learn to play harmonica online

Today's tip comes from the HarpSmith. Thank you Kinya!

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Hello Everyone. For those of you having a challenging time identifying the correct key signature and tempo to a song that you would like to solo over ... check this out!

A DJ friend of my recently turned me on to a terrific piece of software called, "Mixed in Key." It will analyze any song located on your computer, then identify both the key signature and tempo. continue reading...

“There is nothing more fatal for our musical sense than to allow ourselves—by the hour—to hear musical sounds without really listening to them.” Tobias Matthay, Pg 16, The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness By Gerald Klickstein

“As a general rule, rest 10 minutes of each hour that you spend in the practice room. Rest more if you’re working vigorously or adopting new techniques. A sensible practice-to-rest ratio, widely recommended by teachers and medical authorities, is to practice no more than 25-30 minutes before pausing for a 5-minute respite. Many musicians opt for more frequent breathers and rest 2-3 minutes every 15 minutes or so.” Pg 12, The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness By Gerald Klickstein

Listen to "How Jazz Works" parts 3 and 4. Part 3 contains a great description of the roll that the bass player and drummer takes... the rhythm section. If you like this, check out the first two parts... you can hear it here http://1690wmlb.com/features/jazz-insights/ or get it via podcast at iTunes.

I'm in Trossingen, Germany at Steve Baker's Harmonica Masters Workshop. If you would like to follow my daily reports visit: http://www.facebook.com/bluesharmonica. Pictured here is Steve Baker, Joe Filisko and I video recording footage on the Marine Band Harmonica for Hohner Harmonicas.

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

Though chrome bullet mics look great, they can be very tough to hold due to how slippery chrome feels... especially after a bit of performance sweat. A chrome grill can bring some holding challenges as well.

Solution #1 - Focus on FIRST bringing your palms together, allowing your mic to rest in the cradle created between both hands. In this case you're not HOLDING the mic, it RESTS on your hands. Your fingers then form into their normal cup. This is good cupping advice period... say goodbye to cramping hands! continue reading...

In Joe's latest lesson he covers the importance of posture.