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General Discussion

Discussion with members pertaining to blues harmonica. Question to head instructor David Barrett should go to "Ask Instructor David Barrett" below

Gary’s blues rhythm

Posted Tue, 03/11/2025 - 03:22 by Roger H
Roger H's picture

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?

  • 6 comments

Playing Blues over Ionian (major) mode Songs

Posted Tue, 02/18/2025 - 02:52 by sundsouza
sundsouza's picture

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...

  • 11 comments

Ross Garren on a Grammy Album

Posted Fri, 02/14/2025 - 19:11 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

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...

  • 1 comment

LoA Level 3 Question for people that fairly recently passed it.

Posted Mon, 02/03/2025 - 16:22 by kvladdan
kvladdan's picture

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...

  • 4 comments

Bucket list'uh black magic

Posted Thu, 01/30/2025 - 14:20 by MattTheHall
MattTheHall's picture

Well, folks -- happy to say I'll be crossing yet another item off my bucket-list next month!

I am performing (mainly as a vocalist) with a bonafide live band on stage. Whoo! Hoping to add some harp to a couple of the songs and have some questions/looking for advice:

  continue reading...

  • 2 comments

Minor Details

Posted Fri, 01/24/2025 - 15:53 by email4
email4's picture

In this 3rd pos minor study David says of the main lick in bar 2 "this is THE most common 3rd position lick".

He goes through each note and says the 3 draw bend of 3 semitones (Ab) is ALWAYS followed by a 3 blow, before going to the 2 draw.

Physically it feels to me that it would be much easier going from the 3 draw bend straight to the 2 draw to get the same note - what am I missing here?

 

Adam

  • 2 comments

SNL Saturday Night Live

Posted Fri, 01/24/2025 - 08:18 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Hey everyone, this Saturday the 25th, Timothee Chamalet, the star of the hit Bob Dylan movie, "A Complete Unknown" will be hosting again, SNL Saturday Night Live!

Rumors have it, performing with Timothee on the bandstand, will be our very own RG (I'm sworn to secrecy). CHECK IT OUT! Support the home team.

*Listen to how cool the HARPSMITH Game Changer/BLUES/B will sound ;O)

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

  • 1 comment

Irish Tunes in Dorian?

Posted Tue, 01/14/2025 - 08:45 by MattTheHall
MattTheHall's picture

Hey folks, looking for a couple of Irish style tune suggestions in Dorian mode to practice 3rd position.

  • 3 comments

Tongue blocking vs U-blocking

Posted Sat, 01/11/2025 - 02:22 by kvladdan
kvladdan's picture

I’ve been lea continue reading...

  • 4 comments

Using a looping pedal to play 12-bar blues

Posted Thu, 01/02/2025 - 09:51 by sparkyburp
sparkyburp's picture

Hi All,

 

I want to play chords using the 12-bar blues form, record them using a loop pedal and then play solo over the top. The problem is that diatonic harps generally seem to have only 2 playable chords. For example, a harp in the key of C played in 2nd position has the I chord (G - draw first 3 holes) and the IV chord (C - blow first 3 holes) but no V chord (should be D chord).

 

Has anyone managed to do this? Using 2 harps would be solution but is it possible with just the one?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark.

  • 3 comments
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