General Discussion

Hey Guys,

i have a problem with my second hole draw. The first hole draw and the third hole draw sounds good but i´m not able to make any sound on the second hole draw. Any advice?

Wow, some of you folks have really pushed along...

i just spent the afternoon recording Feelin' for the Blues, as I'd lost the one I recorded way back whenever it was. I'm actually glad to revisit the tune, as I found my first couple attempts sounded very poor. A good song to focus me on trying to make those bent pitches sound good. Maybe not the most exciting tune but really quite demanding in it's way...of course, it's been 4 or 5 years so I also had to re learn how it goes...happily my capacity to memorise songs has developed since the first time I learned it. continue reading...

I am very new to the Harmonica and really having trouble with single notes. I have tried to get tongue blocking down and just can't seem to get clean notes all the time. I tried the curled tongue (u blocking) and have found it to be actually much easier and can get clearer single notes most of the time. Also moving over holes and back seems much easier. My question is ..anything wrong with using u block? have I given up to easy on tongue block. Really struggling with this.

Appreciate any help

I am 64 years olds and have decided I want to learn how to play the harmonica. Should I start in the levels of Achievement?? Open to any suggestions. I am lost. Is it to late in life for this? I just bought the Hohner special 20 in C

An issue I've identified is my tendency to not close off my nose on the inhale. To remedy this I'm following the Joe Filisko breathing exercises. It's helping a lot, particularly my basic bends, as it's really hard to bend when my nose is open. My approach to the exercises is to do them as a warmup before I start my morning practice routine with BH.com. Right now a harp is in hand but not in my mouth. That's a physical reminder that my breathing is to be harp-specific backwards breathing. I'm on the second part of Joe's exercises where I go slowly from completely empty to completely full. continue reading...

The number of great harp players interviewed is significant and the total number of videos to watch is considerable. A number of different approaches could be taken to begin working through this material, such as subject matter, but I'm wondering if anyone has found a player who provides more information for those who are at the beginning of their harp playing life. Similarly, are there any players interviewed who tend to be more beneficial to intermediate and advanced players.

kudos to sean o'phailen,former minnesota boy,for putting together the first midwest workshop.joe filisko,jimi lee,brandon o. continue reading...

Can anyone help me figure out the last couple of bars of the harp solo on Slim Harpo's Jody Man?

Bar 9: 2" 2" 1

Bar 10: 4' 3 4+ 3 2

And the trouble: Bar 11/12: 2 2'' 1 1+ 1 2   1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

It's close, but no biscuit!

Great song, though....

Kirsty

All,

For tongue blocking I like the approach as decribed and pictured in this link:

http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/playing.html

Basically the tip of my tongue in two holes to the left if the single note I want to sound.  David's first lesson made it sound like the tongue should be below the holes/comb.  I like the tip in a hole as it allows me to know where 

Which is the correct way?  

Hi everyone

I have just received my first crossover in the key of A, and am having trouble with bending the 3 draw.

It seems to take a lot more air to bend compared to my SP 20, in fact I just get a hiss if I play it in the same way to my sp 20.

Are the special 20's a little more forgiving to a beginners bending technique?