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David's Tip of the Day: Different Types of Tremolo and Vibrato - Part 2, Hand Tremolo

Posted Wed, 05/14/2014 - 06:38 by David Barrett Admin

Cup your harmonica so that it's not squeezed airtight, but closed nonetheless. Most players hold the harmonica with their left hand and open/close their cupped hands using the wrist of their right hand at a speed slightly faster than a triplet (this depends on the tempo of a song, slower relative to fast tempos and faster relative to slow tempos). When your hands are closed, both the volume is soft and the tone is muted and bassy. When your hand open, the volume is loud and mid and high frequencies are back with a less tubby tone. Both volume and tone are changed in a hand tremolo. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Different Types of Tremolo and Vibrato - Part 1, Components

Posted Tue, 05/13/2014 - 07:11 by David Barrett Admin

Using a tremolo or vibrato is one of the most important techniques for players of wind and string instruments to utilize to add soul to their playing (which is mimicking the human voice by the way, if you didn’t already figure that out). To start our series let’s first define that there are three components that make up this sound we call tremolo or vibrato. First, a definition... Tremolo is change in amplitude (volume) and vibrato is change in pitch. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: When Spit Happens

Posted Mon, 05/12/2014 - 07:13 by David Barrett Admin

1) Play a Quick Chord - Playing multiple holes is a great way to clear spit. If you can incorporate this spit-clearing chord in the music, even better.

2) Quick Aggressive Tap on Leg - When the harmonica makes a dead-stop on your leg the spit keeps traveling and clears the reed slot.

3A) If not a memorized solo, avoid the stuck hole in your improvisation. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Sound Opinions Covers Chess Records (from the B1 Blues Room)

Posted Fri, 05/09/2014 - 06:46 by David Barrett Admin

This comes from Joe Filisko's B1 Blues Room student newsletter...

WBEZ's Sound Opinions recently discussed the legacy of Chess Records, with nods to harp legends, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry and more. This is definitely worth a listen: http://www.soundopinions.org/show/440

David's Tip of the Day: Keith Dunn - HOHNER Masters of the Harmonica

Posted Thu, 05/08/2014 - 07:18 by David Barrett Admin

I've had the pleasure of playing with Keith a couple of times. Keith is a very nice guy and has a cool approach to the harmonica that's both classic and open-minded at the same time. Here's his video interview...

Keith Dunn - HOHNER Masters of the Harmonica
http://youtu.be/Ytx29iz4OPE

David's Tip of the Day: Songwriting Spark, Part 3 - Head (Contemporary Artists)

Posted Wed, 05/07/2014 - 08:19 by David Barrett Admin

Here's a list of killer instrumentals with strong heads.

“All Corned Up” Jim Liban, Hot Tongue and Cold Shoulder
“The Bounce” Rod Piazza, Alphabet Blues
“Hittin’ Heavy” William Clarke, William Clarke, the Early Years, Vol. 1
“Red Top” Gary Primich, Mr. Freeze
“South Bay Beatdown” Gary Smith, Blues for Mr. B
“Harp Shuffle” Mark Hummel, Harmonica Party
“Blues For Big Nate” Jerry Portnoy, Red Hot ‘n’ Blue
“Club Zanzibar” Kim Wilson, Kirk Fletcher, Shades of Blue
“El Gado Rumba Azul” Curtis Salgado, Hit It ‘n Quit It
“Ashburn Blues” Dennis Gruenling, Jump Time continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Study Songs for Students (Joe Filisko)

Posted Tue, 05/06/2014 - 06:46 by David Barrett Admin

If you have a veracious apatite for learning songs (good for you!) and want more than what I've written for you on BluesHarmonica.com, Joe Filisko has some great study songs at http://www.filiskostore.com. He uses a different notation system than I, but it's common in the harmonica world to develop the skill to read multiple notation systems since there's no standard.

P.S., I really like "Rice Cool Blues," it uses chords, single notes and some bending that's fast, but used not too often.

David's Tip of the Day: Songwriting Spark, Part 3 - Head

Posted Mon, 05/05/2014 - 08:26 by David Barrett Admin

In Friday's tip I spoke of the hook, which is a catchy lick that's played by the rhythm section and BECOMES the groove.

The other most common way to play a catchy lick is to use it as the main lick in a head. The head is the same structurally as any other chorus in a song, it's just the BEST one. The lick is repeated within that chorus, using one of the Chorus Form structures I teach in Improvising Study 1 (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/improvising_study_1_chorus_forms) to make it memorable. continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Songwriting Spark, Part 2 - Groove/Hooks

Posted Fri, 05/02/2014 - 07:31 by David Barrett Admin

For a groove to be special, it's generally based on a cool lick, played by the rhythm section and sequenced throughout the chord changes (this is where the lick is moved up or down to be played on the other chords)... this special lick is known as a Hook. Here is a list of cool hooks that lay very well on the harmonica. To learn how to play these on the harmonica visit: http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/accompaniment_study_8

“Blue Midnight” Little Walter (Bass Line)
“I Found A New Love” Magic Sam
“Driving Wheel” Junior Parker
“Just to Be With You” Muddy Waters continue reading...

David's Tip of the Day: Songwriting Spark, Part 1 - Mood, Part 2

Posted Wed, 04/30/2014 - 06:53 by David Barrett Admin

"Sad Hours" by Little Walter starts with the guitar playing a bass line hook to set the mood with the band. Walter then enters with a pickup and holds a ghostly 5 draw. Walter plays thematically and never overplays... a great example of building a mood and staying with it. continue reading...

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