hand

The basic 2-Point Hold has the position of the forefinger (A) on the top and thumb (B) on the bottom, but there's nothing stopping the harmonica from pushing away from your mouth as you play. In today's picture note that the middle finger (C) is behind the harmonica, between the comb and upper cover plate. This gives you a 3-Point Hold, making for a more secure harmonica and relaxed holding hand. continue reading...

Yes, you can just pick up the harp and play, but since we're studying how to play well, why not use a hold that's more stable and minimizes fatigue? Let's start today by looking at the basic 2-Point Hold (Pic 1 - 2 Points Contact.jpg). Note the position of the forefinger (A) on the top and thumb (B) on the bottom. Look at this, and then look at your hold and study how other parts of your hand (we're only talking about your left hand right now) may assist you in this hold. continue reading...

Here's my basic handwritten TAB for the fist line of Little Walter's "Rocker." When a hole number stands by itself it's to be drawn (inhaled). When a hole number is followed by a plus it's to be blown (exhaled). Each slash that follows a hole number represents a half step of bend. If two notes are connected by a arched line, the bend is to be slurred (slides from one note to the next). I use a comma to separate phrases, making breaking down the phrase for study easier. This is also helpful for seeing how the phrasing works for dynamic presentation. continue reading...

When watching players like Sonny Terry and Rice Miller on video you'll sometimes see them move their hands left to right or fan the harmonica while playing. Though they don't touch the harmonica, this rhythmic movement in front of the harmonica does alter their tone and volume in a rhythmic way. It's hard to call this a full-on tremolo due to its short duration and small tonal change, but it's cool and worthy of mention.

The most powerful vibrato/tremolo type I've heard came from the late-great William Clarke. He played an intense tremolo or vibrato (very fast tremolo or vibrato with large swing in pitch) and at the same time opened and closed his hands slower than the vibrato, creating a very cool and powerful oscillating effect. Take a listen to "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" from the Blowin' Like Hell release at 2:27. continue reading...

The Exaggerated Hand Tremolo takes your same hand tremolo and exaggerates it by taking your right hand completely off of the harmonica (as far as timing allows). The farther your hand travels away from the harmonica the cooler the visual effect. This technique is great when you're really wailing on a 4/5 combo. This technique works just as well amplified as it does acoustically (of which the standard hand tremolo is generally rare). continue reading...

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...