What's New!

In Gary Smith's latest submission he covers his approach to setting up the tone controls of his amp. He also shares his insights on dialing in delay and reverb as wells as tips on micing and using stage monitors.

Joe's latest submission of train imitations is up with a study of William McCoy.

In this video Joe digs into a tune by Edward Hazelton.

I'm proud to say that I'll once again be participating in this fine event. I'll be teaching Band Leading, Songwriting and Performance Training classes throughout the week. The new Harmonica Masters Workshops website is online (http://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/workshops.html) and contains a wealth of information... the instructors, their classes, accommodations guide and online registration. I look forward to working with everyone soon!

Winslow Yerxa is a harmonica player, performer, author, inventor, and teacher centered in San Francisco, California. His lifelong quest to understand the harmonica (and help others do the same) began early on, when he couldn't find a teacher and had to figure everything out the hard way. Winslow has authored the books Harmonica For Dummies and Blues Harmonica For Dummies and is a forum expert here are BluesHarmonica.com. continue reading...

In this lesson we'll study the melodic devices used by trained songwriters and how those ideas can be used for your instrumental songwriting. The greats of blues harmonica use these devices subconsciously in their improvising. Our focus is to identify these devices, study them, and practice them so that you too can use these ideas in your songwriting, and eventually in your improvising. This lesson is for advanced skill level players (or those generally interested in the art of songwriting). You'll need the B-flat harmonica for this study. continue reading...

HarpNinja is an invaluable program for those working on their bending skills. Join me for a quick screen-cast lesson on this software. For more information and to purchase this program visit: http://harpninja.com/wp/ This is lesson is for all skill level players. No harmonica is needed for this lesson.

In this lesson Ryan continues his work on Improvising (V-IV-I licks), Accompaniment (Hole Changes), Solo Harmonica playing (Charleston rhythm) and the slow blues study song with breaks, "Blues Creapin' Over Me."

Lesson 23 - Intro & Accompaniment Study 3: Harmonica and Chord Review
Lesson 23 - Accompaniment Study 3: Hole Changes Review
Lesson 23 - Accompaniment Study 3: Blues Creapin’ Over Me
Lesson 23 - Solo Harmonica Study 3: Ex. 1.4
Lesson 23 - Accompaniment Study 3: Ex. 1-8

In this series of videos Gary Smith talks about the common ways to open songs in the Blues.

Videos Include:
Submission #43 - Intros: From the I (one chord)
Submission #43 - Intros: Band in from the IV
Submission #43 - Intros: Hanging on the I
Submission #43 - Intros: From the Turnaround & Playing 12 Bars
Submission #43 - Intros: Free-Form

Rhythm training is already part of your lessons at BluesHarmonica.com, very specifically contained in your Bending and Tongue Blocking study songs. If you would like to dig deeper into the meaning of the rhythm notation used in your sheet music, or are having difficulty with a particular passage within a song you're studying and would like the notated rhythms to help you dial it in, then you're in the right place. We'll also spend time on how to better feel the beat and use a metronome. This lesson is for all skill level players and does not require a harmonica. continue reading...