Tip of the Day

If you own a microphone, but not a digital audio interface (a mixer that converts analog to digital for you to record using computer software), then this product from Senal could be the way to go to keep costs down.

Senal XU-1648 XLR-to-USB Adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/948650-REG/senal_xu_1648_xlr_usb_s...

To focus on everything is to focus on nothing.

You've now completed the steps needed to play your first gig...

1) Charting - This defined the form of each song and the elements (head, hooks, breaks, etc.) that you needed to learn.

2) Listing - This gave you a quick reference of all of the songs and their key elements (key, groove, start, end, hook, head, etc.) continue reading...

Now that you have the heads and hooks dialed in, and have chosen what theme you'll use for each song if one doesn't exist, the next step is to adress the solos.

The best approach is to not work out the solos. The head and hook are essential to work out ahead of time, but the solos are best left to the inspiration of the moment.

  continue reading...

The Hook is like the Head in respect to it being the main theme of a song, but as you found out yesterday, the head is an entire chorus in length and is played in the opening and closing of a song. Inversely, the Hook is a short lick, commonly one to two bars in length, that permeates the entire song. The head is played by the lead instruments and the rhythm section commonly plays a standard groove (shuffle, swing, etc.). continue reading...

Let's dig deeper into those essential song elements I spoke of yesterday. The HEAD is the main theme of a song. It's commonly a chorus in length (one time through the form... 12 Bars for the 12 Bar Blues and 8 Bars for 8 Bar Blues) and played in the opening chorus (sometimes twice) and at the end (though not always at the end, it has become commonplace to do so).

I used Jimmy Smith's "Chicken Shack" as an example yesterday. Here's the link to my transcription of the head for the harmonica: http://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/chicken_sha... continue reading...

Now that you have your quick list that details the essentials for each song (key, groove, start, end, etc.), the main focus is to learn to play... and memorize... the signature elements in each song. If a hook exists in a song, learn it ("I'm Ready" for example) If there's a head, learn that too ("Chicken Shack" for example) If there are breaks ("Next Time You See Me" for example), be ready to play the lick associated with it (if there is one), and memorize the lyrics that immediately precede it, to signal that it's coming. continue reading...

I didn't know that Les Paul invented the harmonica rack...

Science Friday Audio Podcast
"Les Paul: Inventor and Innovator"
http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/09/27/2013/les-paul-inventor-and-in...

A student on the forum asked for my list of Essential Blues Harmonica Instrumentals. Here they are:
http://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/essential_p...

I stated previously...

"'What makes this song special' or 'How can I make this song sound unique and exciting from the other songs in my set.' This is an important question." continue reading...