General Discussion

Anybody get hiccups while playing ? I seem to have problem that just started a couple weeks ago . Any suggestions? Thank you

The latest SPAH Harmonica Happenings quarterly has a fun section by Rob Paparozzi and Ross Garren about their roles in the filming of "A Complete Unknown," tipping their hats to other behind-the-scenes contributors like Kinya "The Harpsmith" Pollard and Joe Filisko. 

And if you're a gear freak, especially about mics and recording equipment, check out this fascinating video from movie consultant Joshua Lutz of JML Recording Studios in New Jersey. All of those mics in the movie are real, and period-correct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggVVbhvTaXw.

  continue reading...

Hi

Is there a section that expands on Chorus forms?

Best wishes

Since 2015, April 18h has been National Harmonica Day here in the USA. (And no reason the rest of the world can't celebrate as well.) Lots of harp players and makers are posting cool stuff on the worldwide harmonica web. Here's just a sample from Lee Oskar and Playing For Change. Deak Harp. If you're ever in the Missisppippi Delta, go say hi to Deak at his wonderful MIssissippi Saxophone store in downtown Clarksdale. https://playingforchange.com/videos/no-hurry-deak-harp-live-outside

Hi everyone, 

I have a Boss Katana MK II amp that I sometimes play through (e.g., our annual block party... I'm a beginner and not a gigging player). continue reading...

The nice thing about David's video format is I can just hit space bar to stop/start or an arrow key to flip back a few seconds if I miss some fast lick or whatever.

It would be nice to have that functionality for the mp3 backing/jam tracks but Apple Music doesn't seem to do it (hitting an arrow returns to the top), neither does the player in Safari.

Any suggestions?

Adam

i've just started working on Gary's blues. I'm not finding the pulls, slaps and flutters too difficult. But I'm having to work really hard at the Rhythm. Is this other peoples experience?

Dear All,

QQ - Is there a way an Ionian mode song chords can be modified to fit in blues licks without the need to avoid hitting -5 and -9 draw notes (avoid notes).?

I mostly play pop, country and gospel music. I like to use 2nd and 5th positions. 

Avoid Notes - Quick fix

I play major pentatonic in 2nd position to avoid b7 / -5 and -9 draw notes. For Minor I play 5th Postion Minor Pentatonic.

Re-Tuning - Best Fix continue reading...

Congrats to our friend Ross Garren! Here was his recent post:

"Congratulations to Beyonce' and her entire team on winning ALBUM OF THE YEAR (among others) at the Grammy Awards! I am shocked and honored to have played harmonica on a few tracks. Truly a project for the ages, I got to share harmonica duties with Stevie Wonder and record with Willie Neson and producer Raphael Saadiq. I can't believe that last sentence is real -- what a thrill!!

*Of course, Ross is playing the HARPSMITH MBX, Crossover and MB1896 on Pakkawood Comb harmonicas ;o) continue reading...

Hi everyone,

I am prepping for the LoA3 level. I feel pretty good about my study song performance (Feeling for the Blues) and the Solo Harmonica Study as well, but I’m facing a dilemma with the Accompaniment part. What the test requires is fairly achievable for someone at my level. However, the study song in this section (Blues Creepin' Over Me) feels a bit overwhelming at the moment. I think I can conquer it, but it might take several weeks or a couple of months, depending on how much time I devote to it.

Here’s my question: continue reading...