[Airflyte]

I've been asked to cover the harmonica part. I believe the song is in D Major. I think Mickey Raphael's solo covers two octaves.

I think tenor would put me in E Major (4 sharps)

Not sure where alto would put me at. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[datsaxman]

Not sure what you want.

Put on the song, play along until you start getting the notes.
Keep doing it. Amlitle patience and you can get close.

What I do ...

Dat
Sax
Man

 

[Airflyte]

Not sure what you want.

Put on the song, play along until you start getting the notes.
Keep doing it. Amlitle patience and you can get close.

What I do ...

Dat
Sax
Man

Looking for key signature on alto and tenor. I'll try the ear thing! Knowing what key / scale does help me get there!

 

[Airflyte]

It's only 16 seconds of spotlight.

 

[nvilletele]

If the original is in D, then yes it is E for tenor.
Alto would be in B.

 

[MLucky]

Well, let’s see … if I can still remember back to my days playing guitar in cover bands: I believe the song is in D. At any rate, during the harmonica solo, the guitars are playing G for two measures, D for two measures, G for two measures, then D for two measures. So that’s A7 and E7 on tenor, or E7 and B7 for alto. I would just start fooling around with the major blues scales: ie, on tenor A-B-C-C#-E-G and E-F#-G-Ab-D. Don’t fancy it up. Play call and response patterns. Throw in a couple honks and growls and you’re golden.

 

[Airflyte]

Well, let's see … if I can still remember back to my days playing guitar in cover bands: I believe the song is in D. At any rate, during the harmonica solo, the guitars are playing G for two measures, D for two measures, G for two measures, then D for two measures. So that's A7 and E7 on tenor, or E7 and B7 for alto. I would just start fooling around with the major blues scales: ie, on tenor A-B-C-C#-E-G and E-F#-G-Ab-D. Don't fancy it up. Play call and response patterns. Throw in a couple honks and growls and you're golden.

Perfect. Greatly appreciated!

 

[Airflyte]

If the original is in D, then yes it is E for tenor.
Alto would be in B.

Thank you. Wasn't sure about the alto.

 

[Airflyte]

I think the harp solo on the original Brownsville Station version is better than the Crue's.

 

[lydian]

MLucky nailed it, except it sounds to me like the last 2 bars are A (B for tenor, F# for alto), not D.

Were you trying to copy the harp solo note for note or just improvise something in that style?

The growls and call and response will work great using 2 bar phrases. I think tenor would sound better on this than alto.

 

[Airflyte]

MLucky nailed it, except it sounds to me like the last 2 bars are A (B for tenor, F# for alto), not D.

Were you trying to copy the harp solo note for note or just improvise something in that style?

The growls and call and response will work great using 2 bar phrases. I think tenor would sound better on this than alto.

Yup, something improvisational. Growls will be crucial. Sounds like the harp was mic'd through a dirty amp.

 

[swperry1]

Also, Learn to play the melody (lyrics) and riff off of that. Perhaps the worst thing you can do is overthink a rock and roll solo. Listen to it a bunch and rip some pentatonics...add in a couple leadng tones if you must. If it goes to **** just let an apropriate high and loud wail carry you to the finish.

 

[Airflyte]

Also, Learn to play the melody (lyrics) and riff off of that. Perhaps the worst thing you can do is overthink a rock and roll solo. Listen to it a bunch and rip some pentatonics...add in a couple leadng tones if you must. If it goes to **** just let an apropriate high and loud wail carry you to the finish.

I sense wisdom here. Thank you!

 

[area51recording]

Solos in songs like this are WAY more about attitude. Less is more, big sound, lots of growl, blue notes, and off you go....

 

[Airflyte]

Awesome, thanks! I tend to overthink rock & roll. At last practice, no one even mentioned the song. I think BTO's Taking Care of Business may have replaced it. Not sure.