harmonica

Join Mark Overman and myself as we present a series covering the usage of vintage P.A. heads for amplified blues harmonica playing. Our series starts with a visit to the innovator of P.A. head customization, Skip Simmons. In this installment Mark and Skip take us on a tour of Skip's vast warehouse of vintage gear. Our next installment will include an interview with Skip.

Join me for Intermediate Student Ryan Walker's latest lesson where we cover Accompaniment Playing Study 5 (bluesy 7th Chords), Improvising Study 4 (V-IV-I Transition Licks), Solo Harmonica Study 3 (Bass Lines with Pulls) and Music Theory Study 3 (Playing in Minor).

Work on a passage until you feel like you have it. Record yourself playing that passage. Listen to the original recording with sheet music in hand (if available) so you have a clear reference of what the passage should sound like. Listen back to the recording of your performance and with a pencil circle any areas on the transcription that you feel don't quite sound right. Listen back numerous times, to both the original and your recording, to pinpoint exactly what needs work.

Another great value of having a recorder handy is to document your progress when songwriting. After a session of working out ideas for a new instrumental I'll grab my iPhone and use the memo app to do a quick recording of my performance (solo or with a jam track). It's common for many days to go by between writing sessions and it's very easy to forget prior progress. I start a new session listening to my past recording, sometimes even playing along to it. I stop the playback and then get to work. continue reading...

Tom Zoe in Austin doing some great work for seniors: http://www.nextavenue.org/blog/when-music-becomes-your-medicine?utm_sour...