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What's New: Masco Chronicles - Skip Simmons Interview

Posted Wed, 07/16/2014 - 20:46 by David Barrett Admin
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In this installment of the Masco Chronicles I interview the innovator of P.A. head restoration and customization for blues harmonica, Skip Simmons.

David's Tip of the Day: Flashlight for Checking Tightness of Bullet Mic Cupping

Posted Wed, 07/16/2014 - 07:48 by David Barrett Admin
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Fellow student SmokeJS has the following tip for you. The special mic he refers to is the bullet mic I had made for teaching mic cupping technique that has a halogen bulb in place of a mic cartridge.

--- continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Bill Barrett - HOHNER Masters of the Harmonica

Posted Tue, 07/15/2014 - 07:02 by David Barrett Admin
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Bill Barrett - HOHNER Masters of the Harmonica
http://youtu.be/Lm_e2BZMbJM

Published on Jul 15, 2014 from Hohner Harmonicas continue reading...

What's New: Peg Leg Sam Train Imitation Lesson with Joe Filisko

Posted Mon, 07/14/2014 - 16:02 by David Barrett Admin
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Peg Leg Sam train imitation lesson with Joe Filisko is now up under the "Train Imitation Study 2 - Artist Studies" at BluesHarmonica.com

David's Tip of the Day: Parts of the Tongue, Part 6 - Root

Posted Mon, 07/14/2014 - 06:46 by David Barrett Admin
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The root of the tongue and pharynx walls are what move in the vibrato process. The tongue needs to be in a relaxed state as to allow the tremolo action of the throat (vocal folds) to move the tongue sympathetically... this is why it's important not to use tension in the bending process as one advances in their skills. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Parts of the Tongue, Part 5 - Back

Posted Thu, 07/10/2014 - 06:59 by David Barrett Admin
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The back of the tongue is used for articulation with all embouchures (it's the primary articulation for tongue blocking). This is commonly accessed by using "g," as in "ga" or "k," as in "ka." When bending this turns into "gu" and "ku." This is also the area of the tongue that's raised when bending lower-pitched reeds, like 3, 2 and 1 on an A Harmonica for example.

David's Tip of the Day: Parts of the Tongue, Part 4 - Middle

Posted Wed, 07/09/2014 - 06:07 by David Barrett Admin
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We're now to the part of the tongue that's not used for tongue blocking or articulation. "EE" is a good approximation for the movement of the middle of the tongue upwards in the mouth. The humping of the middle of the tongue is commonly the location for bending on the 4 draw and the first stages of the 3 draw (3' for example).

David's Tip of the Day: Parts of the Tongue, Part 3 - Middle-Front

Posted Tue, 07/08/2014 - 07:10 by David Barrett Admin
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Behind the blade of the tongue (what we'll call the middle-front) is the area used to control draw bends on holes 5 and 6, and blow bends on holes 7 through 10. This area of the tongue requires the most training and time to develop. The middle or back of the tongue is easy to raise and interact with the roof of the mouth. The middle-front has the challenge of working in the area of the mouth where there's a sharp curvature, between the Post-alveolar and Pre-palatal (location 5 and 6 in the diagram here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alveolar_consonants). continue reading...

What's New: Jim Liban Release

Posted Thu, 07/03/2014 - 07:33 by David Barrett Admin
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One of my favorite living blues harp player, Jim Liban, just released a new CD! I'm listening to it right now... killer playing. I'll provide you a complete track list of harp keys and positions used Monday. To get you started, the first track he uses a G Harmonica in 2nd Position. Now get to work stealing licks!

"I Say What I Mean"
Jim Liban & The Joel Paterson Trio

iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-say-what-i-mean/id893469311

CD Baby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimliban

David's Tip of the Day: Parts of the Tongue, Part 2 - Blade

Posted Wed, 07/02/2014 - 05:45 by David Barrett Admin
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The blade of the tongue is the front of the tongue, just behind the tip. This part of the tongue is used for tongue blocking an octave and for standard single-hole tongue blocking. When performing an octave, your lips surround four holes and with a very light tough, the natural convex shape of the blade of your tongue covers the middle two holes (if you press your tongue on the face of the harmonica too hard you’ll block all four holes, so a light touch is important). continue reading...