Sonny Terry's techniques

Subject: Sonny Terry's techniques
From:
Date: 27 Oct 98 - 07:26 PM

In a guitar thread:I got into a conversation with Roger of Baltimore about harmonicas. It brings up a question. Does anyone know of sources that discuss Sonny Terry's harmonica techniques. What key harps he used, what positions he played in (I mean harp positions--I know he played seated :).

We have a lot of expertise on Mudcat, and I am also happy to hear what the "local" experts know.

The guitar thread I refer to is called "Leadbelly's Strings"

Click here to see it

Murray

Subject: RE: Sonny Terry's techniques
From: Max
Date: 24 Aug 99 - 09:19 PM

I just get sad when I see one slip through.

Subject: RE: Sonny Terry's techniques
From: CarlZen
Date: 24 Aug 99 - 09:34 PM

Max -

One of our local heroes out here is Tom Ball. He has written "A Sourcebook of Sonny Terry Licks for Blues Harmonica". Tom's a pretty thorough guy, and his book covers lot's of discussion about Sonny's style, as well as the usual licks that a book like this, as it's title implies, would show. CD is included, and it is available from Elderly. (If you can find the URL for Folk Mote Music Store of Santa Barbara, CA, that is one of his home bases; he occasionally does lessons through those fine people. They would also be happy to sell you one of his books.

Tom Ball has written some other books, too. One is an interesting look at the bawdy blues, with illustrations by R.Crumb.

Subject: RE: Sonny Terry's techniques
From: Mike Billo
Date: 24 Aug 99 - 09:46 PM

I second CarlZen's motion of recommendation for Tom Ball's book on Sonny Terry. It's excellent. I knew Sonny's nephew J.C.Burris,who was taught by his uncle, and they had one anomaly to their playing( at least I thought it was unusual, maybe lots of people do it), they played the harp upside-down, with the higher notes to their left and the lower notes to the right.