Filling up with Air

David,

First, thanks for your hard work and dedication to the harmonica. I am a recent subscriber, but have been buying some of your books for years and I love your instruction. I have been trying to learn this wonderful instrument that fits in your pocket over the last few years and have excelled in somethings and struggle with others.  I am really hoping your site will help.  I play with a gentlemen once a week that gives pointers and advice.  He has helped with bending, rhythm and a few other key things.  He has taken me from being a basic melody player with "Ol' Susanna" to playing some pretty neat blues songs.  However, I feel like technique and some of the basics are still missing.  For example, I just went through your Lesson 1 Series on tongue blocking and learned a lot from your methods and am now practicing tongue switching which is something I have tried to avoid. So in two short days, your site has been a blessing and a help with your detailed methodolgy on teaching.  Thanks!!!!

However, I want to learn rhythm playing and how to do things like a Fox Chase or Old Style Country Blues.  Something that Joe Filisko does well on your album "History of Harmonica".  I am despirately struggling with breathing techniques and often fill up with air when performing patterns with lots of inhales.  I have searched YouTube and now your site for help and cannot seem to find what I need to guide me.  Can you give me some pointers or point me to some video lessons where I can learn how to do rhythm chugging and how to add melodies over it like Sonny Terry.  I know I will never be as good as those players or yourself but it is a personal goal of mine to master this instrument that I love and learn techniques like this.  I have become a huge fan of the blues and am excited everytime I can learn a new way to play it.

Thanks in advance...

Anthony