What's New!

In our last lesson I taught you different methods of how to figure out the key of a song. The next step is to figure out which key of harmonica an artist is using on a recording. Our default position on the harmonica is 2nd Position, but we have two other positions that are commonplace in the blues... 1st and 3rd. In this lesson I'll share with you the traits of these positions in order to help you better recognize which position an artist may be playing in. Go here to study this lesson https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/ear_training_study_2_figuring_out...

In our latest installment of the Bell 2122 amp restoration, Dale explains the circuit he wired into the Bell. To watch this video go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

In this time-lapse video (8x speed... not so fast that you can't see the detailed work) we observe Dale wire our Bell 2122 amp. This is an amazing opportunity to look over the shoulder of an amp expert as he wires an amp from start to finish. To watch this video go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

In this video we see the arrival of the amp at DJL Vintage Audio. Dale walks us through the circuit he's going to install in the Bell 2122 and you'll see a time-lapse video of him stripping the amp. To watch this video go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

The second session of my interview with Sharon is up on the site. In this session we talk about improvising, accompaniment playing, tongue blocking, 3rd Position, 1st Position, the chromatic, 2nd Position high end playing, the twelve bar blues structure, dealing with non-twelve bar blues, minor playing, and David's gear. You can watch the videos here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/david_barrett_0

The latest installment of my interview with Sharon is up on the site. In this segment I speak of the starting of School of the Blues in San Jose, CA (2002 to 2020) and BluesHarmonica.com (2007 to present). You can watch the videos here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/david_barrett_0

In this Artist Study, we dig into Andy Just’s rockin’ blues harmonica song “Misery.” This study is for players that have completed Bending Study 4 and Tongue Blocking Study 3. You will need a D Harmonica for this study. To dig in, go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/artist_study_andy_just

The latest installment of my interview with Sharon is up on the site. In this segment I speak of the lesson books I wrote for Mel Bay Publications, the articles I wrote for various magazines, and the Harmonica Masterclass Workshops (1994 through 2016). You can watch the videos here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/david_barrett_0

In this video I have a Zoom call with Dale Laslie of DJL Vintage Audio (and MegaTone Amps). We discuss the Bell 2122 suitability for restoration and customization for harmonica; what Dale generally looks for in a classic amp to make sure it'll make for a good project; and we make a plan on how we're going to proceed with the build. To watch this video go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles

In this video we start our series on the Bell 2122 head. I'll share the original eBay listing where the amp was purchased; why I chose this head; if we got lucky with the purchase (did the gamble of buying a head online pay off); and set the game plan of sending the head off to Dale Laslie of DJL Vintage Audio (and MegaTone Amps). To watch this video go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/vintage_pa_head_chronicles