscribers to comment. David Barrett will also listen to your submission. If you would like David to provide constructive criticism on your performance, state it in your comments when submitting the tune and he’ll email you directly with comments. Get to work… we look forward to your submission!

Submissions are closed.

Previous Contests

Morning 12 Bar Blues Melody

Laszlo Konyeczki's picture

I let myself for one and half week after my LOA4 test my mind to be calmed down. Musicians say it is necessary to take some rest sometimes.

Today morning I created a short demo using my Bugera double tubed amp and my Shure DX520 and tried to use what I have learned here until this time. A local band wanted me to play with them without any practicing in a pub tonight but I resigned.

Although there are some choking notes, and this is about simplicity, I share it.

David, I curious about the techniques I used. Would it be ok for an audience?

 

 

Jazz Harmonica

marcgraci's picture

This is a short piece I worked on for a jazz improvisation class. It's a 32 bar form, an AABA. It goes around three times.

The A section is 8 bars, and it goes Gm7(b5), C7(b9), F, F, Dmi7(b5), G7, C, C.

The B section is 8 bars, and it goes Cmi7, F7(b9), Bb, Bb, Ab7, Ab7, G7, G7.

I used a C harmonica for this. The trickiest chord was probably the Ab7, because it doesn't sound too good to hold the Ab and because an Eb (the fifth) is only available on the 8 blow bend.

It was fun. My timing was definitely late at some parts, but I'm overall happy with it.

Lost Boy Blues

eliam's picture

Lost Boy Blues Palmer McAbee inspiration Joe Filisko

 

New Beginnings (with David's suggestions)

pvcafin48's picture

I apologize because I have submitted this melody here earlier, but I have improved it as per the istructions of Mr. Barrett to the best of my abilities, given the time contraint. I hope I have caught what he was trying to convey. Please have a look at this Mr. Barrett, sir, for this little one's dedicated to you. Your comments will be of great value. Thank you.

Make Me a Pallet on the Floor

Dave Wysuph's picture

My version of a piano tune called "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor"

Shake Dancer

Patrick Lindgren's picture

This is a great song to study as it contains a lot of technique (dips, bends two note combos, timing) and it is not overly fast. Little Walter recorded it but my "version" is inspired by another of the great players, Gary Smith from his album Blues for Mr B. Getting Garys tone seems impossible but is my quest at hand.

 

Keep on blowing

 

Patrik

Level 4 on my way to L5

New Beginnings (Melody)

pvcafin48's picture

I'm too new to blues harmonica to effectively improvise upon a jam track and create bluesy music. Single notes are fine for me though. So this one is a simple melody I have set upon a backing track by Elite Backing Tracks called New Beginnings. I have kept the title same because this is my new beginning as well. I have used Audacity for recording on PC and I'm playing a Marine Band 1896/ Key A.  Thank you for allowing me to share, would really appreciate any observations/suggestions.

My blues

Bluevan's picture

Study song My Blues,I learned the song but  kinda improved this whole take, but followed davids original as a guidline if that makes sense.   David can you please review song if can I appreciate it. thank you.    Gear used: bogen PH-10 amp redone into ga6-5e3 circuit, jt30 w/white label cr, diy reconed jensen p12p speaker in 1950s metal speaker cab, manji A harp,  lone wolf delay. I definitely left too much space at turnaround area again after listening to it , but it is a slow blues so...........:)

I Want You With Me (Accompaniment Study Song)

JeremyHunt's picture

My best effort at this study song. It's come out alright, I think, in spite of the poor quality of the desktop PC mic that I've used to record it. I haven't tried to personalise the song - except for forgetting some of the turnarounds and repeating the same one a few times.

I notice in a few places the bends sound forced, so in the few weeks since this was recorded I've been working on reducing that in my playing, with some success.

Agape Blues Company - Cross Road Blues

MBatts's picture

The Agape Blues Company is a Christian Blues Band out of the NY/NJ area. We are a ministry team that primarily focuses on men's ministries such as men's shelters, drug rehabilitation, and prisons among many other venues. This show was at the Jericho Road Men's shelter in Patterson, NJ.

This song is a take on the old gospel tune Cross Road Blues by Robert Johnson and influenced by Adam Gussow as you'll here.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqIM7bXUrq8&list=PLD4OuKtjCRC1SaS_qhxrb8OI4pejgW... continue reading...

Bent outta shape

Bluevan's picture

I used the head and some licks from study song half stepping. Borrowed some LW lines and kinda improvised at the end.  Dave can you reveiw my jam, thank you I appreciate it. And thanks for this awsome place you have created, I have learned so much from this site!  still have a long way to go though.  Gear  I used,  a single ended 6L6  knight P.A amp model 93-350 preamp tube 6Ls7,  5y3 recto,  shure small shell 707A w/Heuman element, boss rv-5 reverb. reconed 1960 jensen p12q

TRIADA BEAT (Beatbox+harmonica)

M.Blues's picture

I try to make some "song" with beatbox and harmonica. It  was wery funny experience with my friends...a lot of laught an also hard work !

I never make something like that. I was inspired by "Moses Concas" musician on you tube.

This  is not profesional produkt.

So I would like to hear some critics from David and others... Please e mail me.

Maybe in the future i can make with your help some good HarpBox  "song" 

 

M.

 

 

 

 

Bye Bye Bird / Sony Boy Wiliamson II

M.Blues's picture

https://youtu.be/XfnMsgveVuc

 

 

I recorded my version of Bye Bye Bird / Sonny Boy Wiliamson II

I used low C Hohner Crossover harmonica and amplifier.

 

I play harmonica for about 2 years so I am not so expirienced player to know what is good enought.

For me is good :))) hahah....

So please let me know if I am on the right way. Especially I would like coment of David Barrett.

  continue reading...

The Tramp Tramps Again

marcgraci's picture

Hi, Dave:

Here's my recording for the Spring Recital: "The Tramp Tramps Again." You've heard it before, but I'm still trying to redeem myself from a poor performance that night. This recording is closer to how it should sound. Please email me with any constructive feedback.

Best,

Marc