Shake

When it doubt, shake.

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...

The 4 draw shake (alternating between 4 draw and 5 draw) is a sound that universally works anywhere in the blues. So, when in doubt of what to play, shake!

If you listened to "My Blues" (Bending Study 4) very carefully you would have noticed that the tremolo, vibrato and flutter techniques did not lock to the beat in a simple way... like 2, 3 or 4 pieces to the beat. In other words, if a transcription artist didn't know anything about the harmonica, if you were to play your tremolo, vibrato or flutter as a triplet rhythm for example, they may actuality write the pitch that you're doing a tremolo, vibrato or flutter on as individual notes. continue reading...