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David's Tip of the Day: Billy Branch Interview - Blues Blast Magazine

Posted Thu, 02/25/2016 - 09:03 by David Barrett Admin
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An interview with Billy Branch released today on Blues Blast Magazine
http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/issue-10-8-February-25-2016/

What's New: Bending Study 14 - Overbend Study 7, Overdraws

Posted Wed, 02/24/2016 - 12:08 by David Barrett Admin
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Join Ross Garren for his latest lesson on overbending where he covers overdraws.

David's Tip of the Day: Blues Standards - Final Thoughts

Posted Wed, 02/24/2016 - 10:44 by David Barrett Admin
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Well that's it, these are all of the songs that students of School of the Blues first learn before they start to add their own song selections into the mix. I recommend you look at the listing I provided (https://www.facebook.com/bluesharmonica/) and make note of the different types of grooves that are represented... these are the grooves you'll most likely play in an average set. continue reading...

What's New: Gary Smith Contributor Submission #50

Posted Tue, 02/23/2016 - 17:06 by David Barrett Admin
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In this submission Gary has us "Thinking on our Feet," taking what the other player gives us when trading solos. We trade 12's, 4's, 2's, 1's and even... to our great surprise... 2 beats!

David's Tip of the Day - Sonic Breakdown (Joe Filisko & Eric Noden)

Posted Tue, 02/23/2016 - 08:11 by David Barrett Admin
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Some nice footage from Joe and Eric's tour of Australia. This was recorded at Humph Hall in Sydney, Australia in April 2015 https://youtu.be/sG2KhzJqJQg

David's Tip of the Day: Stormy Monday (V7 to bVI7 Note Options) - Blues Standards

Posted Mon, 02/22/2016 - 09:53 by David Barrett Admin
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Here's what I like to play. Reminder, Bar 9 is four beats on the V7 and then two beats for the bVI7 and then two beats back down to the V7.

#1 - 3" 3' 3"

#2 - 4+ 4' 4+

#3 - You can also play an arpeggio (notes of the chord played one after another). The V7 Chord being 1 2' 3" and then 4' for the bVI7 and back down to the 4+ for the V7.

As always, the key practice point is to loop that part of the song and play it hundreds of times until you come up with two to three combinations that you like and then memorize them so that they'll be waiting for you when you play this song.

David's Tip of the Day: $50 Custom Harp Case

Posted Fri, 02/19/2016 - 09:47 by David Barrett Admin
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My student (thanks Dan) came in with a new case yesterday. It was a RedHead 2-Pistol Aluminum Gun Case, and it was a real nice size and weight, and well built. $50 bucks at Bass Pro shop (http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-2Pistol-Aluminum-Gun-Case/product/1308281...). The foam is perforated so that any shape can be pinched out and it fit his harps really well. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Stormy Monday (V7 to bVI7 Chords) - Blues Standards

Posted Thu, 02/18/2016 - 10:05 by David Barrett Admin
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In the Bobby Bland version the V7 is followed by a bVI7, which is simply the same as the V7 with all of the notes up a half step. The V7 is D F# A C, so this up a half step is Eb G Bb Db. If you think in sharps better, then you get D# F## A# C#. The F## is the same note as G, so it may be easier for you to think D# G A# C#.

The V7 Chord is D F# A C and is found here: 1+ 1 2' 3" 4+ 4 6
The bVI7 chord is Eb G Bb Db and is found here: 1' 2 3' 4' 6+ continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Stormy Monday (ii7 or V7 Chord) - Blues Standards

Posted Wed, 02/17/2016 - 10:38 by David Barrett Admin
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With Root (G), 2nd (A), 3rd (B), flat-3rd (Bb), the descending chromatic movement of B to Bb is moving to A for Bar 9. The A could be the root note of the ii7 Chord as in the Allman Brothers version or to the 5th of the V7 Chord as in the Bobby Bland version.

Play to the Allman Brothers version starting with Bar 7 a root note progression of (two beats each) 2, 3", 3, 3', 3" and now that you're on the ii7 Chord play this 3" and the rest of the ii7 Chord for a line of 3" 4+ 5+ 6+ in eighth notes to hear the chord. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Stormy Monday (Bar 9 Chord) - Blues Standards

Posted Tue, 02/16/2016 - 09:58 by David Barrett Admin
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The chord progression for Bars 7 and 8 went (two beats each): Root (G), 2nd (A), 3rd (B), flat-3rd (Bb). The B and Bb are moving downwards chromatically to A for Bar 9. What chord would you choose that has A in it? Think about this for tomorrow's tip.