harmonica

After a lesson take your recorded files and import them into your computer. Label the files with the lesson date and number them. Listen back to your lesson (I do this the same day) and don't pick up your instrument, but make notes of important topics with their corresponding track numbers and time codes (a time code is simply what time it happens in that track). With this preparation you're ready to get to work on what's important the next time you sit down to practice.

The fact that you're taking lessons from an instructor and not studying their primary instrument helps to set the tone that these lessons are to be very specific in focus. continue reading...

Pretty cool to see this new CD on the market. There's some excellent playing and very mediocre playing... like most collections of modern players out... but it's great to see our ladies of blues harmonica getting their due.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/naughty-girl/id1046124506?i=1046125541...)

Ruf Records: http://rufrecords.de (direct link: http://rufrecords-shop.de/epages/c5a81d4f-421f-4fa8-b932-09d5c11af2e2.sf...)

These are the things to have with you for your first lesson...

1) Printouts of the current songs you're working on (as well as maybe one you can already play well, so you can give them a taste of what you can do).

2) Download the MP3s (original and jam tracks) to your smartphone or burn a CD if that's more convenient (I have students bring their songs on a thumb drive, it makes it very easy for me to load onto my computer and use with my preferred programs). continue reading...

In yesterday's tip you left a message for two instructors. When there are multiple instructors to choose from it's to your advantage to meet them to find which one is the best fit for your personality, learning style and goals. Most likely you'll speak with them on the phone first, so here's how your conversation might go before the first lesson... continue reading...

Ring ring... ring ring...

"Hello, school of generic music in generic town."

Hi, this is David Barrett. I'm interested in speaking to one of your jazz guitar or piano instructors about private lessons. I play harmonica, but am interested in working with an instructor that can help me with my musicality. I prefer someone who has formal music training so they can help me with some basic music reading for rhythm training and music theory when it's needed. Any experience in blues is a plus. continue reading...

Michael Rubin is a respected member of the harmonica education community and often brings unique insights to the approach of playing the instrument. Michael plays many styles of music and models of harmonica, so if your taste in music is varied, you'll really enjoy this interview http://www.bluesharmonica.com/michael_rubin

Subjects Include:
Michael’s Early Years
Transcribing and Playing in All 12 Positions
Accompaniment Playing
Improvising
Value of Music Theory
Minor Playing
3rd Position on both Diatonic and Chromatic
1st Position
4th and 5th Position continue reading...

In part two of this series John compares microphone placements on an amp, then combines them in various ways. He also covers: stereo treatments, direct injects and line outs, virtual amps (through pedals and rack processors, computer software… even smart phone apps) as well as the influence of phase and polarity between signals. http://www.bluesharmonica.com/harmonica_recording_techniques

In this study we dig into expressive techniques to use with your overblows, specifically dips, quarter tone bends and “false fingering.” You’ll need a Bb Harmonica for this study.

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