blues harmonica lessons

What does it mean to "help" the harmonica community?

Here are some examples...

1) Ask the leader of the local jam session you frequent if there's anything you can help with. Aspects of running or setting up for the jam... getting the word out via social media or flyers in the local area...

2) Get the word out about products or services you feel strongly about in your social circles... local and your social media (Facebook, blog, etc.). Possibly write a review. continue reading...

What are you doing for the harmonica community?

We often hear a cool lick and learn just that lick, leaving the solo or instrumental behind (sometimes that lick is the only cool idea played... or at least cool to us at that moment in time). Many players just learn the lick and move on. If you move on you're guaranteed to not have it show up in your improvising. Unless the lick contains some super-sticky elements that makes it unusually easy to remember (doesn't usually happen) you'll need to play it a minimum of 50 times before it sticks into your long-term memory. continue reading...

A dialog on absolutes today. Not that anybody does this, but it's a good thought process...

The two main techniques used (and thus the two main technique areas of study) on the harmonica are bending and tongue blocking.

Someone who uses tongue blocking, but no bending, is focused on textural and rhythmic elements, at the detriment to bluesy pitch content. continue reading...

Gotta love the modern harmonica world!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Dc3ssh_bM

In this installment of the Bassman Chronicles Gary Smith shares his years of experience of using Bassmans and what he's done with his 1990 Reissue to dial it in the way he likes.

Blues Harmonica Method Level 2 BK/CD, The Tongue Block Method, just released. This would be on par with Level 4 bending and tongue block studies on the site.

Bending and advanced Tongue Blocking are covered along with three full-length song studies. Recording includes all harmonica parts notated in the book with accompaniment music. This book and its recording use the “C” and “A” major diatonic harmonica.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 – Bending
What Notes Can Be Bent
Bending Exercises
Two Note Combinations
Bending Example Song
Quartertone Bending continue reading...

You of course need a pimpin' ride for your harmonicas!

Hohner Harp Folder
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/hohner-leath...

Fender Harmonica Case (Note that Musician's Friend has a lower-price knock-off)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/fender-harmo...

Hetrick Harmonica Cases
http://www.harpcase.com/

Custom Harp Cases
http://www.customharpcases.com/

Cadillac Pete's Harmonica Stand
http://www.cadillacpete.com/harmonicaStands.html