harmonica

Go to a favorite YouTube performance you've been interested in learning and click on Settings (gear icon at bottom right-hand side of screen), click on Speed and then select .5 (half speed) or .25 (one quarter the original speed). Pitch will remain the same when slowed down. This is a great tool to study songs from YouTube.

The Ultimate Jam Track series is another great collection of killer blues backing tracks. Like Jimi Lee's jam tracks, the musicians are steeped in the tradition of the blues and are inspiring to play with. There are three CDs available and they're all great http://www.ultijamtracks.com/blues.html

One of my favorite jam tracks with common blues grooves (designed to be generic so that they can be used with a wide range of songs) is Jimi Lee's "Every Groove a Bluesman Needs To Know." 31 tracks are included with PDF description of each groove. Download or physical CDs can be ordered here http://www.jimileeband.com/jam_tracks/

I often get asked by harmonica students if a jam track exists for a given song. Jam tracks, by design, are specific to common grooves, but intentionally vague so that they can work for many different types of songs. Some songs are famous due to their uniqueness... "Baby Scratch My Back" for example by Slim Harpo. For songs like these, specific jam tracks are needed. For these songs BluesHarpTracks.com is the place to go. If they don't have the song you're looking for, email Shoji, you may be able to pay him to make one for you.

And now for the fourth point of the 4-Point hold...

The webbing of skin between your thumb and forefinger creates a nice backstop for the left side of the harmonica. The location of where you place the corner of the harmonica depends on the size and shape of your left hand, but the general ideas is simple... allow a little bit of the rear, left-hand corner of the harmonica settle into that area at some point so that it prevents the harmonica from sliding away from your mouth as you play. continue reading...

The basic 2-Point Hold has the position of the forefinger (A) on the top and thumb (B) on the bottom, but there's nothing stopping the harmonica from pushing away from your mouth as you play. In today's picture note that the middle finger (C) is behind the harmonica, between the comb and upper cover plate. This gives you a 3-Point Hold, making for a more secure harmonica and relaxed holding hand. continue reading...

Yes, you can just pick up the harp and play, but since we're studying how to play well, why not use a hold that's more stable and minimizes fatigue? Let's start today by looking at the basic 2-Point Hold (Pic 1 - 2 Points Contact.jpg). Note the position of the forefinger (A) on the top and thumb (B) on the bottom. Look at this, and then look at your hold and study how other parts of your hand (we're only talking about your left hand right now) may assist you in this hold. continue reading...

I'll be happy to work with students at Joe Filisko's Teach-In each afternoon starting Thursday 8/13. I'll also be performing with a list of great harmonica players at the Wednesday Night Variety Show (PT Gazell, Jerry Devillier, Buzz Krantz, Brandon O. Bailey, Johnny Bishop, Will Scarlett, Dale Spalding and James Gordon) as well as the Saturday Morning Gospel & Country Seminar (Eric Noden, Phil Duncan, Mo Vint, Jimi Lee, TJ Klay and Todd Parrot).

If you would like to register, visit http://spah.org

See you all soon!

In this study we’ll define what an overbend is, what notes are available on your harmonica with overbends, how to perform an overblow and provide you with exercises for you to practice overblows on holes 4, 5 and 6. continue reading...

Use a lighter touch. The gasket seal of your lips and tongue on the face of the harmonica work best when they're soft and supple. This is especially important when you perform tongue block techniques like the pull... with the slightest amount of pressure you should be able to close all of the holes in your embouchure for the start of the pull. This also helps when sliding on the harmonica... you're quicker and will have less abrasion due to the tongue and lips gliding across the face of the harmonica, not getting stuck in the holes as you move.