What's New!

In this Artist Study, we dig into Jerry Portnoy’s slow blues instrumental, “Blues For Big Nate.” This song will help you to learn more great slow blues licks (for your improvising vocabulary), as well as help you focus on developing big tone for amplified playing. Make sure to check out the bonus footage where Jerry shares the story of Big Nate. This study is for players that have completed Bending Study 3 and Tongue Blocking Study 3. You will need an A Harmonica for this study. Go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/jerry_portnoy_artist_study to get started.

My latest installment of the harmonica microphone review series covers the Rackit! ($99-$299) by BlowsMeAway Productions. You can see the review here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/mic_reviews

This Repertoire Builder song "Jimmy's Reed" does not teach you any new techniques, but places into context what you've worked hard to learn in Bending and Tongue Blocking Studies 2. This song will continue to work these techniques along with giving you a fun song in the style of the great Jimmy Reed to play that contains valuable lick vocabulary for your improvising down the road. continue reading...

In this lesson series Joe Filisko takes what he's taught you and shows you how he incorporates them into his original recorded works. He shares his approach to the songwriting process, the techniques he uses, and how to play the main phrases within those songs. If you don't already own his recorded works, you can purchase them at JoeFilisko.com. In this lesson he covers "Can't Take The Edge," from the Destination Unknown release. You can find this lesson here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/traditional_originals

This note is from Grant Dermody... help out if you're a fan of his music...

Your invitation to the My Dony album campaign launch

Monday, November 18, 2019

11:00 AM Pacific - 2:00 PM Eastern

When the campaign goes live on Indiegogo: https://igg.me/at/my-dony

I hope this finds you warm and well! continue reading...

For those local to the San Jose, CA Bay Area, Mark Hummel is holding a workshop on 1/13/2020. Details from Mark below...

Superstars Of Blues Harp workshop with Magic Dick, Lee Oskar, and Jerry Portnoy

Mon, January 13, 2020
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM PST
Poor House Bistro Studio

Harmonica Workshop with Magic Dick (J Geils Band), Lee Oskar (Lowriders), Jerry Portnoy (Clapton, Muddy Waters), moderated by Mark Hummel with Bob Welsh (Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite). Songs will be performed as well as panel, question & answer period and more. continue reading...

In this lesson series Joe Filisko takes what he's taught you and shows you how he incorporates them into his original recorded works. He shares his approach to the songwriting process, the techniques he uses, and how to play the main phrases within those songs. If you don't already own his recorded works, you can purchase them at JoeFilisko.com. In this lesson he covers "Ballad of the Peg Leg," from the Missed Train Blues CD. You can find this lesson here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/traditional_originals

Producer (and killer harmonica player) Ross Garren contacted Sharon and I about six months ago about doing a collaborative project with his group, The Sheriffs of Schroedingham. Sharon started with the bass line, the overall feel, and where the harp should go, and off we went. We sent Ross a scratch track, he remade the underlying track with cool instrumental parts, and his musical partner, John Schroeder, added multiple string parts. The result is this cool, Halloween-inspired instrumental, Sassy Cat. To listen, visit https://thesheriffsofschroedingham.bandcamp.com/album/sassy-cat. continue reading...

In Gary Smith's latest submission we continue our discussion on dynamics. In this session we speak of changing tone with our hands for amplified playing, head tone, and a final discussion on dynamics. You can find this lesson here http://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/gary_smith

For those of you in the greater New Jersey area, Mark Hummel will be there 9/16/19 for a harmonica workshop. Visit https://markhummel.com/masterclass for details