What's New!

I'm happy to say our Australian sister Pat Mifsud has won the ticket to the Harmonica Masterclass Workshop to be held in San Jose on May 20-23 of this year. There are more great giveaways coming your way... full list below.

April
Chris Michalek Custom Harmonica ($200 Value)
http://www.youtube.com/user/chrismichalek

Joe Spiers Stage II Custom Special 20 ($100 Value)
http://www.spiersharmonicas.com/

Hohner Special 20 set of 5 Harmonicas and Case ($129 Value)
http://hohnerusa.com/ continue reading...

Blues Chromatic Study 1 is now on the server! The chromatic harmonica is a very intuitive instrument to play the blues on. In this first of five lessons we'll focus on: embouchure, cupping (accoustic and electric), models available, tuning, positions, what the slide does, care and maintanance, an intuitive approach to playing the chromatic and the study song "No Sweat." continue reading...

Fritz Hasenpusch, the Harp Mic Man, will be in to video record an interview and some lesson videos this weekend. If any of you have microphone questions drop me a note in the GEAR SECTION (I'll repeat this in there as well) and I'll ask him.

Joe Tartaglia's newest lesson is on the site. In this lesson he starts on Tongue Blocking Study 2 with the song "Temperature." We also continue his study on the Solo Harmonica Study 1.

Mark Hummel's newest submission is up. Watch behind the scenes footage from his latest Blues Harmonica Blowout (Part of I of II). Footage includes Mark Hummel, Rick Estrin, Mojo Buford, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and James Cotton!

Gary Smith's latest submission is on the site. Gary speaks about how to hold the bullet mic for blues harmonica playing as well as how to set up your amp for the stage and the studio. Gary also shares a personal story about trying to get Junior Wells to play through his rig!

Jerry Portnoy is one of the great classic blues harmonica stylists. Jerry is best known for his work with both Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. In this artist study we'll dig into his slow blues "Blues for Big Nate" from the release Red Hot & Blues, The Legendary Blues Band.

This study is for intermediate skill level players (though the opening chorus is doable for the beginning player). You'll need an A Harmonica for this study.

Here's a Harp/Position Listing for the new History of the Blues Harmonica Concert CD (http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/)

Joe Filisko (Pre-war and Country Blues, 1920-1950)
- Train Imitation Medley [Key of F, Low-F Harp in 1st Po]
- 1st Position Medley [Key of G, G Harp in 1st Po]
- Lost John/Fox Chase Medley [Key of D, G Harp in 2nd Po]
- Sonny Terry Medley [Key of E, A Harp in 2nd Po]
- Mean Low Blues (Blues Birdhead) [Key of G, G Harp in 1st Po]
- Stove Pipe Blues (Daddy Stovepipe) [Key of C, C Harp in 1st Po/Key of F, C Harp in 12th Po] continue reading...

I have just finished a reference chart that shows the notes of all keys of diatonic harmonicas along with their bends and overbends. This will be handy for working on your half-step bends to know what pitches you're shooting for on various keys of harmonica. You can find this at the bottom of the support material list in any of the bending lesson studies.

There are two new harmonica amp lessons on the site...

Amps - What You Need to Know
In this video lesson you'll learn the important elements of choosing, setting up and using an amplifier. We'll cover: amp choice (small, medium & large); adding delay and/reverb; mic choice (which mic is appropriate for which amp); common tube subs; setting your amp up on the stage; and finaly how to dial in your volume settings.

Introduction
Choosing an amp size
Choosing the right mic
Basic tone settings
Tube substitutions
Setting up on the bandstand & studio
Setting your volume(s)
Review continue reading...