Advanced Study Plan
In this lesson track our goal is to refine your tongue blocking and bending skills. We''ll dig into five-hole high-end octaves in second position and work on your skill set to play every draw bend the harmonica has to offer. We'll also dig into playing in other positions (1st and 3rd) on the diatonic harmonica.
To start at this level you should have completed the lesson track for intermediate players or: feel comfortable with slaps, pulls and four-hole octaves with the tongue block embouchure; be able to bend holes 1 through 6 draw down to their deepest level, as well as be able to start in the fully-bent position; are comfortable playing within the twelve bar blues structure and have developed good study habits (you have to be patient to get this good at the harp!).
Advanced Section 1
"Blues for Paul deLay" [Tongue Blocking Study 5] is your next tongue block study song, working five-hole high-end octaves and sweet note choices for the IV7 and V7 Chords. You'll need a Low F Harmonica for this study.
Your second of two study songs is "Half Steppin'" [Bending Study 5], which works playing fully chromatic on the diatonic harmonica from holes 1 through 6 draw. You'll need a B-flat Harmonica for this study.
Both of these study songs are very advanced, so take your time and savor the journey!
It's now time to look at the advanced technique of Vibrato.
Continue to develop your improvising skills with Improvising Study 8 - Soloing Blocks & Chord Tone Soloing
Advanced Section 2
Let's now dig into "So Blue For You" [Blues Chromatic Study 4] which is your first study song in minor. This song also works octaves for the first time on the chromatic.
Advanced Section 3
Continue to develop your improvising skills with Improvising Study 9 - Approaches
Take a look at the Artist Studies section of the site and dig into the advanced studies, such as William Clarke's "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" and Gary Smith's "Minor Mambo".
For your last blues chromatic study we'll place everything you've learned into the context with the study song "The Big One" [Blues Chromatic Study 5].
Advanced Section 4
Now that you have a great foundation in our most common position, 2nd Position, it's time to start working on other positions. Visit Understanding Position Playing to get a heads up on what playing in different positions is all about, then dig into 3rd Position, starting with "Rollin' Rhumba, Version 1 [3rd Position Study 1]. You'll need a G Harmonica for this study.
Advanced Section 5
Your next 3rd Position study song is "Rollin' Rhumba, Version 2 [3rd Position Study 2] where you'll work tongue blocking into your 3rd Position playing. You'll need a G Harmonica for this study.
Advanced Section 6
Your next 3rd Position study song is "Rollin' Rhumba, Version 3 [3rd Position Study 3] where you'll add bending to your 3rd Position playing. You'll need a G Harmonica for this study.
Advanced Section 7
Your next 3rd Position study song is an uptempo swing called "Blowin' My Horn [3rd Position Study 4]. You'll need an A-flat Harmonica for this study.
It's now time to dig into blues in 1st Position. Your first study song is "The Tub" [1st Position Study 1] and works the lower octave of the harmonica. You'll need a G Harmonica for this study.
Advanced Section 8
Your next 3rd Position study song is "It's Right [3rd Position Study 5] and works the real bluesy side of 3rd Position. You'll need a G Harmonica for this study.
Your next 1st Position study song is "Blowin' the Blues" [1st Position Study 2] and works the upper octave of the harmonica. You'll need a G Harmonica for this study.
Advanced Section 9
Your next 3rd Position study song is in minor and is called "So Blue" [3rd Position Study 6]. You'll need both the C and G Harmonicas for this study.
Your last 1st Position study song is "The Stretch" [1st Position Study 3] and works the entire range of the harmonica. You'll need an A Harmonica for this study.
Advanced Section 10
Your last 3rd Position study song is another instrumental in minor called "Minor Details" [3rd Position Study 7]. You'll need both the C and G Harmonicas for this study.
Performing on the stage is the ultimate context for the studying musician. In Performance Training: Mastering the Bandstand Dennis Gruenling, Rod Piazza, Joe Filisko and I cover the many elements involved in live performance, from setting up so you can hear yourself to how to make a lasting impression on the audience.
