What's New!

In our last installment of the Vintage PA Head Chronicles I start to walk you through my personal collection, starting with the Masco ME-8 (single 6L6 at 8 watts) and ME-18 (dual 6L6's at 18 watts). To watch this video, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

The 3 draw has the largest range of bends on the diatonic harmonica. Controlling the 3 draw bends, and how those bends match the chord changes in the blues, is key to advanced blues harmonica playing. In this lesson I'll show you an intuitive way to navigate the 3 draw and its bends over the chords in the blues. You'll need an A Harmonica for this study. To dig into this lesson go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/3_draw_rule

For those interested in the early FoxChase and LostJohn style of harmonica playing, Joe Filisko has written a new study song, available for purchase here https://www.filiskostore.com/product/DFD%20A The study song is for all levels (no bending required).

In this Artist Study we dig into the octave-focused blues chromatic styling of George "Harmonica" Smith. This study is for players that have completed Blues Chromatic Study 4. To dig into this study go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/artist_study_george_harmonica_smith

Thank you to everyone who entered this songwriting contest…we really enjoyed all of your submissions. Congratulations to the 1st Place winner Olivier Vander Bauwede from Gent, Belgium…the 2nd Place winner Pat Collet from Washington, USA…the 3rd Place winner Seán Plunkett from Dublin, Ireland…and honorable mention (4th Place) to Hartmut Kaestner from Niedersachsen, Germany. Big thanks goes to Hohner Harmonicas for sponsoring the prizes for the contest, and Sharon Barrett and Joe Filisko for taking their time to judge each of the submissions.

All of the submissions are now in for the current songwriting contest. Go check them out at https://www.bluesharmonica.com/contest and leave comments if you have the time. I just finished reviewing them... great job everyone... there's some excellent playing going on.

In this Artist Study we dig into one of my favorite compositions that I've written, "Lick Train" from my Serious Fun CD. This shuffle with breaks showcases the entire range of the harmonica, and the majority of techniques that it has to offer. This study is for players that have completed Bending Study 5 and Tongue Blocking Study 5. You will need the A Harmonica for this study. To dig into this study, visit https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/artist_study_david_barrett

Our current songwriting contest starts today. Go here for more information https://www.bluesharmonica.com/contest

In this Artist Study we dig into a study of Rice Miller’s chordal, unaccompanied approach to playing the harmonica. This study is for players that have completed Bending Study 3 and Tongue Blocking Study 3. I use two harmonicas in this study: the Low-C for the video recording and a Low-F for the audio recording. I personally like to use the Low-C for the study song, so I used it in the video, but for the recorded MP3 I used the Low-F. continue reading...

Participate in our current songwriting contest here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/contest