Posted Tue, 05/21/2013 - 16:47 by David Barrett Admin
In this lesson we study how to approach playing horn lines and organ padding on the harmonica. This study brings a new slow blues jam track and full-length study song, this time a uptempo boogie with vocals and extended solos (solo based on Little Walter-style phrasing). This lesson is for intermediate skill level players. You'll need an A Harmonica for this study. continue reading...
Posted Tue, 05/21/2013 - 06:59 by David Barrett Admin
The fourth of the seven positions starts on the 4th Scale Degree of the Major Scale and is called 12th Position... this is playing in the key F on the C Harmonica. The Mode created is called the Lydian Mode.
The notes are as follows:
F G A B C D E F (same notes as the C Major Scale, just starting from F)
Posted Fri, 05/17/2013 - 12:50 by David Barrett Admin
The third of the seven positions starts on the 3rd Scale Degree of the Major Scale and is called 5th Position... this is playing in the key E on the C Harmonica. The Mode created is called the Phrygian Mode.
The notes are as follows:
E F G A B C D E (same notes as the C Major Scale, just starting from E)
Posted Thu, 05/16/2013 - 06:54 by David Barrett Admin
The second of the seven positions starts on the 2nd Scale Degree of the Major Scale and is called 3rd Position... this is playing in the key D on the C Harmonica. The Mode created is called the Dorian Mode.
The notes are as follows:
D E F G A B C D (same notes as the C Major Scale, just starting from D)
Posted Tue, 05/14/2013 - 06:59 by David Barrett Admin
The first of the seven positions is what we call 1st Position or Straight Harp... this is playing in the key C on the C Harmonica. The Mode created is called the Major Mode, or Ionian.
Posted Mon, 05/13/2013 - 11:05 by David Barrett Admin
If you have a sharp corner on a harmonica that's bothering you, get a file and get rid of it. Sharp corners can be a byproduct of the punching process on metal pieces or from the injection mold process with plastic pieces. Either way, there's plenty of underlying material to get out a fine file and take that sharp corner down. Sometimes just a basic emery board for finger nail care can do the job. Make sure to point the holes of your harmonica down so that any particles that come off don't go into your harmonica.
Posted Fri, 05/10/2013 - 06:50 by David Barrett Admin
Many of us poo-poo the practice of the major scale our instrument was constructed to play so well. Did you know that the C Major Scale on your C Major Harmonica contains the notes needed to play in seven positions?
Here are the full three octaves. Give it a play and let's discus it for a while.
Posted Thu, 05/09/2013 - 06:30 by David Barrett Admin
Hold your harmonica with both hands, using your standard cup. Now look at your harmonica and note how much of it is in your hands. The more of the harmonica in your hands, the less you can place in your mouth. The more harmonica you can place in your mouth, the larger your embouchure is (the harmonica acts like a wedge... opening your mouth the deeper it's wedged in). The larger your embouchure, the bigger your tone.
Posted Tue, 05/07/2013 - 07:18 by David Barrett Admin
"Who knows the secret I don't know, and who is it?" states Barry Schwartz on the TED Radio Hour Podcast 5/4/12 (NPR). When it comes to equipment, buy what most of the people you respect recommend (gear that has stood the test of time) and get to work.
Here's what I recommend...
Harmonica: Hohner Crossover
Microphone: JT30 body, a Shure CM or CR element, screw-on output connector, cable and backup screw-on to 1/4" female adapter