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What's New: Andy Santana Interview

Posted Mon, 12/29/2014 - 22:27 by David Barrett Admin

Andy Santana is a long-respected tradition blues harmonica player, guitarist and vocalist from the California Bay Area. In this interview he brings the perspective of a longtime performer, songwriter, recording artist, bandleader and producer. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Transcribing Defined - TAB

Posted Mon, 12/29/2014 - 08:23 by David Barrett Admin

I realized that I just jumped into transcribing tips and that it would be a good idea to define what transcribing is in detail for everyone. Transcribing is simply listening to what someone else has played on recording and writing down what they did. In its most basic form you write down the hole numbers that they played (blows, draws and bends) and any treatments such as tongue blocking techniques or articulations they used. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Transcribing Tip - Bookends

Posted Tue, 12/23/2014 - 14:00 by David Barrett Admin

When working on an exceptionally difficult/fast lick, it can be a good technique to grab the book-end notes first.

Let's use the opening lick to Little Walter's "Off the Wall" for example...

If you focus on the the first note of the ascending passage you'll hear that it's the 2 draw. The next long-held note is 5 draw and then the last note is a 4 draw. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Taking Your Time Transcribing

Posted Mon, 12/22/2014 - 09:52 by David Barrett Admin

I like using a pen when transcribing... the idea that it’s permanent causes me to take my time and confirm that what I'm hearing is correct before penning it to paper.

David's Tip of the Day: Turnaround Lick + 2 Draw = Ending

Posted Fri, 12/19/2014 - 10:07 by David Barrett Admin

A turnaround lick with the last note... the 1 draw in most cases... changed to 2 draw will commonly work great as an ending lick.

What's New: Intermediate Student Ryan Walker, Lesson 29

Posted Thu, 12/18/2014 - 18:29 by David Barrett Admin

Ryan's latest lesson is now up. Videos include:

Lesson 29 - Intro
Lesson 29 - Accompaniment Study 6: Ryan Plays Used To Be My Baby
Lesson 29 - Accompaniment Study 6: Used To Be My Baby Critique
Lesson 29 - Solo Harmonica Study 3: Ex. 2.6
Lesson 29 - Solo Harmonica Study 3: Ex. 2.7
Lesson 29 - Improvising Study 4: Section 4, Ex. 60-68
Lesson 29 - Bending Study 4: My Blues, Opening to Chorus 2
Lesson 29 - Bending Study 4: My Blues, Chorus 3
Lesson 29 - Bending Study 4: My Blues, Vibrato Discussion
Lesson 29 - Bending Study 4: My Blues, Chorus 4

intermediate blues harp harmonica lessons instruction student study

David's Tip of the Day: Lick + 1 Draw = Turnaround

Posted Thu, 12/18/2014 - 08:44 by David Barrett Admin

Turnaround licks (Bars 11 and 12) are in most cases just a short lick (around one bar) with a 1 draw tagged on at the end. Go to Improvising Study 5 - Turnarounds (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/improvising_study_5_turnarounds) and take a look at those licks. With this in mind, grab the looped turnaround jam track and experiment with creating your own turnaround.

David's Tip of the Day: Vibrato and Playing in Tune

Posted Wed, 12/17/2014 - 09:30 by David Barrett Admin

One of the tips to help new players create the vibrato is to slightly prebend the note before starting the throat tremolo (the motor for the vibrato). One you have a feel for this, stop this practice so that you can play that note in tune.

David's Tip of the Day: Relaxed Bullet Cup = Easier To Hear

Posted Tue, 12/16/2014 - 10:16 by David Barrett Admin

We work very hard as blues harmonica players to develop an air-tight cup to achieve a dark and bassy tone. A common issue though with an overly tight cup is a sound, that when placed into context with a band, is often too dark and muted. The next time you perform live or record in the studio, try relaxing your hands a tad to allow just a little bit of your cup to leak. You'll still achieve good volume, tone and bass, but some of the muted nature of your cup will decrease and the higher frequencies responsible for making your playing cut through and be heard better are increased.

David's Tip of the Day: Day The MRI Bending Study Story (4 Videos)

Posted Mon, 12/15/2014 - 09:41 by David Barrett Admin

For those that read the paper and watched the footage (http://youtu.be/I5kogDrivvQ) of me bending on the harmonica in the MRI last week, here's the story (four part video series) of the bending study with Peter Egbert MD http://youtu.be/I5ZjNUWnhgk

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