What's New!

The entry stage of the Shuffle King is now over. Visit http://www.bluesharmonica.com/shuffle_king_contest to listen to the 22 submissions that came in. Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel and I are now listening to the submissions and will judge the contest... winners to be announced 8/15.

Gary Smith continues his insight into songwriting with his blues harmonica instrumentals "Don't Let Go" & "Hard Times."

It's great to hear all of the submission coming in. You guys are really growing! I'm hearing good use of Chorus Forms, V-IV-I's, Turnarounds and song writing elements such as Heads and Bridges. Keep the great songs coming!

Join Joe Filisko for his his 18 Harmonica Insights. This tip is about teaching.

Join me for a study of one of the four great post war Chicago blues fathers, Little Walter. In this lesson we dig into his hugely influential approach to phrasing. Most of the licks used in the study song "Walter's Mood" are Little Walter's, providing you with great vocabulary for you to study and draw upon for your own improvising. You may record yourself playing to the provided jam track and submit it to me for review if you wish. This study is for advanced skill level players. You'll need G and C Harmonicas for this study. continue reading...

Join Joe Filisko for his introduction to his 18 Harmonica Insights. Each week, counting down from 18, we'll post his insights into the important areas of focus/study for blues harmonica.

Join Mark Hummel for more song writing lessons with "Trial By Fire" from his Married to the Blues CD.

There's only 9 days left to submit your recordings for the Shuffle King Original Blues Harmonica Instrumental Contest! To have the opportunity to win $1,000 in prizes and be judged by Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel and myself (David Barrett), you need to get your submission in soon!

Gary Smith continues his insight into songwriting with his blues harmonica instrumental "Minor Mambo."

Watch Joe Tartaglia edit his original instrumental "Cadillac Repo Blues."

Recording "Cadillac Repo Blues," Editing Part 1
Recording "Cadillac Repo Blues," Editing Part 2
Recording "Cadillac Repo Blues," Editing Part 3
Recording "Cadillac Repo Blues," Editing Part 4
Recording "Cadillac Repo Blues," Closing