Tip of the Day

Growth happens best when practice is consistent.

1) Learn each lick slowly—looping them with your learning software
2) Practice each chorus slowly
3) Entire song slow (~30%)
4) Entire song slow (~15%)
5) Entire song at full tempo
6) Entire song with jam track
7) Entire song with jam track and no sheet music

When using your metronome, choose the setting where you can have a different pitched click (and commonly different color if it has a display) for beat 1. This is essential for keeping track of beat 1 of each bar (otherwise it’s easy to add or drop beats and be unaware of it).

I have created flashcards to help you memorize key concepts taught in your lessons. Each level includes:

Memorization Deck
These cards help you to memorize essential music theory, your harmonica note layout, and elements relative to the blues form.

Action Deck continue reading...

1) Practice daily (habit)
2) Practice is focused on what you cannot do (challenge)
3) Practice large passages by breaking them down into their component licks (chunking)
4) Don’t fall into the trap of just playing the songs you’ve already learned—this is not practice, it’s repertoire retention
5) Pick one day a week to play the songs that you’ve learned

Some techniques (like bending) are best practiced in small chunks. Keep your harmonica in your pocket and take advantage of even the smallest amount of time to get reps.

The top of your tongue is wider. If you find yourself pushing your tongue on the face of the harmonica to cover enough holes for a tongue block technique, use more of the top of the tongue (placing the tip under the harmonica) and go back to using a light touch on the face of the harmonica.

Excessive saliva in the harmonica (causing reeds to stall) is a common problem. Play with your head up (like a trumpet player projecting over a crowd)—this prevents gravity from assisting saliva to flow downwards into your harmonica. When reading music, place the music higher, to again ensure that your head is level. Tap the harmonica hard on your leg once or twice every now and again to dislodge saliva from the reeds.

The middle and back of your tongue should be lowered during normal harmonica play. If the tongue is raised in that area, it can cause unwanted bending (flat notes), a stressed tone, stalling, or squealing. If you’re having any of these issues (which are more pronounced on 2 draw), use a slight yawn. A slight yawn lowers your jaw and tongue and opens your throat. If the problem persists, play your note and then take the harmonica out of your mouth to check your tongue position in a mirror. Most people think that their tongue is lowered in the back, but it’s not.

Every time you pick up your harmonica give it a little puff on the bottom (left side) of the harp. If it's low, you're good to go. If it's high, flip it over. Practice manipulating the fingers of your holding hand to flip the harmonica without help from your other hand.