What's New!

Hohner just announced their new series of super low tuned harmonicas called the Thunderbird... to be released at the upcoming Frankfurt Music Fair. Hopefully coming to a store near you soon!

In your last study you learned how to use repetition to create memorable solos and instrumentals. In this study you’ll learn the art of Focus Notes (helps in your lick decision process and in moving you around the range of the harmonica), Textures and Rhythm. This study is for all skill levels, though it is recommended that you have completed up to Bending and Tongue Blocking Studies 2. You’ll need a B-flat Harmonica for this study. continue reading...

Writing an instrumental arrangement based on a vocal tune or another great harp player's instrumental is tons of fun to do (this type of writing is also allowed for our new Shuffle King contest). Watch the videos "Harmonica Tribute Instrumental Writing" and "Harmonica Arrangement Writing"at http://www.bluesharmonica.com/shuffle_king_contest for more information on this topic.

Joe's latest lessons on improvising and songwriting is now up. Make sure to check out the PDF at the top of the page.

- Checking in after Lesson 19 [PDF for this Lesson at Top of Page]
- Joe Plays his Assignment
- Critique on Joe's Assignment
- "Temperature" Analysis Part 1
- "Temperature" Analysis Part 2
- "Temperature" Analysis Part 3
- Writing Assignment & Closing for Lesson 20

Gary Smith continues his insight into songwriting with his second recorded blues harmonica instrumental "Solid Sender."

Submission #12 - Song Writing 3, Solid Sender, Part 1
Submission #12 - Song Writing 3, Solid Sender, Part 2

Join Aki for his interview with up and coming young harp player Nick Clark.

Submission #7 - Interview with Nick Clark, Part 1
Submission #7 - Interview with Nick Clark, Part 2

Gary Smith continues his insight into songwriting with his first recorded blues harmonica instrumental "Your Cat Will Play."

Submission #11 - Song Writing 2, Your Cat Will Play, Part 1
Submission #11 - Song Writing 2, Your Cat Will Play, Part 2

Joe's latest lessons on improvising and songwriting are now up.

- Checking in after Lesson 18
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Joe's A B/A C Example 1
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Joe's A B/A C Example 2
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Applying Chorus Forms - Part 1
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Applying Chorus Forms - Part 2
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Applying Chorus Forms - Part 3
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Homework Assignment
- Improvising (Chorus Forms) Closing Words

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Gary Smith starts his journey of walking you through his songwriting process.

Submission #10 - Song Writing 1, Intro
Submission #10 - Song Writing 1, Head & Hook
Submission #10 - Song Writing 1, Breaks
Submission #10 - Song Writing 1, Unison
Submission #10 - Song Writing 1, Instrumentation
Submission #10 - Song Writing 1, Final Thoughts