Posted Sat, 08/20/2011 - 09:45 by David Barrett Admin
Joe Filisko is one of the great blues harmonica educators of our modern time (ever really). As you watch each of his 18 Harmonica Insights write down the main ideas, making a list for yourself to save, print out, and review on a regular basis to get the most out of what Joe is teaching.
Posted Fri, 08/05/2011 - 08:28 by David Barrett Admin
Shuffle King - All judges have reviewed the Shuffle King submissions, visit the link below to see their comments. Winners will be announced on the 15th! http://www.bluesharmonica.com/shuffle_king_contest
Posted Thu, 08/04/2011 - 07:58 by David Barrett Admin
Why?
1) Listen - No playing... no humming... just listen.
Why: Just appreciate the lick for what the lick has to offer... what its essence is.
2) Hum - This personalizes/internalizes the lick... learning the rhythm and contour of the lick before you pick up your harmonica.
Why: If you play ON TOP of the music right away it will take longer and be less accurate to learn... it's like the saying, "How can you listen if you're talking?" make sense? continue reading...
Posted Wed, 08/03/2011 - 07:29 by David Barrett Admin
Here's more insight into yesterday's Tip of the Day...
1) Listen - No playing... no humming... just listen to what's being played.
2) Hum - This personalizes and internalizes the lick... learning the rhythm and contour of the lick before you pick up your machine (the harmonica) is imperative.
3) Practice - Stop the loop and practice on the harp. With the provided music work on the blows, draws, bends, movement... everything related to performing that lick on your machine. Do this until you can get close to the rhythm of the lick in your memory. continue reading...
Posted Tue, 08/02/2011 - 15:20 by David Barrett Admin
Join Mark Hummel for his chromatic harmonica instrumental "Humble Bug." In this video he explains the songwriting process for this tune and where some of the licks came from.
Posted Mon, 08/01/2011 - 08:32 by David Barrett Admin
Many harmonica models have sharp corners left over from the manufacturing process that can be uncomfortable and possibly cut you up. Get a file, fingernail file, fingernail boards (sand paper), anything that's meant to take material off... they all can do the job. File until that sharp corner feels butter smooth. If you're afraid of messin' up your harp, try it on an old model first.
Posted Thu, 07/28/2011 - 08:21 by David Barrett Admin
Every now and again we get tape goo on our equipment from either labeling it (gear) or taping it to the floor (cables). Goof Off is a great product to remove sticky substances.