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Tip of the Day: Roll Cables like a Pro!

Posted Tue, 11/22/2011 - 07:44 by David Barrett Admin

Many years ago I was "helping" at the end of a show to clean up... unplugging cables, rolling them up and such. An apprentice sound man came up to me and said, "ah man, not that way, my boss'll make me redo all of these cables when I get to the shop," and preceded to show me a way to roll cables so that they didn't get tangled. I've used it ever since... it works great!

Here's how you do it...

1) Hold the cable in your left hand. continue reading...

Tip of the Day: AC/DC "It's A Long Way To The Top"

Posted Mon, 11/21/2011 - 12:57 by David Barrett Admin

Today's tip comes courtesy of student Justin, who has a love for all things rock harmonica! Below is the bagpipe parts at 1:30 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuFd4MIa2eU).

Key: Bb

OPTION #1 - Bb Harmonica in 1st Position

Opening Bend = 3' 3 4+ (slur all notes)

Solo = 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 5 6+ 5 5+… / 5+ 5 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 6 6+ 5 6+… 5 6+ 5 5+… / Guitar, then 8'+ 8+ 10+, repeat this for a total of 4x / long held notes = 3' 3" 2, repeat for a total of 4x / Ending slides = 2 2" 2+ 1+

OPTION #2 - Eb Harmonica in 2nd Position

Opening Bend = 2" 2' 2 (slur all notes) continue reading...

Tip of the Day: What's in your Practice Room?

Posted Fri, 11/18/2011 - 08:45 by David Barrett Admin

Here are the items I suggest you have in your practice room. For more information, visit my videos on this subject in the new Blues Harmonica Fundamentals lesson at BluesHarmonica.com

1) Comfortable Chair - I like ones with armrests

2) Strong Music Stand - Manhasset music stands are the industry standard
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/manhasset-m48-symphony-music-...

3) Device to play, slow down and loop music you’re working on - I recommend the Amazing Slow Downer
www.ronimusic.com

4) Metronome continue reading...

Tip of the Day: Bringing Excitement into a Performance with a Band

Posted Wed, 11/16/2011 - 07:08 by David Barrett Admin

How do you get ALL of the members of a band involved with a soloist while performing? Here are two great tools a soloist can use now… continue reading...

Tip of the Day: Hohner 364 and 365 Alternative

Posted Tue, 11/15/2011 - 07:06 by David Barrett Admin

I just received an email from a student asking questions about the Hohner 364... the 12-hole Low-C Harmonica (the 365 is a 14-hole). Though it no doubt looks cool in pictures (it's big!), the untreated wood comb and larger body size is not desirable. Now that the Hohner Thunderbird is out, you can get a Low-C in a standard body size... my first custom harmonica was from Richard Sleigh many years ago, and it was for a Low C Marine Band... again, so I could have a standard body size Low-C. It will cost you $200+ to have this done, and Thunderbirds are going for around $135 out the door. continue reading...

What's New: Gary Smith Submission #28 - Playing the Tramp Groove

Posted Mon, 11/14/2011 - 13:57 by David Barrett Admin

Gary Smith and I cover the challenges of playing to the Tramp Groove. In this lesson we cover the history, rhythmic variations that can be used for improvising and we play a whole bunch. Gary also shares some stories, one having to do with Junior Wells' tongue in Gary's mouth!

I can't figure out what key this song is in... help!

Posted Mon, 11/14/2011 - 07:46 by David Barrett Admin

Today's tip comes from the HarpSmith. Thank you Kinya!

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Hello Everyone. For those of you having a challenging time identifying the correct key signature and tempo to a song that you would like to solo over ... check this out!

A DJ friend of my recently turned me on to a terrific piece of software called, "Mixed in Key." It will analyze any song located on your computer, then identify both the key signature and tempo. continue reading...

Practice (Lesson 19) - Self-Recording, Part 1

Posted Sun, 11/13/2011 - 07:02 by David Barrett Admin

“There is nothing more fatal for our musical sense than to allow ourselves—by the hour—to hear musical sounds without really listening to them.” Tobias Matthay, Pg 16, The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness By Gerald Klickstein

Practice (Lesson 18) - Capacity

Posted Sat, 11/12/2011 - 10:17 by David Barrett Admin

“Your creative capacity is determined by your musical and technical abilities, along with your available practice time. Your capacity will increase as your strength and skills grow. However, for you to make progress with basics such as on-stage confidence and ease of execution, your repertoire choices must be within your capacity. Musicians who pick unobtainable pieces foster destructive habits, such as anxiety and tension, and they miss out on learning how to present secure, poetic performances.” Pg 14, The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness By Gerald Klickstein

What's New: Mark Hummel Submission #15 - Choosing Positions

Posted Fri, 11/11/2011 - 07:35 by David Barrett Admin

In Mark Hummel's latest submission he covers his thoughts on playing different positions to match the key, mood and groove of a song.

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