Rock Harp
David, just listened to "Butter Strut." NICE!
Let me ask you something: I've been spending some time experimenting with my harp, trying to duplicate guitar solo riffs and mimicing guitar solo sound. I'm running my harp mic through different effects pedals and processors, trying to find a unique style. Along those lines, I'm running into some challenges - mostly due to the tuning, note availability, and bend ability on non-bendable notes. (My newbie-izm is also coming into play, but I'm working on that, too).
If I'm going for this type of sound and style, should I consider alternative tunings? What about missing notes? How can I address the missing bends?
I think this might be an unorthodox style of play (maybe not, though). Is this a path with rock harp I should continue to explore, or am I getting the wrong idea of how to play in that medium?
This looks very interesting. Some of the "newer/better" things he lists are:
· Same Breathing Pattern Throughout: Draw Note always Higher than Blow
(no confusing switch in top octave, as on Richter tuning)
· Familiar Low Octave Draw Bend Licks Now Possible Everywhere!
· Simplified Technique: No Blow Bends to Learn
· Simplified Technique: No Overdraws to Learn
· Every Draw Reed Bends at Least a Semitone
· Easy Chromatic Runs using Bends Only
· Simple, Soulful Draw Bends replace Richter Overblows and Overdraws
· Overblows Available on Every Hole (but not important for most playing)
· Top Octave Easy to Play, with Big Expressive Draw Bends
· Intuitive Tuning, Simple to Learn. Similar Phrasing in Each Octave
· Easy to Play in Common Positions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th
· Many Positions can be Played Both Major or Minor Without Overblows
· Play Easily in Eleven Major & Minor Keys without Overblows
· Sounds Great on any Stock Harp (no embossing, average reed gaps)
· Suits Standard Setup (no valves) or Half-Valving – it’s up to the Player
· Better Tuning for Contemporary Music Throughout the Range
(easier and more expressive phrasing for Pop, Rock, Jazz, Folk…)
As a complete harp idiot, I'm not sure how these features relate to what I'm trying to do. He says he has better tunings for pop and rock, but I'm not sure what that means - and also, what I can get from the other features he lists? Have you had any hands-on experience with the PowerBenders? I like that he does modify the Seydel 1847, which is my harp of choice.
I know I can contact him for more info, but I would also like the opinions of the harp Zen master himself. Can you explain some of this in harp layman's terms?
It all gets down to easier access to each note of the chromatic scale. Again, this is uncharted territory, so you would need to get one and see how it helps you to play what you want to play. I recommend you try to copy one of your favorite rock solos (most likely on guitar) on your standard harmonica, then try it on the PowerBender and see which harp makes it easier to play.
P.S., something to keep in mind is when you change the tuning of a harmonica your chords change, so tongue blocking options also change (the easiest thing to look at is availability of octaves).
Good luck!
I have never heard a rock harmonica player play an altered-tuned harp. You could be the first! ;-)
Focus heavily on your bends... get those dialed in. After you have mastered all blow and draw bends (you've finished all of the bending study songs) look into studying overbends... this will make your harmonica fully chromatic.
There could be some interesting tuning options, but you're on your own there since it's never been done. You may want to check out Brendan Power's PowerBender.
Keep in mind that many have gone down the road of searching and designing tunings at the loss of practice time ;-)