harmonica

If the 3 draw B (or 3 draw quarter tone bend as discusses yesterday) is an emphasized note in your first lick of the 12 Bar Blues progression, and you wish to continue the chorus with that lick as a theme (think Chorus Forms as taught in the Improvising Studies), then when the lick is repeated over the IV7 Chord you should bend the 3 draw down to 3' Bb and 3" A over the V Chord.

Here's the basic theory...

I7 = G B D F (referencing C Harmonica in 2nd Position, Key of G) and 3 B is the 3rd of the chord. continue reading...

The 3 draw is commonly played at a quarter tone bend or dipped.

It's rare to hear an experienced blues harmonica player play the 3 draw without a slight bend. The bend is not as deep as a half step (3' Bb), it's between the 3 B and 3 Bb, and it's variable, so it's best not to say it's an exact degree in that range (the lighter the song, the less the bend... the darker the song, the deeper the bend).

If you're going for a lighter sound, then a dip is good. A dip is a slight bend (can go as deep as a half step, 3' Bb) that releases quickly to the natural 3 draw. continue reading...

The 4 draw is the most over-used note on the harmonica in 2nd Position soloing for good reason... it can be presented in many ways (single, double, shake, slap, flutter, octave, etc.) and is a great launching pad to move up or down the harmonica. Today's law is that it's rare to play the 4 draw by itself, it's commonly presented with a touch of 5 draw in it to thicken its texture (what Joe Filisko calls "Dirty Notes"). The challenge is just to add a touch... too much and it becomes overly dissonant.

Tomorrow starts a series I'll call Laws of Blues Harmonica. These laws cover common practices in regards to the approach of technique on the harmonica and blues music in general. Laws are of course meant to be broken, and should be if you have a musical reason for it (commonly phrasing), but you can generally count on what I'll share with you as being common practice among blues harmonica players of past and present. continue reading...

Time to help out our brother Adam https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/satan-and-adam-a-documentary#/story

Beginning Student Hob Bosold's latest lesson is now up (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/hob_bosold). In this lesson we review tongue switching, sliding on the face of the harmonica with one breath and solo harmonica study material. Hob learns how bending works, how to play two-note combinations, shakes, speed licks and how to approach playing with good tone on the high end.

Videos include:
Lesson 3 – Intro
Lesson 3 – Tongue Block Study 1: Walk With Me, Choruses 1-3 Review, Part 1
Lesson 3 – Tongue Block Study 1: Walk With Me, Choruses 1-3 Review, Part 2 continue reading...

Ross Garren's final part of his series on Introduction to Studio Harmonica Work http://tightcup.com/introduction-to-studio-harmonica-work-part-3/

This article is the second installment in a series Ross Garren has been working on for the Lone Wolf Blues Company's blog, Tightcup.com, on the ins and outs of studio harp playing http://www.sheriffsofschroedingham.com/ross/introduction-to-studio-harmo...

Interview with guitarist/vocalist Eric Noden (of Joe Filisko & Eric Noden) where he shares his insights on playing in a duo setting is now up at Accompaniment Study 9 lesson (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/accompaniment_study_9)

A BIG announcement has just been made... you can now return defective Hohner Harmonicas at the place of purchase. In the past you would have to take the time and expense of mailing a defective harmonica to Hohner directly for repair or replacement, now you can just return the harmonica with proof of at the store you purchased it from. I recommend you print out the portion of this new Hohner Easy Reeding magazine though, this non-return policy has been around so long that I guaranty you'll have to prove that this is the case. continue reading...