[HTL-86] Blues-Meets-You-Are-My-Sunshine-with-Shapes
Start with Harps Tuned in C
[HTL-86-220127 – HARP TIME LIVE #86 – Thu. Jan 27, 2022]
DHC’s Comments from This Session of Harp Time Live
In Harp Time Live today we did a Mash up of a D Blues and “You Are My Sunshine” — and we mashed it up two different ways: first we played Blues in D, learning different shapes, like the LH 5th, and then then LH 5th-6th-5th pattern, then the 3-note pattern with the RH, putting the root of each chord in the thumb, and then below that thumb, playing a step and a skip (ex: from top down: D-C-A
Then we played “You Are My Sunshine” using the same chords, and the same Bluesy feel, but putting the chords in the order in which you’d play them when accompanying “You Are My Sunshine.” We switched back and forth between Blues and Sunshine, noticing the difference in the chord pattern.
Then we tried shifting “Sunshine” to the key of C, and changed the chord shapes into a CMaj 7 (9), F Maj 7(() and a G9 — so, for example on the C chord that would be: LH C-C or C-G-E and RH: D-E-G-B.The biggest takeaways were about how the shape can change things, and how playing by shape really gives you freedom.
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Please add your own insights, revelations, and takeaways below in the comments, even if someone else already said the same thing! Just say it in your own way or say it again the way they did.
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The Chat Feed (click to open)
16:40:09 From Tara : LH: open fifths: D+A, G+D, A+E.
16:42:30 From connieloporto : Can you do an a/e. A/f
16:47:58 From Tara : RH: also D, G, and A with thumb on named string and step plus skip down (D + C + A, etc.).
16:48:40 From sarah : Pentha skip the b and e
16:52:02 From Gina Marie Wilson : 1 4 5
16:52:15 From hilece rose : playing :) learning rhythm
16:52:16 From Heather F : Making it as EZ as possible for yourself
16:52:28 From Kristen Barry : I don't know but its great fun! first time joining this day playalong
16:52:40 From Kimberly : As long as you keep the basic structure, you have a lot of flexibility for what you actually play-based on your skill and preference
16:53:52 From Tara : I'm trying to take advantage of the fact that I don't need to play everything because I've got this marvelous accompaniment!
17:06:24 From Lynne Lapidus : the rhythm was the same, the pattern was different
17:06:57 From Kristen Barry : a little lost but not surprised as this is my first time. it was the song I got mixed up on
17:07:05 From hilece rose : I learned to sing along with it a little bit ---just lots of fun
17:07:50 From patmarshall : when you play Ais it AGE in the right?
17:08:34 From Faith : Having a good ear, I just played a melody descant above the notes of the chords. Sang when I couldn't play.
17:08:40 From Tara : With Sunshine, I found I was more successful if I focused on just playing neighboring strings (7th and root) in rhythm with the bass open fifths.
17:10:56 From Pam Jurgens : I learned to slow down. Really concentrated on new finger sandwiches til I can do the without looking I get frustrated when I can’t play patterns up to speed
But that is ok because these are new patters for my brain!! It’s ok that I. Cannot play them fast now. .the finger sandwich pattern needs to get into my brain!
17:24:08 From Heather F : C/C/C/C// F/F// C/C// F/F// C/C// C/G/C/C// in cut or depending on how you are counting it - but it think this pattern should work you are my sunshine in C
17:24:33 From hilece rose : going back to the melody up top
17:24:49 From June E : the shapes are key
17:25:33 From Heather F : You can play hands separate until you become comfortable then try adding bits in the other hand
17:25:48 From Joke Verdoold : I learned lovely soundcombi’s on well known chords.
17:25:55 From Cherrie Mooney : It’s ok not to get everything. The challenge was good for us. Just try what works.
17:26:09 From Joan Davidson : The shapes empower us
17:26:38 From Cathy Hornby : Keeping the shapes! That lands my fingers in the right places without too much thinking leaving brain space to sing!
17:26:58 From DEBRA SAWYER : Keeping with structure with left hand and exploring the shapes with the right staying as much as you can in Rhythm
17:27:10 From Tara : Playing with the added notes (D and B) in the C chord lead nicely to little runs filling the space between phrases.
17:27:30 From Cathy Hornby : The C version of sunshine is sooo wistfully beautiful- I’d not have thought of those chords. Couldn’t resist a sneaky Am in the end of the 3rd line.
17:28:14 From connieloporto : I may not be able to do it the way you do, it does not matter. I love sharing you with others that need change and inspiration
17:28:20 From Joan Davidson : When the shapes come naturally, we are free to accompany, sing, speak...
17:29:09 From sarah : i tried to follow the left hand with different patrons. I learned a new patron. I was wondering what would work good, if I accomp a singer?
17:29:19 From Kristen Barry : I just cant stop playing it
17:31:01 From Cathy Hornby : Sorry - late here so got to go.
17:31:11 From hilece rose : gotta go fix supper etc...
17:31:16 From Gina Marie Wilson : I have to leave, but thank you and I Look forward to next month!
17:31:31 From Cathy Hornby : Thanks for a great session!
17:32:15 From Wendy Savage : Thank you!!!
17:32:28 From Nancy Cochran : Thank you Deborah and Everyone!
17:32:54 From Joan Davidson : so much fun today
Share your takeaways and 'aha's' below.
What are the principles and concepts in this session? If you had to remember what you learned, or someone said, "Quick! I have to do an improv! What did you learn in this 'Harp Time Live!' session that I can use??" - What would you tell them?