Tip of the Day

It’s important to understand that a custom harmonica will reward good technique and punish poor technique. continue reading...

While we're on a discography trip, here's a great one that Joe Filisko and friends put together for Big Walter Horton
http://www.filisko.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Walter-Horton-Discogra...

Not a complete discography, but interesting none the less. Thanks to Bruce for sharing.
http://www.discogs.com/artist/340688-Little-Walter?page=1

For the most complete listing get:

Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story
http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Feeling-Little-Walter-Story/dp/0415937116

Overbend instructor Ross Garren's interview with Tom Ball http://www.sheriffsofschroedingham.com/ross/archives/09-2015

Pretty cool Muddy Waters Discography compiled by Phil Wight and Fred Rothwell in PDF form (give it a second to load, you'll see a blank screen while it does). I used it last week to research Little Walter recording dates http://www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk/documents/200.pdf

The only way to tell the listener that something musical is worth remembering is by repeating it. If you don't use repetition, then you're telling the listener that what you're playing is not worth remembering. If it's not worth remembering, then it's forgettable. Who wants to play a solo or instrumentalist that's forgettable?

"One note played richly and beautifully is worth a thousand notes with no tone." To see Gary's full interview go here http://www.bluesharmonica.com/gary_primich

This quote comes from a panel discussion with Dennis Gruenling, Rod Piazza and Joe Filisko at a past Harmonica Masterclass Workshop. I asked the panel what they like to hear in other players when listening to them on the bandstand and Joe states, "I do think it's very important that you take chances on the bandstand and I think the audience really enjoys seeing you sweat a little bit and seeing you go into new territory. And if you fail... if it didn't work out... continue reading...

Let's continue with more memorable quotes from artists...

At my 1998 Harmonica Masterclass Workshop, Charlie Musselwhite was fielding questions from students and just answered a question about playing on the high end of the harmonica. The next student asked, "But what happens if you play a wrong note?" and Charlie said, "Well, I'm only one hole away from the right one." continue reading...

"If you think you got it, record yourself and listen back to see if you 'really' got it" said Rod Piazza in a conversation regarding preparation for the performance of a song.

It's difficult to listen to yourself closely enough while playing to make an accurate assessment of your performance. Make use of the easy tool of recording (most of us have phones or computers that have recording software and microphones built in) for self-assessment. continue reading...