blues harmonica

Greg Heumann of BlowsMeAway Productions started his company many years ago (Greg was a student of mine) borrowing my Switchcraft volume control saying, "I can make this!" Now Greg offers an entire selection of in-line volume controls, adapters, wireless systems and custom microphones. http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Blues Harmonica Method Level 2 BK/CD, The Tongue Block Method, just released. This would be on par with Level 4 bending and tongue block studies on the site.

Bending and advanced Tongue Blocking are covered along with three full-length song studies. Recording includes all harmonica parts notated in the book with accompaniment music. This book and its recording use the “C” and “A” major diatonic harmonica.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 – Bending
What Notes Can Be Bent
Bending Exercises
Two Note Combinations
Bending Example Song
Quartertone Bending continue reading...

Adam Gussow just released his new CD today... it should fit nicely in the stocking! P.S., I'm editing his interview right now... it's damn good and will be up before the end of the month.

"Dear Blues Harmonica Player:

I’m pleased to announce the release of Southbound, my second solo album. Southbound isn’t just the album’s title: it’s the opening track—an Allman Brothers remake—and the story of this particular harp player’s life over the past decade. continue reading...

Join Mark Hummel for his insights into Little Walter's sound...

One of the challenging bending combinations found in 2nd Position is in playing the notes of the V Chord (known as an arpeggio when you play them in order). As you've learned in Improvising Study 4, the more experienced a player is, the more notes of the chord they use on the V (bar 9 and the last half of bar 12).

For the C Harmonica in 2nd Position they're the notes D F# A. This is 1 2' 3" on the lower octave. continue reading...

For more detailed information on years, models and circuits visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Bassman
For a much deeper look at the circuit design visit: http://www.ampbooks.com/home/classic-circuits/bassman-summary/

Richard Sleigh has 35 years experience playing the harmonica, including studio work for films, TV shows, radio, as well as performing with a wide variety of acts from Bo Diddley to the Bridgeton Symphony Orchestra. Richard is respected as one of the world’s top harmonica customizers, working in the Filisko guild of customization. Richard has developed tools for working on harmonicas (covered in our Harp Tech lessons) as well as written one of the best books on the subject. This interview was conducted in Norfolk, Virginia in August of 2011. continue reading...

I had my buddy Mark Overman over last night to play with our Bassmans. He helped me to acquire an early Bassman reissue for our Bassman Diaries series. We spent a number of hours filming, changing tubes, etc. After he left I had to get my practice in for the night, so I turned the Bassman to a whisper-quiet volume and practiced (it was late). continue reading...

Today's tip comes courtesy of student Justin, who has a love for all things rock harmonica! Below is the bagpipe parts at 1:30 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuFd4MIa2eU).

Key: Bb

OPTION #1 - Bb Harmonica in 1st Position

Opening Bend = 3' 3 4+ (slur all notes)

Solo = 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 5 6+ 5 5+… / 5+ 5 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 5 6+ 5 5+… / Guitar, then 8'+ 8+ 10+, repeat this for a total of 4x / long held notes = 3' 3" 2, repeat for a total of 4x / Ending slides = 2 2" 2+ 1+

OPTION #2 - Eb Harmonica in 2nd Position

Opening Bend = 2" 2' 2 (slur all notes) continue reading...