Tip of the Day

David Bromberg has some nice ideas in this NPR podcast on the use of space and "preachin'" in a solo.

The King Of The '60s Sidemen Returns, 'Only Slightly Mad'
http://www.npr.org/2013/10/18/231591537/the-king-of-the-sixties-sidemen-...

In the opening of this NPR podcast Wynton shares how the shuffle/swing rhythm is found historically in different styles of music.

Wynton Marsalis Goes Back To Church For 'Abyssinian Mass'
http://www.npr.org/2013/10/19/237141507/wynton-marsalis-goes-back-to-church

HOHNER Harmonica Tuner
http://www.dirksprojects.nl/index.php?Lan=english&Page=Tuner/harmonica_t...

A student has been using this and says he really likes it. Here's the text as it states on their website...

"The HOHNER Harmonica Tuner is developed by Dirk's Projects in collaboration with HOHNER Musikinstrumente. This tuner enables Harmonica owners to tune their own instrument.

The tuning process is easy to learn and is clearly explained in the tutorial video. continue reading...

An interesting notation program for mobile devices.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neuratron.notateme

3' (3 draw half step bend) is an important note for blues harmonica players, and can be difficult to control for new players to bending. The common error is in thinking that the 3 bend is a deep bend and requires more use of the back of the tongue, in the back of the mouth. This is accurate for the deeper 3 draw bends (3" and 3'''), but not for the 3'. continue reading...

3' (3 draw half step bend) is an important note for blues harmonica players, and can be difficult to control for new players to bending. The common error is in thinking that the 3 bend is a deep bend and requires more use of the back of the tongue, in the back of the mouth. This is accurate for the deeper 3 draw bends (3" and 3'''), but not for the 3'. continue reading...

From NHL's recent harmonica newsletter (harmonica.co.uk)

"Is Music the Key to Success?" in the New York Times this weekend
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/is-music-the-key-to-suc...

Every now and again a new student comes in for their lesson with their harps hermetically sealed in a zip-lock bag or water-tight case. Note that all harmonica cases from the factory are built with venting or contain a material that will absorb moisture. Get rid of the zip-lock bags and if you use a water-tight case, use the desiccant packets your normally discard from packaging of new items you purchase (changing them out as new packets come your way).

Bring the harmonica to you, not you to the harmonica.

Translation...

Players often bring the harmonica close to their lips and purse their lips to meet the harmonica. This pursing raises the jaw and makes the entire mouth cavity (your resonating chamber) small... this results in poor tone and tired facial muscles.

By opening your mouth and bringing the harmonica into your mouth, then all that's needed is a slight closure of the mouth to create the seal (like a soft gasket) needed to play the harmonica... this results in better tone and less fatigue.