Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 118 #162)

Key To The Highway
Joe taught Little Walter's version of "Key To The Highway" (Download Joe's transcription. Purchase original song in iTunes and buy Shoji Naito's jam track.) This song is an 8 bar standard that everyone should have in their repertoire. Learn to play over these chord changes so you won't be caught off guard when you have to play it on stage.  Little Walter's playing here clearly shows a strong John Lee Williamson influence.  Joe also pointed out bar 7 to show Walter's jazzy double-time playing -- he was the first harp player to do this.  Writing credit for this tune is disputed, some claiming it was first Big Bill Broonzy, others making the argument it was Jazz Gillum

Special Guest John Nemeth - April 27!
We have the honor of hosting John Nemeth in class on Monday, April 27 at 8:00pm.  John is a west-coast soul, R&B and blues singer/harmonica player who is at the top of the Blues Roots charts right now.  Don't miss this opportunity to learn from him.  All local friends of the Filisko Method are encouraged to attend.  John will most likely have CDs for sale.  Be sure to catch his gig at Legend's the night before.  Joe and the B1 crowd will definitely be there!

Class Notes!
  • Level III players may go back to playing their full song next week.
  • Joe's additional Level III class on Monday afternoon is looking very likely and would first occur over the summer session.  Stay tuned for more info!
  • This is the end of the session.  Be sure to sign up again soon!
Reminders!
  • Please help eliminate the dreaded "chrome forest" after Level III.  Carry the music stands out into the hall before the Level IV class begins.
  • Sign-up sheets for the 12th Old Town School Harmonica Recital on Friday, May 22 are due Monday, April 27.  Remember to show Joe the courtesy of turning in a sign-up sheet even if you can't make it.
  • More talking blues examples!  Joe played two more talking blues tunes in class to inspire people for his contest --  Bo Diddley's "Say Man" and also a tune featuring some great banter from Rick Estrin and Charlie Musselwhite from the Kid Ramos album, Greasy Kid Stuff.   Start working now on your talking blues performance.  The goal is to perform a talking blues song in the spirit of the Slim Harpo classic, "Scratch My Back". Open to all students enrolled in Levels III and IV, the winner will be the song Joe thinks is the most entertaining, creative and that really "sells it".  The contest will be in June or July.  The prize?  A Filisko harmonica!
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew