Tip of the Day

When first starting on the harmonica most players find the 1 and 2 draws hard to play. Our bodies are wonderful at working out solutions to problems like this... even if we're not aware of what it decides to do! For most players their body learns that if it opens the nose it will relieve the pressure (and changes the tuning) within the mouth, which makes the 1 and 2 draws playable. This solution tends to stay with us much longer than it's needed (we eventually learn that it was the tongue location that was causing this problem) and can cause problems down the road... continue reading...

If you did not find that your nose was open, try now playing the 1 draw (especially on a low harp, like a G). Is your nose open?... for most people it is.

Do you run out of air very quickly... especially on draw notes? Maybe your nose is open? Exhale all of your air and then play a 4 draw softly for as long as you can. How log can you hold that note? If you can hold it at least 20 seconds then you're okay... anything less then your nose is most likely open. Try it again and pinch your nose with your hand to see if there's a difference. Give this a try and we'll explore this more tomorrow.

a place to meet other musicians interested in the same thing... playing music with other people.

an opportunity to work with awkward keys and the positions they may call for (Key of B for example... and you don't have an E Harmonica to play in 2nd Position... so you choose your A Harmonica to play in 3rd Position).

a place to refine how you describe, or listen to someone describe, the opening of a song (to get the band started) and how you give, or see signals given (passing solos, calling breaks and ending the song). This is key to a successful jam.

Related lessons on the site:

Performance Training Study 1 - Beginnings, Breaks & Endings
http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/performance_training_beginnings_br...

Performance Training Study 2 - Groove
http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/performance_training_groove

a place where it's okay to make mistakes (this is not a performance... it's a jam session).

a chance to experience playing music outside your comfort zone.

an opportunity to try new material.

If you're having trouble controlling the 3 draw bend we spoke of yesterday, it can also be helpful to work on the 4 draw bend of a harmonica lower than that of the key you're working on. For example, if you're trying the 3' on the C Harmonica (Bb) and you're having trouble controlling it, try the 4 draw bend on the A Harmonica (Bb). The pitch you're going for is the same (Bb), but the distance between the draw and blow reed on each harmonica is slightly different... the 4 draw on the A Harmonica being a little bit easier to achieve. continue reading...