Rick Estrin

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Fattening Frogs for Snakes


First Verse Breakdown

Hey Sonic Junction -

In this first lesson on my version of SBW II’s “Fattening Frogs For Snakes”, I demonstrate and explain the harp in the introduction and the fills in the first verse. We’ll be covering chord support, hand effects, note shaping and developing your inner metronome. These are all essential tools that’ll set you up for future success on your blues harp journey, so put in the work this week - You’ll be glad you did.

Rick Estrin

 

 

 

Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues

Backing Track

Print Print Chords & Tab

Bb Harp in the Key of F.

Loop 0:00 Introduction to Fattening Frogs for Snakes

Loop 2:27 Breakdown of Intro

Loop 7:45 1st Riff, 1st Verse

Loop 8:40 2nd Riff, 1st Verse

Loop 10:56 3rd Riff, 1st Verse

Loop 12:47 Turnaround Breakdown

Loop 14:00 Practice Loop

Loop 14:56 Closing Thoughts

 

 

 

Comments

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Bob
Bob Jun 10, 2018

Hey Rick-I'm pretty new to sonic junction and I'm really getting alot out of your lessons. I've seen you play a few times and have much respect. I bought your DVD and its had a big influence on my playing. Im really getting how much of the stuff that looks easy is so complex when you dig into it. I guess a lot of things in life are like that.

 Thanks again.

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Jun 10, 2018

Absolutely - The details are the things that make one sound “official“ ;-)

Marc Graci
Marc Graci Jun 09, 2018

If I'm hearing and counting correctly, you're coming in from the V, right? It's confusing because 6 blow is a strange note for the V. Do you tell the band to come in from the V?

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Jun 10, 2018

It’s just an intro. It could be coming from the V or not. If there was accompaniment on the intro, there’s a chance I might have picked another note, but I was just thinking of it as an intro.

Boyd R
Boyd R Mar 22, 2018

Great lesson It’s a very fun lesson and a lot to learn 

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Mar 22, 2018

Thanks Boyd - I’m real glad you’re enjoying it!

Eric Betts
Eric Betts Mar 21, 2018

Thanks Rick. I love the focus on the little things. The in-between bits seem to give a lot of character while keeping the groove. Loving this series!

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Mar 21, 2018

Thanks Eric - I’m glad you’re diggin it. I really believe the licks alone don’t sound “official“ if people overlook the details.

Bill Blatner
Bill Blatner Feb 25, 2018

Yeh. I guess it's just a cool variation. No need for theory but I figured I'd ask. I think I probably learned that 2-3 blow combo from you and it's pretty much part of my vocab now. 

Bill Blatner
Bill Blatner Feb 25, 2018

OK, I'm going to take you up on the offer.  At several points you're going down from the root, either 3-blow or 2-draw, to the 5 of the scale on the 1 draw.  Sometimes you go 3-blow, 2-blow, 1-draw, and sometimes you go 2-draw, 2-draw-whole-step-bend, 1-draw.  It's a subtle difference in the sound of it, tonally I guess you'd say.  The 2-blow, which I guess is the 6 of the scale, has a more country feel to my ear while the 2-draw-bend, which is the flat7 has a bluesier feel.  It's sometimes hard to hear these little differences when you're listening to a recording made 50 years ago.  Is there any rationale for when to use one or the other?

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Feb 25, 2018

I’m probably mostly using the 3 blow, 2 blow, 1 draw sequence for the tag at the end of the verse.  I play that tag like that simply ‘cause I hear Rice Miller do it, using those notes in that sequence. I also do it like that ‘cause I don’t hear many other people play that tag in that way - even when they’re approximating SBW2’s style. Generally, and especially with Rice Miller’s style, my approach is more from feel, instinct and habit than it is from conscious, theoretical intent. SBW2 sometimes used the 2 draw to the bent 2 draw to the 1 draw to end a verse, in a variation of that tag. I’m not sure I even answered your question - Maybe a more honest answer would’ve been, I don’t know. For some reason, in my mind, using that 2 blow in that lick really makes it feel like it’s definitely the end of the verse.

 

Bill Blatner
Bill Blatner Feb 24, 2018

This is definitely the shizzle:)

So many little things I would never have picked up just listening to the performance. Thanks.

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Feb 24, 2018

Glad you’re diggin‘ it, Bill. And you’re right, there’re a lot of small details - As always, feel free to ask me about about anything.

Bill Blatner
Bill Blatner Feb 24, 2018

This is definitely the shizzle:)

So many little things I would never have picked up just listening to the performance. Thanks.

Boyd R
Boyd R Feb 23, 2018

Your right their is alot of good stuff in here, the more I work on it the more I get out of it. Great lesson

Boyd R
Boyd R Feb 23, 2018

Love the Iintroduction to Introduction to Fattening Frogs for Snake. I don't sing it's pretty bad

Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin Feb 23, 2018

Don’t worry about not singing, Boyd. Stick with it. There’s plenty of valuable harp stuff in this series.

 
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