Posted Mon, 05/04/2015 - 09:45 by David Barrett Admin
Hohner released this video today with Joe Filisko speaking on camera about the history of his harmonica customizing work. Check it out, it's very insightful.
Posted Fri, 05/01/2015 - 10:44 by David Barrett Admin
Center your tongue and move it ever-so-slightly back (away from the harmonica) so that you're only covering two holes with your tongue. Again, focus on the convex shape of your tongue, there’s no need to use the tip of your tongue if you use a light touch. continue reading...
Posted Wed, 04/29/2015 - 08:28 by David Barrett Admin
We're now on to the second day of recording. I move into the smaller isolation room and we start the day with all of my solo tunes. These two videos I record "Here We Go." This Tramp groove, based on Lowell Fulson’s song “Tramp,” has long been a favorite groove of mine. With a rhythm driven by 8th and 16th notes, it allows for fast playing and some very cool runs that traverse the entire range of the harmonica. continue reading...
Posted Fri, 04/24/2015 - 08:23 by David Barrett Admin
Transcription set for It Takes Three is now available at http://www.bluesharmonica.com/it_takes_three_transcriptions ($20) for those interested in learning the songs on the album. Harmonica TAB and standard music notation provided and includes all solos, harmonica harmonies and charts for songs with harmonica horn lines. Link to download PDF transcriptions are sent within 24 hours. The CD will release on 5/2, but here are four songs available now for your viewing pleasure...
Posted Tue, 04/21/2015 - 07:53 by David Barrett Admin
An alternative to the Flutter Tongue is the Side Flutter, where your tongue moves side to side. I commonly see three ways this is approached...
1) The tongue moves side to side on the face of the harmonica. When the tongue is to the right, the low note sounds (D for example on the C Harmonica when performing a 1 draw/4 draw side flutter). When the tongue moves to the left, the high note sounds (4 draw in this case). With a light touch on the face of the harmonica and a relaxed tongue, the tongue moves side to side quickly, jumping between the two octave D's. continue reading...
Posted Mon, 04/20/2015 - 09:15 by David Barrett Admin
Start with a slap and continue to make the slapping motion with a fully supported airstream (not individual pumps of air like that of individual slaps).
TIPS:
Most importantly...
1) Keep your tongue to the left. The most common error is to allow the tongue to drift to the center, essentially causing the technique to turn into multiple pulls. continue reading...