Posted Tue, 12/15/2015 - 09:26 by David Barrett Admin
Our next song on the School of the Blues House Band Standards list is "T-Bone Shuffle." We use the Boz Scaggs version in G (from the Come On Home album), with the harp player commonly using a C Harp. continue reading...
Posted Mon, 12/14/2015 - 08:35 by David Barrett Admin
Most examples of this song start from the V (last four bars of the 12 Bar Blues Progression... V IV I V), contains the classic Root 3rd 5th 6th Octave bass line (2 3 4 5+ 6+ 5+ 4 3 on the harmonica... 1+ 2+ 3+ 3" 3' 3" 3+ 2+ for the IV Chord and 1 2' 3" 3 for the V Chord) and the classic mid-song break on the I (with the harmonica lick of 2 3 4 5+ 6+ in 2nd Position and 1 2' 3" 3 4 in 3rd Position).
The version the house band uses is in C and from the CD Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live (Legacy Edition). Jerry Portnoy blows harp in 3rd Position (Bb Harmonica).
Posted Fri, 12/11/2015 - 09:04 by David Barrett Admin
Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me To Do" is the first song on the School of the Blues House Band Standards List. This laid back shuffle is the most common shuffle chosen by harmonica players due to its relaxed feel. It's a really easy groove to play to, so if you're new to soiling, choose this groove! To generically call for this feel say "Jimmy Reed Shuffle."
The song opens with two bars of the I Chord (one chord) to establish the feel (some musicians say "two for nothing"). The 12 Bar Blues form start with the vocals.
Posted Thu, 12/10/2015 - 12:53 by David Barrett Admin
Here's the School of the Blues standards list that each of the student house bands learn. The first 9 songs represent the common grooves in the blues (as well as song 12 for a swing). Songs 10 and 11 are common 8 bar blues progressions and songs 13 through 20 are famous songs that have specific elements that need to be learned to be played well. There are various elements in these songs (breaks for example and errors in timing/form) that also help a new blues band learn their trade. You can see this list at https://www.facebook.com/bluesharmonica
Posted Tue, 12/08/2015 - 08:45 by David Barrett Admin
After a lesson take your recorded files and import them into your computer. Label the files with the lesson date and number them. Listen back to your lesson (I do this the same day) and don't pick up your instrument, but make notes of important topics with their corresponding track numbers and time codes (a time code is simply what time it happens in that track). With this preparation you're ready to get to work on what's important the next time you sit down to practice.
Posted Mon, 12/07/2015 - 15:26 by David Barrett Admin
The fact that you're taking lessons from an instructor and not studying their primary instrument helps to set the tone that these lessons are to be very specific in focus. continue reading...
Posted Fri, 12/04/2015 - 08:43 by David Barrett Admin
Pretty cool to see this new CD on the market. There's some excellent playing and very mediocre playing... like most collections of modern players out... but it's great to see our ladies of blues harmonica getting their due.
Posted Thu, 12/03/2015 - 08:43 by David Barrett Admin
These are the things to have with you for your first lesson...
1) Printouts of the current songs you're working on (as well as maybe one you can already play well, so you can give them a taste of what you can do).
2) Download the MP3s (original and jam tracks) to your smartphone or burn a CD if that's more convenient (I have students bring their songs on a thumb drive, it makes it very easy for me to load onto my computer and use with my preferred programs). continue reading...
Posted Wed, 12/02/2015 - 08:52 by David Barrett Admin
In yesterday's tip you left a message for two instructors. When there are multiple instructors to choose from it's to your advantage to meet them to find which one is the best fit for your personality, learning style and goals. Most likely you'll speak with them on the phone first, so here's how your conversation might go before the first lesson... continue reading...