Video Project
I was fortunate to have been asked to assist with a video project by a friend for a video that was being created. The discovery of a missing WW2 airplane in a remote part of Vancouver Island initiated the concept of the project by Nick Versteeg, a local videographer.
Initially I acted as a ‘technical advisor’ helping a young actor playing the part of an airman who died in the crash (as did all four crew members), with how to hold and ‘pretend play’ a harmonica. I was then to participate in the audio composition by Eric Smith playing harmonica as part of the musical score he wrote for this video. It describes the events leading up to the disappearance of the training flight out of the Pat Bay Airport (north of Victoria BC) in 1942.
I thought this adventure I was on might be of interest to other student harmonica players and would reinforce the value of all that I have learned from the Blues Harmonica site.
I was sent notation for the theme music in F, and initially thought to use an F harp in first position given the notes that were there but then proceeded to tab it out for playing in second position on a Bb harp. This decision was based on the request that bends be used to emphasize the ‘mournful’ mood of the video. Then I discovered that I needed to play an ‘E’ in a sequence of notes on the 4, 5, and 6 holes. This is not possible on a blues tuned harp but I remembered I could raise the tuning of the 5 draw reed to get it from Eb to an E (thank you Kinya). Several accurate bends 2 half step and 3 whole step) are also required given that this will be played with several other orchestral instruments. Using the tabs for the melody line and the notation for timing of the notes, allowed me to play through the theme for the opening sequence which will be recorded in a studio in a couple of weeks.
The middle sequence is to be written in Ab which I’m hoping will be possible to play in first position depending on the need for bends and textures so I don’t have to retune any reeds on another harp. Then there will be a return to the theme (hmmmm - head repeated at the end, where have I heard that?) for the ending but on a much slower tempo and mournful mood.
I will follow up after the recording session and share my experiences on this project. Very different from going to a jam!!
This ain’t GarageBand Toto
When I entered the studio, the equipment was impressive to say the least. Computers, multiple screens, microphones set up and headsets all over. We were recording the harmonica track and then the producer would mix all the parts. When I heard the other tracks that had been recorded to this stage, I was knocked out!! Strings, keyboard, percussion and horns. We started in with a click track with the background music track and recorded several takes but when we looked at the video while listening to the track, we noticed two places where it was out of synch. Rather than depending on the producer to make the adjustments, we decided to re-record and using a laptop to watch while I recorded, we were able to get the synch much closer, to match where the actor took a breath.
When Eric told me that the next part had been changed, I worried!! I have to admit I let myself get frazzled and made several mistakes learning the part (had to move from a 5 draw to a 9 blow) but finally got it and we recorded several takes of that section as well as the ending that changed tempo with the request that a ‘milk’ the notes with as much tremolo as possible. Overall, the theme and mood of the video is one of melancholy and sadness. The harmonica does provide an appropriate feeling in my opinion.
This was quite a different experience to recording myself at home with GarageBand to say the least! Cubase was the software program he used and it was mind boggling to watch him work with it. Non of it was transferable to my situation and I was too intimidated to ask any questions. Besides, I had my hands full playing through the recording takes.
I will post a link once the video is complete so those that want to, can see and hear the end result. This was phenomenal opportunity and experience.
Way to go Hank! Sounds like a great experience in the studio- looking forward to the link!
Looking forward to hearing more about this, Hank. Way to branch out!