What's New!

A quick note to those studying bending studies #1 through #4 that I have replaced the notation in these lessons. The new versions indicate the recommended use of tremolo and slaps.

Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson's distinctive, soulful style of harmonica has earned him critical acclaim, numerous awards, and a place among Nashville's top session musicians. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Jelly Roll's career has spanned 35 years. He began playing harmonica at age 19 in Cleveland, Tennessee. After touring with several rock, blues and country groups, he settled in Knoxville to work with the Tommy Cole Band. From 1979 to 1989, Jelly Roll played concerts and club dates all across America with Warner Brothers recording artist Con Hunley. continue reading...

A quick note to those studying tongue blocking studies #1 through #3 that I have replaced the notation in these lessons. The new versions indicate the recommended use of tremolo and slaps. I'll soon do this for the bending studies as well soon.

In this lesson I beat up Joe a bit for his lack of focus in regards to technique in his practice. We review "Gary's Blues," choruses 3 and 4 and "Take it Easy Now," Chorus 1. We then dig into "Take it Easy Now," chorus 2.

Join Joe Filisko for his latest installment of "Harmonica Insights" with Posture.

Steve Baker's Harmonica Masters Workshop in Trossingen, Germany is almost here! Dates are 11/2 through 11/5. I'm cutting down on my traveling schedule and this may be my last year instructing, so it would be wonderful to see any of you out there! This workshop week offers the opportunity to study the harp for four days with the world's leading instructors... see amazing concerts and participate in super-fun jam sessions... see the Hohner factory as well as the world's largest collection of harmonicas at the German Harmonica & Accordion Museum. This is a fantastic week... continue reading...

Join Gary Smith for the first of many submissions on Accompaniment Playing.

Join Joe for his latest Harmonica Insight with a discussion on how to Relax and Breathe

Join Joe Filisko for his latest insight... this week on Tongue Blocking.

Philadelphia is home to one of the finest blues harp players in the world, much to the surprise of people not "inside" the blues scene. Over the past thiry-plus years, Steve Guyger with his band, The Excellos, has been dishing out some of the finest blues to be heard anywhere. Steve has toured with the late Jimmy Rogers, among others, and has played with many of the great Chicago bluesmen and contemporary players, yet he remains one of the best kept secrets in blues. continue reading...