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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

Backing track

Posted Thu, 11/01/2018 - 05:43 by sekuza65
sekuza65's picture

Hi

Dos anyone knows or have a backing track for Big Walter Horton Blues Harp Shuffle?

 

Regards

Michael 

Folsom Prison Blues

Posted Fri, 10/26/2018 - 15:36 by Dodger
Dodger's picture

Hi

I’m just a beginner but like this tune and can play some of it but has anyone got a nice blues version of this song? 

I’d like to hear it 

  • 1 comment

Learning curve

Posted Wed, 10/24/2018 - 16:26 by RB
RB's picture

When you learn songs you expect you get better with every repetition, don't you?

I've noticed that sometimes my performance get worse and worse. Have you noticed anything like that?

Also - sometimes I notice that when playing becomes almost automatic, and then I start to think - "how did I just done that?", that will break automation and I cannot play it at all.

Also - the song which I havent' played for a while, say few weeks - it's like I have to relearn it again. continue reading...

  • 3 comments

Facial Hair (Moustache)

Posted Thu, 10/18/2018 - 05:53 by WilliamDavies
WilliamDavies's picture

I apologise if this is a silly question.As a complete beginner, who has considerable facial hair, I would like to know whether the moustache can impede harmonica playing. If so, then is a simple trim around the lips (to clear the lips of hair) a suitable solution? Many thanks.

bendiing breakthrough

Posted Wed, 10/17/2018 - 06:17 by Monty Wheeler
Monty Wheeler's picture

Wow!  last night, it finally hit me. a breakthrough. I've messed around with bending quite a bit and never quite got it.  struggled with 1 draw and 2 draw whole step bend.  and 3rd 3 draw bend.

in learning to hit clean and with good tone the 4 and 6 draw bends, I kept playing back what expert Winslow Yerxa (I beleive) said about the K-spot when I posted about the sensation of having to swallow my tonge to get the bends. continue reading...

  • 1 comment

Riffstation free download

Posted Wed, 10/17/2018 - 05:12 by Gnat
Gnat's picture

Just a heads up, I discovered riffstation is  now free.

 

https://pro.riffstation.com/

I know it has been discussed previously in another thread.

 

cheers

Gnat

Learning notes and chords

Posted Mon, 10/15/2018 - 15:00 by gwknopp@gmail.com
gwknopp@gmail.com's picture

guys, Ive been working on this for some time and Im just wondering how the heck did you guys learn these chords on the harp from memory.  I dont think Im dumb but memorizing the chords with the holes on the harp as they are is one tall order for me. 

Im trying to play the chord notes along with a study song as a learning mechanism.  I have them laid out on a spreadsheet in colors by I IV V etc.  Thats a good visual but its still has to be branded in your head.

Any other study techniques you have used?

  • 1 comment

Notes playing sharp on A Harp

Posted Fri, 10/12/2018 - 12:40 by gwknopp@gmail.com
gwknopp@gmail.com's picture

I know may of you more advanced players write about retuning harps.  Im an intermediate player and have noticed that my A harps play shart.  This is found on 4, 6 and 8 draws for example.  In fact my Hohner Special 20 plays along a quarter hole sharp.  I also have a Hohner Blue midnight which also plays shart but not quite as much.

Is this normal?  Since 4 and 6 are bendable Im wondering if its my embrecure.  

On a tuner my 8 draw comes in at 1000Hz should be around 980Hz.  

Should I be concerned about this?

Gary

2nd position

Posted Thu, 10/11/2018 - 13:51 by Monty Wheeler
Monty Wheeler's picture

it's like a ball bat to the head when you thought you understood something and find out that you may not have.

here's my question.

is second positon ONLY played on the lower register of the harp?  

if I referenced the C harp, F is sharped when playing in G and playing cross harp.  got that much.  ignoring the initial pick up notes, if one trys to play a song the begins and ends on G notes, just starting on the 6 blow G isn't necessarily playing in second position or is it?  continue reading...

  • 4 comments

Playability?

Posted Tue, 10/09/2018 - 01:15 by NickStu
NickStu's picture

Is a Hohner Crossover easier to play than an Special 20, or does it just sound better?? From a new player perspective. Also, plastic sound holes vs timber/bamboo, is this just a personal preference?

  • 3 comments
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