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David's Tip of the Day: Root Note Overuse

Posted Wed, 07/25/2012 - 07:58 by David Barrett Admin
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Listening to all of the Rhumba King entries today... fantastic work here!... one of the two most common errors (more on the second one tomorrow) in the top placing entries on my list is the overuse of the root note. This would be G for 2nd Position (2, 6+), D for 3rd Position (1, 4, 8) and C for 1st Position (1+, 4+, 7+. 10+) relative to the C Harmonica.

David's Tip of the Day: More motion than emotion

Posted Tue, 07/24/2012 - 06:31 by David Barrett Admin
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In Leonard Bernstein's Omnibus series (1950's lectures) he covers the work of Bach in one show. He stated that early on in his studies that he found it difficult to enjoy Bach's work, stating it “seemed to me more like motion than emotion.” This is a good statement for all of us improvisors to keep in mind.

David's Tip of the Day: Ultimate Blues Jam Tracks

Posted Mon, 07/23/2012 - 06:36 by David Barrett Admin
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The Ultimate Blues Jam Tracks series are one of the best sets of jam tracks in the market. In fact, your study songs on BluesHarmonica.com use these tracks. If you would like more, visit: http://www.ultijamtracks.com/blues.html

David's Tip of the Day: Flutter Tongue = Turn off Tremolo

Posted Fri, 07/20/2012 - 07:22 by David Barrett Admin
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A common problem for those learning the flutter tongue and side-flutter tongue is to forget to turn their tremolo off. If you're new to this technique, this part of the tip is for you. If you already know the flutter or side-flutter tongue, try to reintroduce the tremolo for an interesting effect. Listen to the opening of Walter Horton's "Walter's Boogie" from the "Can't Keep Lovin' You" album. If you would like to learn more about the flutter tongue, visit Tongue Blocking Study 3 (Gary's Blues).

David's Tip of the Day: Fruit as Reference - Volume of the Mouth

Posted Thu, 07/19/2012 - 06:55 by David Barrett Admin
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It is the size (volume) of the tonal chamber in your mouth that creates the pitch that the reed responds to for a bend. Reminder... the higher the bend (e.g., 6 draw bend) the further forward your bend is controlled in the mouth, using more of the front of the tongue... the lower the bend (e.g., 2 draw bend) the further back your bend is controlled in the mouth, using more of the back of the tongue. continue reading...

Teeth as Reference - Part 3: Tongue Location in Mouth

Posted Wed, 07/18/2012 - 09:15 by David Barrett Admin
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Visit http://www.facebook.com/bluesharmonica for an illustration I've made for you on general tongue positions for bending.

David's Tip of the Day: Speakers for your Practice Room

Posted Tue, 07/17/2012 - 08:21 by David Barrett Admin
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If your practice space is away from your computer, but you do have your portable music device handy (iPhone, iPod, Droid, etc.), a cheap way to amplify your music (when you don't want to use headphones) is to use computer speakers. Most people (I sure do) have old sets of self-powered computer speakers (they have a power supply to plug into the wall) not being used. These speakers commonly use an 1/8" stereo plug, which is the same as what your mobile device uses. So... computer speakers + mobile device = stereo system for your practice room!

David's Tip of the Day: Learning Fast?

Posted Mon, 07/16/2012 - 07:17 by David Barrett Admin
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A student recently posted a question of what they can do to learn songs faster. I thought this response was appropriate for everyone... I know it helps me to work hard, but enjoy the journey... knowing it is a process over time. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Music Theory Study 4 - Melodic Development, Part 1

Posted Sun, 07/15/2012 - 19:19 by David Barrett Admin
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Join me for our fourth lesson on Music Theory for the Blues Harmonica Player, where we explore melodic development… how chords and scales work together to create great solos. In this lesson you’ll learn about chord tones, scale tones, outside tones, active tones, non-active tones, passing tones, upper and lower neighbor tones, appoggiatura, the hierarchy of note selection, chord scales, sequences and chord-tone soloing. This lesson is for intermediate skill level players. You'll need a C Harmonica for this study. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: http://www.bluesharmonica.com/teeth_reference_part_2_tongue_location_relative_your_upper_set_teeth

Posted Fri, 07/13/2012 - 06:20 by David Barrett Admin
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Now use your teeth as reference for all of your bends. For example, when I perform the 3" on my A Harmonica, if I raise my tongue slightly to see where it is relative to my teeth, I find that the back wings of my tongue will touch my third molar on each side of my upper set of teeth. Take a moment and experiment with finding your tongue location relative to your upper set of teeth.