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Post by fatfingerjohn on Nov 10, 2023 8:29:45 GMT
Hi,
Having reintroduced myself to Neil Young songs lately I discovered that on many of his performances the harmonica intros/fills/endings etc were essential to bring out the feel of the song. So, after 77 years on this planet without so much as a blow (no funny comments please) I've embarked on a new journey and, complete with a few nice diatonic 'harps' (see, I know the lingo already) in different keys from ebay, a neck rack, and a book called Harmonica for Dummies, and of course YouTube, I've started the journey. I'm about to ruin Heart of Gold, Harvest Moon, Out on the Weekend, and numerous others. So far, after 2 days, only noticable achievment is that the dog leaves the room whining.
So, advice for beginners like me from those who've cracked this blow, strum and sing at the same time lark is welcome. Also other good easy guitar/harmonica/vocal songs to try (I've looked at a couple of Dylan ones and of course Billy Joel).
Blowing and sucking away,
FFJ (or should I now be FLipJ,
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 26, 2023 8:42:08 GMT
Hi,
I also have wondered why 'good' guitarists quite often during playing, move their fretting hand rapidly up the whole length of the neck and back down again before playing the next part of the sequence? Is there a genuine reason (reduce tension in the hand?). Personally it takes me all my time to just get to the next chord from the previous one without losing the whole of my 'fretboard geography' by moving my whole hand and forearm about a foot away rapidly.
FFJ
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 22, 2023 14:39:34 GMT
I'd love to have a go with one of these and if the sound is anything like a 'proper guitar' then I can see the guitar world moving n. Not sure I want to be part of it, but its nteresting. In case you miss it on the video, he says at the beginning that all the sounds are coming from the guitar .....
FFJ
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 17, 2023 14:35:09 GMT
HI, Not quite sure what you're after but if its simply a chord chart I've found this pretty useful. thedeviltunedthisguitar.blogspot.com/2013/08/open-d-chord-chart.htmlP.S. Don't know what stuff you will be playing. I am simply accompanying songs. If you want a list of some of the songs I like doing in open D let me know and I'll message you. (I don't do any slide stuff and not really into a lot of blues either; but I do quite a few that most would do in standrad tuning but where I find the sound in open D is different and interesting).
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 15, 2023 16:38:42 GMT
Interesting option for the bottom string, I'll give it a try. Generally prefer Open D for this reason which I use a lot now.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 12, 2023 11:14:09 GMT
Hi all, Just got back from a fabulous week of music with the Costa Del Folk in Portugal. I'm attaching a copy of the programme, hoping it's readable here. In summary, we had 5 days of wall to wall music including workshops and performances. The morning was basically for relxed workshops covering Singing Choir, Spoons foe beginners, Ukes (beginners and Intermediate) Song workshops (like circle of death) and and Ensemble of multi instruments. These resulted in a performance on the last day from all of these groups. In the early evening there was a 1 hr 'open mic' which was actually and 'open non-mic' i.e. acoustic only. A fair amount of this was a cappella as many people didn't bring instruments, but the standard was pretty high. I took a guitar as extra baggae and payed each night and also at a couple of the morning sessions. The performing acts started at 11.30 each day with 2 or 3 acts on two stages, each for 40 minutes. Then in the afternoon and evening, on the main outdoor stage, there were a further 5 performances of 45 minutes or 1 hour each, with a break of only 15 minutes between except at 'tea/dinner time'. There were a total of around 15 different performers, most doing 2 separate performances. Hard to pick out the best (for me) as there was so much variation but I'd list as standouts -Ralph McTell, (2 programmes and a 'meet the performer session'). -Phil Beer on his own -Steve Knightly on his own -Track Dogs -Show of hands, joined by Miranda Sykes, and to close the whole thing, Track Dogs, this session being absolutely stunning -Merry Hell (great) -Miranda Sykes on her own (exceptional) Most others were also very good; didn't like 'Fistful of Spookies', although they brought the house down. In the afternoon each day there was a 'meet the performer' session with a 45 minute interview with some of the big names, incuding Ralph McT, Phil Beer, Track Dogs. Everything was outdoors, terrific weather and excellent venue. The hotel was exclusively for this event and, with day tickets also available, there were around 600-800 people there! And for anyone with the stamina (not me!), 3 days had a late night caliedh from 11 to 12.30 followed by a further inpromptu session! Back to the grindstone now, but we've already booked for next year (headline acts Fairport Convention, Midge Ure, Thea Gilmore, O'Hooley and Tidow, Ranagri) . (The Company, 'Harmony Voyages', run about 6 events a year including river crusises (Richard Thompson) and 3 land-based prgrammes overseas and a couple in UK. FFJ Attachments:
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 24, 2023 21:37:19 GMT
THis is Old Laughing Lady without the backing group/band. That narmonica goes straight through you ....
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 24, 2023 11:14:23 GMT
I must admit, having posted this, that I have also found NY an acquired taste and, for some decades only liked (listened to) a very few of his songs. I didn't go with the early rock songs at all (and still don't).
But I came back to him having seen a few covers in open tunings or double drop d/drop d which I'm using a lot more these days and I must say I'm regretting having taken so long to appreciate him.
