Posted Wed, 06/17/2015 - 06:48 by David Barrett Admin
In this video for "Recording Study 4 - Studio Recording" Gary Smith and Aki Kumar construct and improvise a slow blues that turns into the song titled "A.G. Blues."
Posted Fri, 06/12/2015 - 14:33 by David Barrett Admin
In Hob's first lesson we cover holding the harmonica; cupping a bullet mic; throat tremolo; importance of playing softly; playing with a relaxed embouchure; closing the nose for breath control; Solo Harmonica Study 1, examples 1.2 and 1.4; Tongue Block Study 1, example 1.2 and Walk With Me Study song, Chorus 1; Music Theory Study 1, Section 1; and bonus footage on the definition of tone in music, and how to create big tone on the harmonica. http://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/hob_bosold
Posted Mon, 06/08/2015 - 08:19 by David Barrett Admin
If you've read it once, read it again... this paper is as important to advanced players as it is beginning. The more we can understand how the harmonica and mouth works in the bending process the better. In Ross' Overbending Study 1 he'll be referencing the concepts from this paper, so you'll want to review it to fully understand how the reeds work in the overbending process. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/mri_bendin...
Posted Sun, 06/07/2015 - 08:51 by David Barrett Admin
Study along with beginning student Hob Bosold as he takes private lessons with head instructor David Barrett following the Levels of Achievement Program at BluesHarmonica.com. Each lesson is video recorded in its entirety, giving you valuable insight into the same material you're studying on the site.
Joe Tartaglia was the featured beginning student on the website since its release in 2009. Hob's lessons are more up to date with the material on the site (especially in regards to the Levels of Achievement Program) and will therefore replace Joe's lessons in time.
Posted Mon, 06/01/2015 - 15:48 by David Barrett Admin
Our series on overbending starts with instructor Ross Garren interviewing the harmonica players that have pioneered the use of overbends in the blues. Our original intention was to do a written article, but it quickly became apparent that we should video record these Skype interviews for you to watch. Skype video quality is not the best, but we thought you would appreciate seeing and hearing them over just reading an article. After watching these interviews Ross will start to walk you through the art of overbending in the blues.
Posted Wed, 05/27/2015 - 08:11 by David Barrett Admin
For most students, the slippery slope of opening the nose while playing the harmonica begins unconsciously. Their body learns that if the nose is opened, the issues of unintentional bending of holes 1 and 2 are fixed. When opened, the tuned size of the mouth cavity that was causing issues with that hole/note is combined with the nasal cavity, creating a cavity that's lower in pitch than those reeds can be bent to, which results in better tone and no possibility of unintentional bending. continue reading...