General Discussion

I tried to comment on the last Harmonica Masterclass Workshop post in the "What's New" forum but couldn't so.......... continue reading...

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a book or video that can explain to me how to adjust reeds for easier bending. Does anyone know where I can obtain this information?

As I am learning to tongue block, I am also finding it harder to bend hole #3 and bending higher key harps, which lip pursed bending was easier.

Regards
Harmonica Hank

Like some of you, I've been frustrated that the Crossover is so hard to get right now. Poking around on the 'net, I found this statement by Steve Baker on the Harp-l site. The post was dated January 10th and was in response to someone questioning Musician's Friend's website stating that the Crossover has been discontinued:

"Musicians Friend is mistaken, Hohner has definitely not
discontinued the Crossover. As the latest addition to the Marine Band
range, it was only introduced in August 2009 - the instruments
available at SPAH were the very first to come off the production line continue reading...

Can someone recommend good harp literature. I know David wrote a tons of them, you can see the list on the "About David Barrett" section.

What would be a good reference book.

What about magazine or biography.

Hello i'm new to the site. I've been playing Harmonica for 3 months and i take lessons with a great blues player here in Quebec, Canada

I'm very pleased with the content. David really is a great teacher. The song study goes well with my private lessons. Interview are amazing, and one of the best feature of the site.

I think a section for newcomer/introduction would complete the forum, it's usually the first place i post to introduce myself and check out other members from the community.

Mac

The piece Joe Filisko plays in the 'Closing' section of his interview is amazing, and rich with all kinds of technique. I've been trying to figure out the opening part - not that I can play it, but it's cool to try. I think he's doing this: the opening drone is one draw and three draw at the same time, but with only the three draw bent (how?). Next I think he's playing three blow and then shimmering between one blow and three blow. Does anyone know a) if I'm on the right lines here and b) how you do the split with only one note bent?

In Search Of Jeffery M. Carp

Carp Played Some Harp on the CDs
''Muddy & the Wolf'' and ''The Best of John Lee Hooker 65-70''

Who was he, and what happened to him?

Are There Any Blues History Buffs Out There?

David, your mention of the position play lessons in "What's New" got me wondering - are there video lessons that are not included in the basic, intermediate, and advanced lesson plans? I assume there are (Solo Harmonica Study and Position Playing as examples). Is it possible to arrange all of those unaffiliated lessons into a separate page so that those of us going through the lesson plans can easily know which ones we can add to our learning process? As I go through this process, I don't want to miss a single lesson. continue reading...

Going through these lessons, I'm finding that a softer touch seems to help me hit the notes and even go faster. Blowing lightly helps me with my tone and technique - even with things like shakes. My breathing seems easier to manage, too. On the other hand, while the sound is not too soft, it's not too loud either.

So I'm wondering, how much do we really need to blow in these things? Is a nice, light touch all that is required, or should I be practicing blowing like there's no tomorrow?

I have always used Suzuki Promasters....and have been able to bend on the C but with the D it seems it is more difficult to get the bends going esp. on 3 draw. Is this my imagination?