Tip of the Day

Yesterday was a nice day doing the tourist thing in London. Thanks to Lee Sankey and Janis for their kind hospitality. I’m off to the home of the harmonica today, Trossingen, Germany.

Your tip of the day...

At your show if another pro harp player comes in to see your gig it's common professional courtesy to have them come up and play a couple songs with your band. Not only do you make them feel important, it's a treat for the audience. It comes back to you when you see their show... it makes for a nice community of players.

Day 3 at the NHL event in Bristol was a mellow one... most slept in after the Saturday evening (and morning) festivities. There were some more workshops and meet-the-artist sessions at the Folk House as well as a chance to say goodbye to everyone. Thanks to Roger Trobridge and all of the other volunteers of the event for the invite, a very warm welcome and a very well run event. continue reading...

Yesterday NHL presented many short workshops on various subjects. I had the opportunity to listen to Ricky Cool and Mick Kinsella and they both delivered very informative workshops. Thanks to all that attended my question and answer workshop and apologizes to those that couldn't get in. The concert was a lot of fun. Thanks to Alan Glen and the Barcodes for backing me and Rachelle Plas for hosting the final blowout. Other performers of the night were Brendan Power, Mick Kinsella, Jon Vaughan, Oliviar Ker Ourio and Frank Semus. I'm on the road for a bit and will check in when I can... continue reading...

I arrived in England yesterday and met up with Brendan Power at the train station. Brendan was a pleasure to hang with, as usual, and was kind enough to show me the lay of the land. We arrived in Bristol at the Folk House where the NHL (National Harmonica League) is being held. I've already met some players from BluesHarmonica.com, like Dave who's working on tongue blocking for the first time and practices on the job in his cherry picker! I spent some quality time with Mick Kinsella, Lee Sankey and Ben Hewlitt... as well as many other impressive players. continue reading...

I'm off to England (National Harmonica League http://harmonica.co.uk/) and Germany (Harmonica Masters Workshop http://www.stevebaker.de/index.php/news?language=en&page=shownews&id=57). I look forward to meeting some of you there. Tip of the Week will be back when I return.

Today's tip... if you're in Europe... whatcha waiting for... come join me! ;-)

This version of the blues scale I've created helps to bridge the non-bluesy (holes 6-7) range of the harmonica. Try playing this scale to a jam track... first holding two beats per note (half notes), then one beat (quarters), then two notes per beat (eighths) and finally three notes per beat (triplets).

High: 6+ 6' 6 7+ 8 9 9+

Note the missing notes on the high end of the Blues Scale. The blues scale contains: Root, flat-3rd, 4th, flat-5th, 5th, flat-7th, Octave (Root). The low end is complete. The high end is missing the flat-3rd and flat-5th.

Low: 3+ 3' 4+ 4' 4 5 6+

High: 6+ 7+ 8 9 9+

Now try this version of the blues scale...

High: 6+ 6' 6 7+ 8 9 9+

Experiment with this.

Let's now look at the Blues Scale.

Low: 3+ 3' 4+ 4' 4 5 6+

High: 6+ 7+ 8 9 9+

Note the missing notes on the high end...

Let's now look at the Major Pentatonic Scale. This is great for playing on the high-end.

Low: 3+ 3" 3 4 5+ 6+

High: 6+ 6 7 8 8+ 9+

Again, move some licks from low to high...

Let's work the G Mixolydian Scale now, which is the scale naturally available to us in 2nd Position (this is the same as he Major Scale with a lowered 7th, F).

Low: 3+ 3" 3 4+ 4 5+ 5 6+

High: 6+ 6 7 7+ 8 8+ 9 9+

Try this lick... any rhythm...

3+ 3" 3 4 5+ 6+ = 6+ 6 7 8 8+ 9+

Notice how the 3" is replaced with the 6 draw. The six draw is a great replacement for where you would normally play a dip as well....

2 3-dip 4 = 6+ 6 7 8 (play the 6 quickly as you slide to the 7 draw)