blues harmonica

Let's now talk about the first note for each position...

1) 1st Position: A Harp - 6+
A) Single note
B) Slap
C) Flutter
D) Octave (3+/6+)

2) 2nd Position: D Harp - 4
A) Single note
B) Dip (start bent and release quickly)
C) Addition of 5 (bluesy/dirty)
D) Shake (4/5)
E) Slap
F) Flutter
G) Octave

3) 3rd Position: G Harp - 6
A) Single note
B) Dip
C) Addition of 7 (VERY dirty)
D) Shake (6/7 VERY dissonant, but we do use it now and again)
E) Slap
F) Flutter

Let's now take a look at what we have so far...

1) First Position: A Harp - 6+ 6+ 5 5+ 4+ 4+ = Pitches: E E D C# A A = 5 blows and 1 draw

2) Second Position: D Harp - 4 4 4+ 3 2 2 = Pitches: E E D C# A A = 5 draws and 1 blow

3) Third Position: G Harp - 6 6 6+ 5 4 4 = Pitches: E E D C A A = 5 draws and 1 blow continue reading...

Transcription and MP3 recordings are now up for the new Repertoire Builder song "Take It Easy Now." If you've finished Bending and Tongue Blocking Studies 2 then give this song a try, it's a real nice slow blues in G (C Harmonica in 2nd Position) with tons of great dynamic use.

And now deeper...

1) 1st Position: A Harp - 6+ 6+ 5 5+ 4+ 4+ = Pitches are E E D C# A A

2) 2nd Position: D Harp - 4 4 4+ 3 2 2 = Pitches are E E D C# A A

3) 3rd Position: G Harp - 6 6 6+ 5 4 4 = Pitches are E E D C A A

Joe Filisko is one of the great blues harmonica educators of our modern time (ever really). As you watch each of his 18 Harmonica Insights write down the main ideas, making a list for yourself to save, print out, and review on a regular basis to get the most out of what Joe is teaching.

Gary Smith's newest Submission (#25) for Song Writing (#16) is "Midnight at 7 Bamboo"