technique

There's a tendency for new benders to push their tongue hard on the face of the harmonica, using it as a type of anchor for the humping of their tongue. Tension in the front of the tongue, or the pushing of the tongue forwards onto the face of the harmonica, commonly causes thin and airy tone while bending. continue reading...

Here are some tips to help you relax when playing the harmonica. Attention to these elements will improve your tone (tense muscles create a restricted airways = poor tone) and speed (tense muscles are slower, especially in regards to drag when pressing your hands, mouth or tongue onto the harmonica).

1 - Take a couple deep breaths. This relaxes your entire body, importantly your neck and shoulder muscles, which tend to hurt after extended play. continue reading...

Anyone working on tongue blocking techniques will benefit from the use of the Tongue Block Trainer. I use the TBT in my lesson videos at BluesHarmonica.com so that students can see what I'm trying to get them to do. I also give the TBT to each of my private students at School of the Blues so that I can ensure that their tongue is doing the techniques properly. You can see more details about the TBT at the Filisko Store here: http://www.filiskostore.com/page/480389598

In part two of this series John compares microphone placements on an amp, then combines them in various ways. He also covers: stereo treatments, direct injects and line outs, virtual amps (through pedals and rack processors, computer software… even smart phone apps) as well as the influence of phase and polarity between signals. http://www.bluesharmonica.com/harmonica_recording_techniques

In this study we dig into expressive techniques to use with your overblows, specifically dips, quarter tone bends and “false fingering.” You’ll need a Bb Harmonica for this study.

Part 1 of this series offers audio demonstrations from Professor John Shirley of various microphone types and mic placements for recording both acoustic and amplified harmonica. It also outlines issues of audio interference (comb filtering) when combining multiple signals from the same source and provides examples of the use of Direct Injects and Line Outs.

The default way to present a note is with a slap (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tongue_blocking_2)

When it doubt, shake.

Tomorrow starts a series I'll call Laws of Blues Harmonica. These laws cover common practices in regards to the approach of technique on the harmonica and blues music in general. Laws are of course meant to be broken, and should be if you have a musical reason for it (commonly phrasing), but you can generally count on what I'll share with you as being common practice among blues harmonica players of past and present. continue reading...

In this study we’ll define what an overbend is, what notes are available on your harmonica with overbends, how to perform an overblow and provide you with exercises for you to practice overblows on holes 4, 5 and 6. continue reading...