LOA 4 Gary's Blues
Hi David,
Couple of tips required here, I've just about nailed this tune but two issues I have, on the 3rd, and 5th choruses where the the double draw notes are and going into a few draw notes I seriously run out of air and have to exhale before I need a blow note,any exercises to help with this problem or tips to control it.
Other thing is I can play along with you playing the tune and keep in time but playing with the backing track I always lose my timing, due to my music reading skills not as good as they should be
Thanks
Roger
Hi David,
Thank you for this advice, I think you've made me aware of what my nose is doing which I haven't because of concentrating on other things while playing.
I've been practicing the Jimmy's Reed shuffle, even though it's not part of LOA 4 I really like the tune and its techniques,also starting to look at the other material too.
Thanks again
My pleasure. Yeah, paying attention to the nose is important the more you progress. I’m glad you like Jimmy’s Reed, it’s a fun one.
Hello Roger.
Make sure your nose is closed for your draw notes and to open your nose while you play the blow notes.
Though it can help to be good at reading the notated rhythms, only ~1% of students actually know how to read it, so you're not alone on playing the rhythms by ear. You just need more time playing with me on the original recording.
As part of your practice, also play to the original recording where you play very softly, focusing on what the band is doing. The goal is to get aquatinted with what the band is doing, as well as the harp, so you can use the band to help tell you where you are in the form.
It's also a good idea to highlight in the harmonica transcription the downbeat of each chord change (bars 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11) and confirm that you hear the band change chords with you. If you get to a chord chance in your playing, but you don't hear the band change with you, you're early. If you hear the band change before you get to your downbeat, then you're late.
These are just some helpful tips... it does all get down to reps. You can start work on other material on the site as you let this song simmer for a while... there's no rush to test.