Tip of the Day

If you don't have a piano/keyboard around (the most common reference instrument), a music notation program can work just as well... if not better. When working passages that include bending... such as the simple C Major Scale on the C Major Harmonica, where the F and A are whole step bends... notate that scale in the program and use the playback controls to set the speed and play along.

I use the full version of Finale, though makemusic.com has many version of the software... one being free. continue reading...

Time you spend thinking about, researching, buying and customizing gear is time you're stealing away from becoming a better player.

Just a little bit ago I spoke of cross training on another instrument to help you with your musicianship... only if you have "extra" practice time, remember?

Positions can be thought of in the same way. I generally like to spend the first three years with a student in 2nd Position. This gives them a "first language" from which to improvise and can be expanded upon and used to help understand how other positions work down the road. continue reading...

Many of our licks on the lower thee holes of the harmonica contain articulate bending, requiring attention to our intonation (how well we play in tune). We often use another instrument (most commonly the piano) or tuner to reference our pitch. A common way harmonica players do this referencing without the aid of another instrument is to play the passage in another octave. For example, the challenging lick 1 2" 3" 2" 1 can be played one octave higher as 4 5 6 5 4. So, play 4 5 6 5 4 as your reference (no bends) and then play 1 2" 3" 2" 1 right afterwards and try to match the same pitches. continue reading...

Since I'm on a roll of promoting my recorded work!... the other two albums I produced were "We Are the Blues" and "History of the Blues Harmonica Concert," both available from cdbaby again.

We Are the Blues: School of the Blues All-Star Band Live in the Studio!
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sotbab

History of the Blues Harmonica Concert (w/Joe Filisko, Dennis Gruenling and Kinya Pollard)
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/filiskobarrettgruenling

My first CD release with John Garcia from 2003 titled "Serious Fun" is out of print, but is now available at cdbaby for MP3 download for only $6.95 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dbjg. The example I used with Ryan in regards to breaks was the shuffle "Lick Train." My other original instrumentals featured on the CD are the title track "Serious Fun," the uptempo swing in 3rd Position "Don't Fight It," the solo piece "Quiet World" and guitar and harmonica slow blues "Feelin' Good."

This release has the killer recordings "Off The Wall," "Blues in My Sleep," "Soul Survivor" and "Creeper." Though not in print anymore, it's a must-have and used can be found for only $15.

James Cotton, Best of the Verve Years
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Verve-Years-James-Cotton/dp/B0000046YZ

Let's start with James' accompaniment work. The Blues Never Die! is one of my favorite recordings to showcase how to approach accompaniment playing. This is a MUST HAVE recording in your collection as a studying harmonica player.

The Blues Never Die! (Otis Spann)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blues-never-die!-remastered/id210149676

In Aki's latest submission he talks about an Arhur Williams song that influenced his instrumental composition. To read more about this player visit "A Conversation with Arhur Williams" at http://www.bluesworld.com/Arthur.html

Adam Gussow's "Blues Talk"
http://e2.ma/message/lt96d/54b8n