Tip of the Day

http://lifehacker.com/5939374/a-better-way-to-practice

A nice article shared to me by Jon Harl (thanks Jon) on how to improve the quality of your practice time. Under “How to Accelerate Skill Development” item 2, labeled “Timing is everything, too” I recommend you base what you’re practicing on your daily energy curve. continue reading...

For those not aware of Howard Goodall's "How Music Works" series, it's well worth checking out https://youtu.be/U-P55m37hWk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b074x4tc

Grammy Award-Winning songwriter Amy Wadge fell in love with the harmonica after winning one in a fancy dress competition (she was dressed in a bin liner!). Now she investigates the history and potential of the diatonic instrument, a European the toy which in the hands of expert players became the the iconic sound of the Mississippi Delta and the Chicago Blues. Not bad for what was originally a child's toy produced then, as now, in Germany! continue reading...

There's a tendency for new benders to push their tongue hard on the face of the harmonica, using it as a type of anchor for the humping of their tongue. Tension in the front of the tongue, or the pushing of the tongue forwards onto the face of the harmonica, commonly causes thin and airy tone while bending. continue reading...

Alfred Förtsch just contacted me in regards to his new website dedicated to the physics of how the harmonica works, specifically bending. His website is http://www.bluesharpscience.de and if you haven't already done so, take a look at my paper on the subject https://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/mri_bendin... and the paper with Stanford University http://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/poma/19/1/10.1121/1.4799443 Best wishes on your new site Alfred.

Let's use an example of a common error when performing a memorized piece of music to a backing track or live band. Let's say that you accidentally rest for 5 beats after a phrase instead of the required 6. You've worked on your song so much to memorize it that you have the spacing worked out between each lick so well that if you're not saving some of your mental power for listening to the band as you play to make sure that you are where you're supposed to be in the form, then you'll most likely stay out of time for a loooong time.

Here's a tool you can use... continue reading...

It’s challenging to perform a piece of music. There are techniques (precise bending, tongue blocking, articulation, etc.), movement (conjunct and disjunct), dynamics (volume and tonal), rhythm (individual licks and their chaining together into phrases) and everything else involved in playing a particular piece of music well. continue reading...

Here are some tips to help you relax when playing the harmonica. Attention to these elements will improve your tone (tense muscles create a restricted airways = poor tone) and speed (tense muscles are slower, especially in regards to drag when pressing your hands, mouth or tongue onto the harmonica).

1 - Take a couple deep breaths. This relaxes your entire body, importantly your neck and shoulder muscles, which tend to hurt after extended play. continue reading...

Cool video of a very good harmonica not often spoken about.

Mattie & Salty Holmes - The Harmonica Boogie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=224UBcuWZv8

P.S., starting next week Tip of the Day will move to once a week (I'll shoot for Wednesdays). I've enjoyed writing for you every weekday morning for the past 3+ years, but student submissions at BluesHarmonica.com have been increasing steadily and now my time needs to be focused on them.

An interview with Billy Branch released today on Blues Blast Magazine
http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/issue-10-8-February-25-2016/