General Discussion

I have a lesson with a top level pro passing through my hometown , what questions would you ask?

People have a lot of strange ideas about the harmonica, and as a player I'm sure you've heard one or two in your time.

The oddest one I can think of (though in a story told by someone else) was of a woman who worked in a nightclub and would watch the guy playing harmonica, holding it in his hands and making all sort of hand shapes. One night they got talking and she asked him if you got different notes by squeezing it with your hands, sort of like a rubber duck toy. (Hey, it was a logical deduction.)

So what's your oddest harmonica story?

Have a look at this it may help.
www.singingwood.com/Frustration.html

WOW!, loved this new addition to the site Dave. Really insightful and interesting and I can't say enough about the jam at the end very cool!!!!

These are all fantastic players but for me Joe's acoutic playing is just ...WOW!, it's inspirational.

Don't get me wrong I loved everything Dennis and Rod did the chromatic stuff I'm falling in love with (don't own one yet!, but will soon!) continue reading...

For those in the UK check out West Weston web site for his custom harps £40 plus postage ,just got a G harp and it's great so different than an out the box harp.

Well its already been 1year i started playing the harp and i have learn so much stuff its just crazy. i am having so much fun!!
Bluesharmonica and Paul Lassey are my two biggest motivation to play the intrusment!

To mark my 1st year i did a little impro on some melodic backtrack to test my skills.

I am using a Lee Oskar E Natural Minor harp.

Harp jam - E Minor
http://sd-2.archive-host.com/membres/playlist/7166932265594460/e-minor-H...

hope you all enjoy it.

Cheers!
Sath

My day job as a family physician causes me to look at a lot of things from a certain perspective.
I've seen some literature about the possible healthful benefits of harmonica playing, and I have no doubt that there are salutory effects. I can personally attest to some (physically and mentally).

But I'd be interested in a non-scientific study of harmonica-related (or suspected harmonica-related) illnesses, injuries, and conditions. continue reading...

Okay, now I know you'll say, how can it get any easier? You just slide a harp into your pocket and go. Well, some of us still need the help of Bluesharmonica.com - and we'd like to have our amp sound, too. So here's what I do, and maybe you might want to try it, too. continue reading...

Watching Rod Piazza's interview reminded me of a documentary I watched a few years ago titled "Before the Music Dies." If you haven't seen it, it discusses how the music industry has turned itself into a McDonald's-style factory, with innovation and talent essentially stifled in exchange for manufactured crap. continue reading...

Here's something fun that I found.

I'm sure some of you remember the 60's band Canned Heat. They - like The Butterfield Blues Band - straddled the blues and rock genre with well-known rock songs like "Let's Work Together," "On The Road Again," and "Going Up Country." Most of their straight blues work were cover songs, and they really did span the gamut, playing tunes by Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, and Steve Cropper. In later years, they transitioned - like Eric Clapton and Van Morrison - into all blues. continue reading...