I didn't see a search function (yet) for the forum, and I had a question. I'm trying to figure out the chugging part of Mystery Train by Paul Butterfield and the Band on the Last Waltz. I'm just starting out, but this was one of the tracks that inspired me to take up harp. It is in E, which one would think you'd use an A harp for second position. But it seems like the chugging is 123 blow for the E then 123 draw for the A twice, then blow, draw, draw, blow, draw. I'm hoping I'm on the right track, but I wanted to see if anyone with more experience in playing this song would know for sure. Thanks!
Hey...good question...so... I've seen different versions of clips of The Last Waltz version of Mystery Train with Butterfield—one, a B&W clip that's like a raw home movie version, the band is in E and another clip (the color version, like the actual theatrical movie version) is in the key of F, I think—so that may be your challenge. Butterfield would be playing a Bb harp for that. I don't know why there are different versions...they didn't perform that Winterland Show more than once did they? Anyone? I know there was some post production "sweetening" done to a lot of that concert but did they actually retune some stuff? Yikes. In any case, whether it is in E or F, you are on the right track, he's just chugging on the 123 and then there's the solo stuff which gets into more advanced territory but you just need the right harp to play in cross on that one. An A (for E)or a Bb (for F).
Last Edited by tomaxe on Mar 06, 2020 9:30 AM
I can't help you with the song, however the search function can be found in the blue menu at left. Highlight BLUES HARP FORUM (fourth from bottom) and one of the choices will be Search Forum. ---------- MBH member since 2009-03-24
Thank you all for the helpful answers! I’ll see what I can work out with Mystery Train. I also play guitar (my main instrument as I’m just starting out with harp) and I’ll figure out the key from there. I saw the two videos. It is weird they would post it, but people do odd things.