Yes, some of his lyrics seem to go nowhere and bounce around; Dolly Parton apparently rang him to ask what the lyrics meant of 'After the Goldrush' (which she then recorded with Emmy-Lou H and Linda Rondstat) and got the reply 'Hell I don't know, it depends what I was on at the time'.
And yes, covering his songs can be tricky because of his very high vocal range (for me anyway) and I nearly always have to transpose. And his guitar arrangements vary from very simplistic to very original and clever. Wish I could do the harmonica bits though.
But, having made the effort I find his music extremely rewarding and some of the lesser known tracks like 'Box Car', 'Stringman', 'This Old Guitar', 'Unknown Legend' to name but a few are part of my favourites now. I'm particularly keen on 'Old Laughing Lady' (which I do in Open D) at the moment.
Happy days!
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 18, 2023 12:58:32 GMT
Hi,
Only recently got back in to Neil Young stuff. Just found this on YouYube and if you have an hour to spare its a great watch. All sorts of top artists doing his stuff (many better than he does ....?).
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 16, 2023 8:05:40 GMT
Went to see SilverBlues last night, an occasional band formed last year and who have done about 7 gigs. Band consists of Ric Sanders (Fairport etc), Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne), Vo Fletcher and Tom Leary. Fantastic night singin/playing some Fairport numbers, some Lindisfarne and other bluesy peices. Mixture of Ric and Toms violins, Vos guitars (6 string, 12 string, resonator and vocals) Ray (mandolin, harmonica, vocals) and Tom (violin, mandolin and lap steel) was amazing, 4 magicins at the top of their craft. Just under 2 hours of nostalgia and magic. If they come your way, don't miss them. silverblues.co.uk/who-are-silverblues%3F-1
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 12, 2023 12:29:26 GMT
Haven't put anything on this thread for ages but came across this today. And when I say 'stripped back' I mean 'stripped back'.
Of course helps if you have a voice like Rachael Price ...
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 6, 2023 9:40:02 GMT
.. stunning! And her backing band did OK for themselves as well... Keith I watched a programme on Sky a few months back about her musical life and hadn't realised the breadth of what she did. Later in her career, before she had to stop singing for a serious medical condition, she became involved in light opera and mexican folk music. Her vocals go way beyond the genre where she gained her reputation.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 4, 2023 14:10:15 GMT
Speaks for itself. Goose bumps!
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Aug 24, 2023 12:19:11 GMT
Hi all.
Thanks for all of your measured and informative replies. As is expected on this forum, no-one criticising others and all respecting the different viewpoints. I suppose the main things I would summarise from the responses are ...
--make sure you know the deal before you commit to it --there seems to be an 'expectation' that performers for many charity functions will do it for nothing, or a small gesture of some sort. --that in itself may be fair, if everyone knows the deal --but there is a residual feeling from quite a few that the performers are the only ones, rightly or wrongly, who may be 'expected' to do it for nothing, whereas everyone else gets rewarded as per normal. --and of course the usual discussion about performers doing things for nothing (whether for charity or not) and how that may affect those trying to make some sort of a living from performing.
Once again, thanks for interesting feedback and debate. Of course the issue it doesn't arise with me as it goes without saying that no-one would pay to hear me performing (unless it's to do so somewhere else!🤣).
FFJ
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Aug 21, 2023 14:57:51 GMT
Hi,
Just an interesting one, deesn't affect or involve me.
Pub in our local village is getting some flak following a 2-day 'charity event last weekend. I don't know any of the details of what was arranged but raises a couple of interesting points which others may like to comment on, either through experience or just opinion. The bits I do know are ..
--the pub hosted what was sdvertised as a 'charity event'. The 'organisers' of the entertainment over the 2 days were a third party (not the pub) and they got a lot of performers to attend over the two days, with a headline act or two on Saturday evening. The charities were genuine bodies.
--I don't know what arrangements were made between the organisers/bookers and the acts re payment/expenses.
--The event was free to attend with collecting buckets. Some stalls were present in the garden, selling small things.
A couple of acts have complained on Social Media (after the event as far as I can see) that they didn't get paid or even any expenses.
To put it into context, it's a small village and the event was not high profile at all. However it appears to have been well-attended and successful.
There is now a huge debate and the usual social media nastiness going on with the pub saying, as they were not involved with the arrangements being made with the acts, then the question of the payment or expenses for those performing is not down to them.
So the specific questions of interest being raised include ...
--Is it 'normal' for individuals/bands to attend a charity event for no payment; and no expenses?
--Apparently all the pub staff got paid as normal; so why, if it's for charity, is it just the performers who are expected to do their bit for charity for nothing when others get paid?
--As the pub in question has had a much larger than normal 'footfall' and thus much higher turnover from drinks and food sales, what contribution are they making to the 'charity'; or are they simply getting extra profit and not contributing (the assumption being made, which is not necessarily fact, is that the ub did not pay the organisers to put on the event).
I don't expect anyone to have all the answers to this especially as I know I'm thin on the facts, but interested on your general thoughts. I'm sure a lot of you/us do charity stuff and therefore have an opinion?
FFJ
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