General Discussion

I was listening to the Happy Hour Podcast where Carlos del Junco was being interviewed. 

Happy Hour Podcast: Carlos del Junco interview

Carlos teaches something I would not have thought of doing when learning a new song.  Here is what he suggests trying.

Step 1:  Familiarize yourself with each bar of the music. (12 Bar Blues as an example)

Step 2:  Learn bar 12 well. continue reading...

Hello I've purchesed a G harmonica - can I do the introductory lessons on this or should I purchase an A for the introductory lessons.

Thanks

Ian

When bending are we supposed to be tongue blocking or puckering. Not sure if I'm doing the bending exercise if I should be doing tongue blocking.

I was caurious to see if there were any players that played with the numbers down.  Found that there are advanced players and some famous that play/played like that.  Apparently they grip with the right hand and the low notes are towards the webbing of the right hand.  One youtuber claimed that he saw no advantage and just learned without realizaing that there were numbers on the harmonica. continue reading...

Everybody will have diffrent motives for learning the Harmonica.  Some of mine are: it will always be with me ready to play in the car (while stopped), help me develop my ear and understand chords.  I have played clarinet and sax off and on for 50+ years and sometimes got paid but I am a slave to sheet music and not satisifed with my solos.  Attempting to learn guitar, keys to force me to learn and understand chords so I can do "head arrangments". continue reading...

Hello; 

I was wondering if something is wrong with my harmonica or is it just me not doing it right. I've spent 1 week trying to bend on 1 2 3 4 6 holes of my harmonica but can only bend on 1st hole of the harmonica; I can't manage to pull it off on the other holes. I have the same issue with another harmonica so I'm finding it quite strange that the the harmonicas are both faulty... continue reading...

Anybody tried playing with your harmonica under a mask?  I have seen Joe and another play with it in their mouths https://youtu.be/KNuOHwDU2qs  https://youtu.be/eDg68yFHo9k  https://youtu.be/JOTFQ1-KCVU  Need to retool for Covid.  Might replace the harp rack.

Update: Quick search answered my question https://youtu.be/wp8NIXjg3GE  https://youtu.be/wp8NIXjg3GE  This is the wrong way https://youtu.be/PufSwod-TLQ  Maybe with a Darth Vader mask? https://youtu.be/lu9gaK7Tl4o https://youtu.be/2AOnclWVy1o

Hi there, im finding learning new licks and memorizing them a real challenge. Can anyone give me any tips on how i can build up harp vocab or point me in the right direction. i've been learning chorus forms, but im getting a little bit bored of playing the same licks. I really can't see myself having lots of licks stored that i can pull out.Does anyone know of any good blues licks books/ebooks, as im eager to learn.

thanks.

Mark

There was a fun harmonica performance on the TV show Americas Got Talent last night by Brothers Gage. I enjoyed it but was disappointed when it was time for the judges to speak. Sofia said when she heard the act was going to be a harmonica piece, she was dreading it.  Then Howie said he always thought harmonica was the most annoying instrument in the world. In the end all 4 judges liked what they heard and voted the duo through. continue reading...

Hi,

I'm usually not in the habit of sharing videos, but today I came across about a session with the amazing Wynton Marsalis,

"Leaning the Blues":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AC0T7zrni0

He goes over the train, the blues scale, the 12-bar form, call-and-response, the AAB structure of Blues lyrics and more in the manner of 20 minutes.

Very impressive, and I think there's a nugget of information in there for everybody here.

Best,

Cornelius