Hi All -
This week we tackle the next (5th) chorus of my “Horton Shuffle” and it includes plenty of triplets. In order to do these correctly, you have to stay on top of your sense of timing. If you haven’t done much of this yet, you may want to start practicing with a metronome if you feel your rhythmic chops aren’t quite as good as they can be. Remember - rhythm chops are super important to anyone wanting to become a good soloist, regardless of whether or not you will ever actually play rhythm! You need to have a firm grasp of timing and the groove to make each phrase work well, especially phrases that are timed with the beat as strongly as these.
Enjoy!!
Dennis
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Blues
key of E
A Harp
Big Walter Horton
Dennis Gruenling
Horton Shuffle
Print Chords & Tab
A Harp in the Key of E
Loop 0:00 Dennis and Dave Playing the 4th and 5th Chorus
Loop 0:54 Triplet Technique Breakdown (First 4 Bars)
Loop 3:02 Practice Loop of First 4 Bars
Loop 3:15 Breakdown of Bars 5 and 6 (IV Chord)
Loop 3:32 Practice Loop of Lop Sided Scoop Technique
Loop 3:41 Breakdown of Bars 7 and 8 (IV Chord)
Loop 4:05 Practice Loop of First 8 Bars
Loop 4:29 V Chord, IV and Turnaround Breakdown (Bars 9 and 10)
Loop 6:44 Practice Loop of V, IV and Turnaround (Bars 9 and 10)
Loop 7:34 Fifth Chorus (Bars 1 - 12) Practice Loop
Loop 8:07 At Tempo - Fifth Chorus (Bars 1 - 12) Practice Loop
Comments
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Are you tounge blocking during the first eight bars? Also, are you moving your jaw back and forth or the harp?
Most definitely tongue-blocking for the first eight bars (and the whole tune pretty much). While holdig the harp and playing, it's a combination of moving the harp over with my hands, and slightly moving my mouth as well.
Any tips on breathing? Do you pretty much have to hold the inhale for the four bars or is there a discreet way to get rid of some air along the way?
I think you just have to suck it up (pardon the pun) for the first four bards. I play it softer on the first four bars and then get my air out on the blows of the IV. I think I let air leak out my nose too.
Thanks Taylor.
As Taylor says, it's a good idea to play softer for this section. As a harmonica player, you always want to play softer in general, it's always good technique to play soft so you don't run out of air...! Breath control is very important playing harp.
Thanks, playing softer does extend the breath and sounds better too.
Playing the harmonica softer always gets a better sound and tone...as long as your not playing an el cheapo $1.99 harmonica from the truck stop, in which case it would be so leaky you wouldn't be able to play softly...!
"El Cheapo"? See Dennis, you CAN speak Spanish. https://youtu.be/XKRQMCHlONU according to this video, drinking liquor helps. At least that's what the internet says...
During the triplets, are you playing the downbeat note slightly louder than the others?
Not really, but you can if you want. Sometimes Walter would accentuate every OTHER downbeeat, in this case that would mean beats "1" and "3" which of course is the 3 draw in both cases. The triplet on those beats is 3-4-3 draw...the triplerts starting on beat "2" and "4" would be 4-3-4 draw.