harmonica

In Hob's first lesson we cover holding the harmonica; cupping a bullet mic; throat tremolo; importance of playing softly; playing with a relaxed embouchure; closing the nose for breath control; Solo Harmonica Study 1, examples 1.2 and 1.4; Tongue Block Study 1, example 1.2 and Walk With Me Study song, Chorus 1; Music Theory Study 1, Section 1; and bonus footage on the definition of tone in music, and how to create big tone on the harmonica. http://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/hob_bosold

Stuff You Should Know releases on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to. On Tuesday the subject was "Bridges: Nature Abhors Them" and at 48:21 they speak of mechanical resonance in regards to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster. Believe it or not, the understanding of this will help you to become a better harmonica player. continue reading...

Today's tip is something you may have already experienced... playing your harp in a stairwell or bathroom (or any room with primarily hard, reflective surfaces) is inspiring. I recorded quite a few tracks for It Takes Three with my speaker cabinet (and the microphones to capture the sound) in the bathroom.

In this video you hear Gary Smith rehearse the band and record his slow blues vocal tune "Up All Night With The Blues."

Today's exercise is fairly simple, but is exactly the way you'll use your new-found power of nasal cavity control. Play the following bass line, one note per beat...

2 3 4 5+

Follow these steps:

1) Exhale before starting

2) Make sure your nose is closed

3) Play the 2, 3 and 4 draws being conscious that your nose remains closed

4) Open your nose for the 5+ (bring your bellybutton to your spine to help get rid of your air quickly)

5) Close your nose when the 2 draw comes back to repeat the lick

BluesHarmonica.com overbend instructor Ross Garren interviews jazz chromatic player Mike Turk. There's a bonus video where they jam together as well. http://www.sheriffsofschroedingham.com/ross

If you've read it once, read it again... this paper is as important to advanced players as it is beginning. The more we can understand how the harmonica and mouth works in the bending process the better. In Ross' Overbending Study 1 he'll be referencing the concepts from this paper, so you'll want to review it to fully understand how the reeds work in the overbending process. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/mri_bendin...

Study along with beginning student Hob Bosold as he takes private lessons with head instructor David Barrett following the Levels of Achievement Program at BluesHarmonica.com. Each lesson is video recorded in its entirety, giving you valuable insight into the same material you're studying on the site.

Joe Tartaglia was the featured beginning student on the website since its release in 2009. Hob's lessons are more up to date with the material on the site (especially in regards to the Levels of Achievement Program) and will therefore replace Joe's lessons in time.

Enjoy!

Now your goal is to open and close your nose in middle of your breath stream.

Again, start with a deep breath and play a single blow note on the harmonica with your nose closed. After two seconds open it (thinking as if you're blowing your nose) while the note continues to sustain and feeling your bellybutton go to your spine to use your diaphragm to help get rid of air. Close your nose after two seconds, stopping the air from leaking through your nose so that air is only traveling through your harmonica. continue reading...

Hopefully you had some success learning how to close your nose from last week's tips. Let's now exercise that skill. continue reading...