What's New!

Here's the video demonstration I just did of MegaTone's newest changes to the Wezo ME18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkipkq09mNg

The Rhumba King blues harmonica instrumental songwriting contest is coming to an end soon! The top three entries will win entrance to Europe's leading harmonica education event, the Harmonica Masters Workshops (http://www.harmonica-masters.de/) in Trossingen, Germany 10/31-11/4/2012 as well as have the opportunity to perform their compositions live with B.B. & the Blues Shacks at the Harmonica Masters Concert Friday evening November 2nd! continue reading...

Join Gary Smith and I in our continuing journey of the accompanying harmonica player's role.

Videos include:
- Submission #32 - Accompaniment Playing 4: How the Band Affects what We Play, Part 1
- Submission #32 - Accompaniment Playing 4: How the Band Affects what We Play, Part 2
- Submission #32 - Accompaniment Playing 4: Starting the Band
- Submission #32 - Accompaniment Playing 4: Blues Break
- Submission #32 - Accompaniment Playing 4: Fragmentation
- Submission #32 - Accompaniment Playing 4: Knowing What You Want in Music continue reading...

Join Mark Hummel in his latest submission where he speaks of the influence of James Cotton and Junior Wells.

Videos Include
- Submission #21 - James Cotton & Junior Wells: Cotton, Part 1
- Submission #21 - James Cotton & Junior Wells: Cotton, Part 2
- Submission #21 - James Cotton & Junior Wells: Wells, Part 1
- Submission #21 - James Cotton & Junior Wells: Wells, Part 2
- Submission #21 - James Cotton & Junior Wells: Final Thoughts

Join me for our third lesson on Music Theory for the Blues Harmonica Player, where we explore the intervallic relationship between notes of the scale, chords and our familiar 12 Bar Blues Progression. In this lesson you'll learn: interval names; the three triad chord qualities; about 7th and 9th Chords; the notes of the 12 Bar Blues Progression; about minor keys and chords; and how to play the notes of each chord within the 12 Bar Blues Progression. This lesson is for intermediate skill levels players. You'll need a C Harmonica for this study. continue reading...

Singer, songwriter and stellar blues harmonica player Jim Liban was known throughout the midwest in the 1970's as the leader of Short Stuff, the innovative Milwaukee based ensemble that pioneered the blues & rock sound later identified with bands like the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Stevie Ray Vaughn. He continues to perform in a more traditional vein with his trio. He has international cult status as one of the foremost post-war blues harmonica stylists, and many of his original songs have been recorded by national blues artists like Johnny Winter and Lonnie Brooks. continue reading...

In this lesson Ryan continues his studies on improvising and starts his theory studies.

- CHECKING IN - Between Lessons #7 and #8
- Lesson 8 - Intro & Ryan plays Ending to Strut
- Lesson 8 - Improvising: AAA Chorus Form with Fills Review, Part 1
- Lesson 8 - Improvising: AAA Chorus Form with Fills Review, Part 2
- Lesson 8 - Improvising: AAB Chorus Form
- Lesson 8 - Improvising: AAB Chorus Form with Fills
- Lesson 8 - Improvising: A B/A C Chorus Form, B = Contrast
- Lesson 8 - Improvising: A B/A C Chorus Form, B = Little Change continue reading...

Join me for an interview with blues harmonica player, recording artist, producer, historian and author ("Blues with A Feeling, The Little Walter Story") Scott Dirks. This interview was held in Chicago, Illinois in June of 2012. continue reading...

In our sixth study harp tech expert Kinya Pollard (aka The HarpSmith) walks you through how to size a reed slot on the harmonica. This lesson video is for all skill level players.

Videos: Introduction to Reed Slot Sizing; Principals of Reed Slot Sizing; Reed Slot Sizing with UST (Ultimate Sizing Tool); Reed Slot Sizing with UST and Light Box; Fixing the Reed Slot if You Go Too Far; Tip Scooping; Adjusting the Reed’s Profile after Reed Slot Sizing; Reed Slot Sizing Closing Words

Join me for our second lesson on Music Theory for the Blues Harmonica Player, where we explore modes and positions. In this lesson you'll learn: what modes are associated with each position; how to figure out what key you and the band are playing in for the various positions; and how to make your own harmonica position chart. continue reading...