What Would You Play On This Song?
Sun, 10/13/2013 - 15:13
Hi...I play slide guitar in my duo on this Rolling Stones cover called Prodigal Son. Its seems like a good harp song. But I'm having trouble capturing a decent chugging pattern within the verses. Its in E (A Harp). If anyone would want to give it a try and report back to me with your ideas, that would be awesome. Even if you come up with something completely different, I'm willing to listen. Here's the song and thanks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NfWcqIdEE
Listen to the hi-hat:
1- CHUK - 2 - CHUK, 1- CHUK - 2 CHUK, etc.
Could also be an acoustic guitar hitting those beats.
Now notice that sometimes he adds a little hit just before the CHUK:
1 - ka-CHUK - 2 - ka-CHUK, etc.
In bluegrass, this would be called the mandolin chop, because the mandolin player usually hits this chop on the beats that fall between the two strong beats.
This would be an effective rhythm for harmonica chords as well. Hit the main CHUK beats, and then experiment to see what you can add to vary it slightly.
This tune alternates between the I (draw in 2nd position) and IV (blow) chords, then has a turnaround that doesn't really use chords, substituting a rising chromatic line: 2B, 2Dbb, 2Db, 2D. I'd suggest playing that line with the same rhythm as the vocal or other melodic instruments, then resuming the rhythm pattern.