Posted Mon, 07/14/2014 - 07:46 by David Barrett Admin
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...
Posted Thu, 07/10/2014 - 07:59 by David Barrett Admin
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.
Posted Wed, 07/09/2014 - 07:07 by David Barrett Admin
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).
Posted Tue, 07/08/2014 - 08:10 by David Barrett Admin
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...
Posted Thu, 07/03/2014 - 08:33 by David Barrett Admin
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
Posted Wed, 07/02/2014 - 06:45 by David Barrett Admin
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...
Posted Tue, 07/01/2014 - 07:53 by David Barrett Admin
The tip of the tongue is used for a single-hole block on the harmonica, like when playing the 1+/3+ and blocking the 2+ (creating the interval of a 5th, C and G while blowing on a C Harmonica). The tip is not used for standard tongue blocking due to its small size (more on this later). The tip is also used for the "T" articulation so common in the pucker embouchure for single notes, or for everyone when articulating chords.
Posted Mon, 06/30/2014 - 09:57 by David Barrett Admin
You're probably watching the footage that we recorded yesterday at Skip Simmons' place right now. Many times throughout the day we talked about an amp being more or less distorted. Your simple, but important, tip today is to match opposites. An amp that you feel is too distorted should be matched with a mic that you feel isn't distorted enough, and vice-verse. Don't disregard gear that's "too" this or that... there's a match out there for it.
Posted Mon, 06/30/2014 - 09:14 by David Barrett Admin
Join Mark Overman and myself as we present a series covering the usage of vintage P.A. heads for amplified blues harmonica playing. Our series starts with a visit to the innovator of P.A. head customization, Skip Simmons. In this installment Mark and Skip take us on a tour of Skip's vast warehouse of vintage gear. Our next installment will include an interview with Skip.
Posted Fri, 06/27/2014 - 07:16 by David Barrett Admin
Join me for Intermediate Student Ryan Walker's latest lesson where we cover Accompaniment Playing Study 5 (bluesy 7th Chords), Improvising Study 4 (V-IV-I Transition Licks), Solo Harmonica Study 3 (Bass Lines with Pulls) and Music Theory Study 3 (Playing in Minor).