harmonica

You can also move licks down one octave to better understand their movement and note selections. Here's a Lee Oskar lick in its original form on the high end and then down one octave...

9+ 9 8, 8+ 8 7, 7+ 7 7 6 6+ (played in a triplet rhythm)

6+ 5 4, 5+ 4 3, 4+ 3 3" 3+

Note that the 6 turns into 3". If you have a lick that relies on the 3" in the lower octave, it may be a smart choice to play that lick one octave higher so its easy availability as a 6. In this case, the high end version of the lick is much more fluid, requiring less movement. continue reading...

More examples are up for Joe Filisko's series on the Fox Chase/Lost John http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/fox_chase_study_1_technique_approach

Let's now take some familiar licks and move them up an octave. This is by far the easiest, and most enjoyable, way of getting to know the high end of the harmonica.

First lick of "Juke" by Little Walter (minus pulls and such, just the basic pitches)
3+ 3 4 5+ 6+ 6+ = 6+ 7 8 8+ 9+ 9+

First chorus of "Easy" Big Walter Horton
3 4+ 4, 4 5+ 4 4+ 3
5+ 5 6+, 6+ 6+ 5 5+ 4
4 5+ 4 5 5+ 4 4+, 6+ 5 5+ 4 3' 3" 2 2, 3 4 5+ 6+ slide-to-2 2 1 1

=

7 7+ 8, 8 8+ 8 7+ 7
8+ 9 9+, 9+ 9+ 9 8+ 8 continue reading...

http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/issue-9-41-October-8-2015/

As blues harmonica players we prefer the tone of the lower keyed harmonicas and the lower six holes of the harmonica. When venturing above hole 6, the tone thins and we start to move off access of our cupped hands and away from our mic.

Players commonly use slaps as their default way to present the high notes for a more powerful sound. Using octaves (4 hole for blow and 5 hole for draw) is also a great approach for a bigger sound. continue reading...

In the BB's radio show The Science Hour on 10/2 (the episode tilted "Flowing Water on Mars") they spoke of timbre, the overtone series, temperament (our harmonica models come in different temperaments https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_temperament) and how active the mind is in the production of music. The explanations are bit shallow, but still a fun listen. Go here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p033n9rm and start it at 23:46.

The most apparent change on the high end for someone studying the note layout of the harmonica or playing scales is that at hole 7 the blow notes are higher than the draw notes. This is easily seen in the C Major Scale below. Note the change in breathing between holes 6 and 7.

4+ 4 5+ 5 6+ 6 7 7+

If you play two octaves of scale you get...

4+ 4 5+ 5 6+ 6 7 7+ 8 8+ 9 9+ 10 10+ (10'+ B is also available if you want to throw it in there, but it's rarely used)

Now the entire range...

1+ 1 2+ 2" 2 3" 3 4+ 4 5+ 5 6+ 6 7 7+ 8 8+ 9 9+ 10 10+ continue reading...

Beginning student Hob Bosold's latest lesson is now up. In this lesson we cover: Tongue Block Study 1: Walk With Me, Page 1 Review; Page 2 Review; Solo Harmonica Study 1: Examples 1.2 to 1.7 Review; Major Scale and Finding where you are on the Harmonica; Solo Harmonica Study 2: Example 1.6 and Music Theory Study 1: Section 2 Review (Bending Focus)

Jot down some notes this weekend on what you think are the challenges of learning to play above hole 6 in 2nd Position and why you may think it's not used as much as it could be. I'll share my observations starting Monday. Have a great weekend everyone!

Cool story from Paul's quest for unique tone
https://www.facebook.com/PaulOscherMusic/posts/1710559882505468:0