Tip of the Day

“To be patient is to have the capacity of calm endurance. To give yourself time is to actively work toward a goal without setting a limit on how long you will work.” Master Bong Soo Han [Zen in the Martial Arts, by Joe Hyams, page 16]

To play the harmonica well is a life-long pleasure... don't be in a hurry... work hard and you will get there... you just don't knoe when...

The more harmonica you get in your mouth the bigger your tone. Tilting the face of the harmonica down helps as well... this allows your tongue to stay more to the floor of the mouth... a key element in achieving good tone (the tongue is the #1 culprit of poor, thin, whiny tone... down dog down!).

I'm off to camping with my family... back with more daily words of harmonica wisdom on Monday... have a great weekend everyone!

Mastering the three draw half step bend (3') and it's quartertone higher brother (same, but slightly less bent... between 3 and 3') in second position is imparetive to being a good blues harmonica player.

Most players will play bluesy notes (1', 2", 4', 5, etc.) and neglect to bend the 3 slightly, resulting in a very awkward sounding... a mismatch of intensions. This is one of the defining elements of a player's skill level. The ear to recognize that this doesn't sound good and the skill to change it. continue reading...

If you play at 40% of your capable volume as your "normal" volume, you have great dynamic range any time you want it. It worked for Little Walter.

It's essentail to use a light touch when tongue blocking. If you feel like you have to push your tongue on the face of the harmonica to block enough holes... use more of the top of the tongue (which is wider). It helps to tilt the face of the harmonica down and put more harmonica in your mouth (this will also give you a better tone... larger resonant chamber).

If you're improvising and find yourself having trouble staying in time, leave more space between your licks. You can also play more long-held notes. While in this space or holding a long note you can focus on hearing where you are within the form.

If you know a song well, but find yourself getting lost when playing with the band (live or jam track), it's because you stopped listeng. You know the song well... stop focusing on what YOU'RE doing... play music... hear the whole soundscape... how you AND the band are making music together.