learning

Beginning Student Hob Bosold's latest lesson is now up (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/contributor/hob_bosold). In this lesson we review tongue switching, sliding on the face of the harmonica with one breath and solo harmonica study material. Hob learns how bending works, how to play two-note combinations, shakes, speed licks and how to approach playing with good tone on the high end.

Videos include:
Lesson 3 – Intro
Lesson 3 – Tongue Block Study 1: Walk With Me, Choruses 1-3 Review, Part 1
Lesson 3 – Tongue Block Study 1: Walk With Me, Choruses 1-3 Review, Part 2 continue reading...

Before machines and software existed to slow music down we had no choice but to learn/transcribe music at its full tempo. You could change the speed on your record player or use your thumb to slow down the record’s rotation, but the result was a change of key (and not dead-on… it wasn’t like you could grab another key of harp and you were good to go). When Marantz came out with their tape recorder with half speed playback we teachers picked it up (it was expensive… around $600 if I remember correctly). continue reading...

I like using a pen when transcribing... the idea that it’s permanent causes me to take my time and confirm that what I'm hearing is correct before penning it to paper.