Tip of the Day

The next phase of Junior's recording career... before the 1965 Hoodoo Man Blues release. Check out "Cha Cha Cha In Blues," soooo cool.

Junior Wells, 1957-1963 Messin With the Kid
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/junior-wells-1957-1963/id208120220

"Blues Hit Big Town" represents Junior's earliest works... prior to his more funky-sounding blues material that he's so well known for in the 1960's. Here's what Cub Koda says about this album, "Blues Hit Big Town album by Junior Wells was released Jun 16, 1998 on the Delmark label. This 1998 CD reissue of Wells' debut recordings for the States label adds four previously unheard tracks along with the original 13-track vinyl lineup. continue reading...

We don't have many tactile references on the harmonica. One is while playing hole 4. Notice in the picture (http://www.facebook.com/bluesharmonica) how the left edge of the harmonica's comb is aligned with the left edge of my mouth. If you keep this in mind you should reduce misses on the 4th hole.

Many players think of the 3 draw bend as a deep bend... and it is if you're going for the bottom... but we're not commonly going for the bottom. 3''' is actually extremely rare in 2nd Position playing (its main use is in 3rd Position). 3" and 3' are used all of the time. continue reading...

"Asking dumb questions is easier than correcting dumb mistakes." quotes a plaque in my favorite local BBQ restaurant. No doubt good advice.

Little Walter set the standard for how to accompany guitar and vocals. His best work was with Muddy Waters.

Waters Muddy (3xCDs) The CHESS Box
http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=4439

Both Little Walter and Big Walter Horton were prolific in regards to how many players they backed on recording. On the Jimmy Rogers two-CD set, "Complete Chess Recordings" you'll find "If It Ain't Me (Who Are You Thinking Of)" and "Walking by Myself" with Big Walter... two of the most celebrated tracks in the blues harmonica world. "Chicago Bound" with Little Walter is also on that recording and is one of my personal favorites. The backing hook he played on this is also the hook I use for my instrumental "Matchstick" on the History of the Blues Harmonica Concert two-CD set. continue reading...

The songs of the artists that we study tend to be from THEIR albums. In other words, albums that focus on their vocal tunes (where they play fills and solos) and instrumentals. This means that we're only studying how to solo and most players (I sure was this way) don't really know how to play accompaniment (playing at the same time, in a supportive roll, under the vocalist or soloist) due to the fact that they've never copied someone doing it. continue reading...

It's hard to say "essential" when it comes to Little Walter... all of his material is essential for the studying blues harmonica player. If you weren't lucky enough to pick up the box set when it released a number of years back, you're relegated to picking up collections where you'll have duplicates of tracks. If you're new to the harmonica, "Rock Bottom" is a great deal at $12 for the two-CD set

Little Walter - Rock Bottom
http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=19476

CD1
1. My Babe
2. Juke
3. Teenage Beat
4. You’re So Fine
5. Tell Me Mama
6. Too Late continue reading...

"The Little Book of Talent: 52 Tips for Improving Your Skills" has just been released by Daniel Coyle and is a fine little reference book... packed full of to-the-point helpful advice for the studying musician. It's available in hardcover, for the Kindle and as an audio book. If you've already read his popular book "The Talent Code," then you don't need this one... it's essentially the same material condensed into quick tips.