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Subject: "Joe Delaney Playing Critique"     Previous Topic | Next Topic
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Conferences Advanced Topics Topic #141
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Member since Jan-20-03
653 posts
Jun-23-06, 08:32 PM (PST)
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"Joe Delaney Playing Critique"
 
Joe wrote:

"Hi Dave,
My name is Joe, Playing 8 Months, Learing to play Chicago Blues, Just wondering can you have a listen to my recording below."
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum_sounds/joe_d.mp3
===============================================================

Joe,

12 bar solo.mp3: Excellent musicality. It sounds like you've played another instrument before. All the notes are good choices. Timing is fine.

Things to improve on:

Assuming you want to sound more "bluesy", use the bends on holes 2 and 4 draw much more. I didn't hear any 2 draw bends and the hole 4 draw bends are not going low enough to get a nasty blues bend sound. More bending, more bending, and more bending is blues harmonica (listen to classic blues players like Sonny Boy II and James Cotton). Did I mention that you can't over do the bends on holes 2 and 4 draw? Here's some more jamming tips-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/when_in.php

The hand effect is fine, but not really a Chicago blues sound the way you're are currently using it. It sounds more like folk harmonica, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it may not be the kind of sound you are going for.

Everything sounds tentative and a bit on the 'thin' side. It sounds like you are afraid to make a mistake. Even if you are, you never want to sound that way. Better breathing will solve the problem by creating more volume and power in every note you play. We want our notes to sound very purposeful. Do this by consistently breathing more air through the harmonica (versus sucking and blowing the air with your mouth). Check out the Breathing section for tips-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/breathng.php

Your note selection is also a bit on the "folksy" side. Which again, is not a bad thing if that is what you are going for. Hammer the poop out of holes 2D, 4D, 5D, and 6B for a real "meat and potatoes" set of blues notes-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/improv_tech.php

Overall, it's very good for only 8 months. I'll be happy to listen to something in a few months if you want to send it in. Keep playing.

Play on,
Dave Gage


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adeeter
Member since Jan-19-04
119 posts
Jun-26-06, 12:17 PM (PST)
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1. "RE: Joe Delaney Playing Critique"
In response to message #0
 
   I'm very impressed, sounds realy good. Dave's comments are right on.

The good times last forever
The bad times fade away


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