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In this ear training study we’ll dig into learning how to transcribe harmonica parts from recordings. The majority of the music you'll study as a harmonica player will not be transcribed for you (transcriptions are hard to find for the harmonica—especially accurate ones). This lesson will give you the tools to get started into developing this important skill set. Your goal is to walk through this lesson with me and then transcribe the provided MP3 example on your own. continue reading...

In our latest installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles we take a look at a two Bogen amplifiers. To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

In our latest installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles we take a look at a two Newcomb amplifiers (E-10 and E-17). To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

The question and answer portion of my interview is now up https://www.bluesharmonica.com/david_barrett_0

In our latest installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles we take a look at a custom Thordarson amplifier. To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

Unlike other wind instruments (which are blow only), we create music on both the exhale and inhale—we literally breathe music. You would think that we would play inhales and exhales somewhat equivilantly, but it turns out that the choice notes for 2nd Position (our most common position for blues harmonica), especially as we add more bending in our playing as we advance, has us playing ~90% of the time inhaling. Due to this imbalance of breathing, techniques are needed to deal with dynamically getting rid of air. continue reading...

In our latest installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles we take a look at Stromberg-Carlson amplifiers. Thanks to Brian for sharing his Stromberg-Carlson amps from his collection. To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

In our latest installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles we take a look at two Knight heads. To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

There are some good tips on how to deal with stage fright on the July 19th episode of the Hidden Brain podcast (https://hiddenbrain.org). continue reading...

In our latest installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles we take a look at the 1939 Radolek (dual 6L6's ~18 watts). To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles