volume

Yesterday I shared some reasons of why I don't like volume controls. Here are some reasons why a volume control can be good...

1) Set your volume control to 10, and the amp as loud as it can go just before feedback. Now drop your volume on the mic to 8. This 8 will be your normal volume, even for solos (remember to play softly as your normal playing volume... you want to have dynamic range so that you can play louder for your solo). If the band gets too excited and plays too loudly, then you know you have two more notches on your volume to get louder. continue reading...

Why I don't like about volume controls...

1) The harmonica is a wind instrument... you control your volume with how much you breath through the instrument. Why do you need a volume control to control something that's part of the nature of the instrument? continue reading...

Yesterday I was communicating with an experienced player that recently began studying at BluesHarmonica.com. He sent in a study song submission and one of my suggestions was to play softer. He sounded good, but I could tell he was pushing the harp louder than he needed to. He replied that he's been playing with a band for a while, which is what I expected. Here was my response. These points are important for amplified players to keep in mind.

---

Yes, playing with a band tends to bring your “default” volume up. Here’s how Little Walter did it... continue reading...

I mentioned some benefits of playing softly. One of the key benefits is the longevity of your harps. However, a major epiphany for me as a player was when I realized just how softly and relaxed Big Walter was playing (he’s my favorite classic player). Everyone recognizes Big Walter’s tone as being fantastic. Both Big and Little Walter played softly for the majority of what they played, giving them great dynamic range for when they wanted to “hit it hard.” continue reading...

Another comment I give daily in my teaching is to play softer, especially when playing amplified. Play at 40% of your capable volume as your normal volume. This gives you great dynamic range for expression later in the song. Little Walter did this and it worked for him. Have a great weekend everyone!

Excessive volume from the band is an extremely common problem for harmonica players. We have issues hearing ourselves (which causes feedback problems trying to raise above the volume of the band) and all ideas of musicality and dynamics are thrown out the window. Here are some tools you can use to help combat this... continue reading...

Listening to Kim's "Hunch Rhythm" I'm sure you noticed that he didn't reserve dynamic change for only chord change, he also would...

1) Start a lick soft and then finish LOUD

2) Start a lick LOUD and then finish soft

3) Start a lick soft, then go LOUD and back to soft

4) Start a lick LOUD, then go soft and back to LOUD

5) Play punctuated note(s) VERY LOUD to surprise and excite you continue reading...

Listening to Little Walter's "Off the Wall" you noticed that he played each chorus at a different volume. He started off very strong and then dropped his volume low for Chorus 2. He then brought his volume way up again for Chorus 3 and then down for Chorus 3, and so on.

The turnaround is the most recognizable location in the blues and is a great place to remind us to change our volume. continue reading...

Now that you've recorded yourself to a jam track, listen back to your use of dynamics (volume change). Did you stay at the same volume the entire time?... if you did, it's not uncommon, but it's time to fix this.

Varying volume is the strongest tool available to us to convey emotion to the listener. Along for the ride is tone. As we change our volume, our tone and how our rig (mic and amp) responds changes. This is why we use the term "dynamics" and not just volume change... when we change the volume, many other factors are dynamically changed with it. continue reading...

My buddy Pete asked me to discuss how loud pro players play on the harmonica...

In my early years, everyone was playing unmodified Hohner Marine Bands. At that time, the combs were not sealed and the harps weren't set up as well as they are now, so most players played with a lot of force/volume. For those that used Hohner Special 20's, they still played loudly, but slightly less so, due to the consistency of the plastic comb. continue reading...