What's New!

Join Professor John Shirley as he shows examples of how to use a smartphone to get an amplified blues harmonica tone, rather than an amp and pedals. Software such as Amplitube (used in the lesson) will not only model various tube and solid state amplifiers, but also offers effects, recording, mixing, looping, and the ability to play along with backing tracks… as well as other features. Subscribers can watch this lesson here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/using_smartphone_emulate_amp_live_perform...

In Sharon's latest lesson (#7) she: plays "Temperature," choruses 1 through 5 and learns choruses 6 and 7; practices the Pull; plays her Daily Exercises (Slaps, Flutters, Shakes, and Pulls); and how to create the twelve Major Scales. Subscribers can see Sharon's lessons here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/sharon-barrett

Just received this note from Ronnie Shellist...

On February 9th, 2019 from 9am-1:30pm Pacific U.S., the next Global Blues Harmonica Summit will be taking place. This online, interactive, educational webinar is open for registration now. The upcoming event will center around improvisation beyond the 12 bar blues with lead instructors PT Gazell and Rob Paparozzi. These summits are recorded so you can view later, even if you cannot attend live via the internet on the day of the event. To learn more and sign up, head to BlowYourHarp.com

In Gary Smith's latest submission we start our discussion on dynamics. This lesson series will focus on volume, hand tone, head tone, soloing with dynamics, accompaniment with dynamics, and playing with a band (and the tools you can use to get the band to play with dynamics). You can find this lesson here http://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/gary_smith

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 "Busy Man," from the I.C. Special CD. You can find this lesson here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/traditional_originals

This Repertoire Builder song "Buffet Line" 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 (after LOA-L3). This song will continue to work these techniques, along with giving you a fun song to play that contains valuable lick vocabulary for your improvising down the road. This study is for lower-intermediate skill level players. You'll need an A Harmonica for this study. You can view this lesson here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tongue_blocking_study_27_shuffle

We continue our review of new amps for the harmonica with the HarpGear Double Trouble (2x8” at $1,190). Subscribers can see the review here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/amp_reviews

We continue our review of new amps for the harmonica with the ValveTrain Tall Boy (2x8” at $1,249). Subscribers can see the building and testing of this combo here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/amp_reviews

We just posted more of Sharon's check-ins from the Harmonica Masters Workshops in Trossingen, Germany. We also check in from our home to thank Hohner, Tom of Blue Moon Harmonicas, and to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Subscribers can see this check-in at https://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/sharon-barrett

My latest installment of the harmonica microphone review series covers the Lone Wolf Jason Ricci Signature ($237). You can see the review here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/mic_reviews