Top 3 "Must Listen To" for a Beginning Student
David, (as well as any experienced players)...
Do you have a MUST LISTEN TO top 3 songs for a beginning player?
Perhaps a very tasty player with playing that might be a bit easier to follow along with?
If you also knew what key harmonica is being played, that would be great. Might provide some good ear training as well.
Thanks...really enjoying this site!
I must qualify this by placing myself as an intermediate player. I would think that two songs might be "Juke" by Little Walter and "Easy" by Big Walter Horton. Two excellent compilation Cds with various artists are Harmonica Classics (Volume1) and More Harmonica Classics (Volume 16), the Blues Masters Series on Rhino. "Juke" and "Easy" are on Volume 1.
Three additional CDs that I would include somewhere in my top 15 are:
James Cotton - 100% Cotton (Universe, 2004)
Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues (Delmark 1965)
Big Walter Horton - Fine Cuts (Blind Pig Records 1979)
If you go to the Harmonica Masteclass Web site, there is an amazing list of Artist Songs with the key of the song and key for harp and position. Also, Dave's interviews on this site have essential listening recommendations.
The ''Mannish Boy'' Lick (Muddy Waters Band)
Its Very Cool & Simple To Learn
Even Today People Still Ask Me To Play This Song
You Gotta Learn It :-)
Its A Killer Tune!
Below Is A YouTube Link Of Muddy Waters Performing It Enjoy (Key of A = D Harp)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAe6w_r0Vaw&feature=related
No individual songs in particular, but anything by these guys on my list will get you heading in the right direction, especially as you begin to explore some of the more difficult licks on Amazing Slow Downer just to find out how they did them (YMMV):
Sonny Boy Williamson
Little Walter
Big Walter Horton
Muddy Waters (for Little Walter and Big Walter as accompaniment players)
Junior Wells
Charlie Musselwhite
Rod Piazza
James Cotton
Peter Madcat Ruth
BTW, I'm not an "experienced" player, so my opinions may not be as good as a few other contributors. These are the artists who have really inspired me to learn, though.
It's very easy to figure out the key of the song with a set of harmonicas - or a pitch pipe. With a harmonica, just pick one up and start blowing (draw 4 in particular) with the song switching off harps if it's not right. You'll find the right one quickly. With a pitch pipe, you'll have to find out the key by blowing along with the song until you find the right pitch, then step your self back five to the right harmonica (I'm speaking second position here).