Blues on a Classical??? Bill Harris

[jimfog]

Hey,

Been playing a good bit more nylon string recently........a nice change. Trying to adapt some of my blues, swing and country playing to it

That lead me to a cool player from DC.........Bill Harris.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMMc6...eature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMMc6C444ko&feature=related)

Really wonderful and versatile........Blues/Jazz/RnB/Classical. Apparently Mickey Baker produced an album for him back in the 50's, said to be the 1st solo jazz guitar record. Also, he was part of The Clovers....and on top of that, a real deal Delta-style blues singer.

Pretty amazing musician. Seems to have taken a clue from Lonnie Johnson, in terms of eclecticism. Old time showbiz at it's best......do whatever you need to/can, to get over.

Enjoy!

[telelion]

Jim,

Nice clip. Because the classical is always hanging around I have been playing blues on it for some time now. Very cool. Not saying I would do gigs this way and obviously I don't do Albert King bends but BB stinging the note with vibrato works.

I do play fingerstyle and classical but have found through the years I just pretend I am playing an electric and mostly play away on the nylon string. Can't get the country bends quite but I just do more sliding to notes in both country and blues. I also do play the authentic country blues, fingerstyle.

My only advice is not to be afraid to play it hard. A classical can take it and it won't sound right unless it is played very strong. I mean I will play a G note, just wanking on it on the high E and just play really gutteral in a E blues progression, almost goofing on that I am playing this on a classical but it works. For instance play "I'm A Man" and go for it to sound very knarly. I cannot recall a pro(for good reason) ever doing this so it's kind of my thing just hanging out and grooving on my nylon string. It's taught me a lot about phrasing as I try and play fills, chord sand leads all at once. I play with my fingers.