tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361390232024-10-04T18:57:10.851-07:00The obsessions of a harmonica man. This site is dedicated to the little I know about playing harmonica, about practice strategies, and learning.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-33114148781941178732015-03-20T14:06:00.001-07:002015-03-20T14:06:20.801-07:00

In Olde English, The Keep was a castle within the castle, a stronghold within the fortress. The word survives today with a modified meaning: to hold safe or to hold strongly. To hold for one's self, not surrendering. This post will relate a kernel of that meaning to playing Blues Harmonica, thus...Keep the Fire Burning Learn the music. Learn the music as fully, completely, literally, exactly

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-2959472251545974782015-01-23T11:32:00.001-08:002015-01-23T11:32:23.886-08:00

Some of you struggle with practice as much as I do. I worry that I don't practice enough, or that my practice isn't effective enough, focused well enough, or as intense as it ought to be. Maybe it's just human nature.It's not that there aren't enough effective strategies out there. It's not that I don't have goals...maybe it's just motivation or maybe I'm not desperate enough, hungry enough,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-54624265687394395052014-03-06T00:30:00.001-08:002014-03-13T14:01:17.500-07:00

A harmonica student wanted very badly to be a very good harmonica player. In fact, he wanted it so badly that one night he dreamt he met Sonny Boy Williamson II, Little Walter, Sonny Terry and Big Walter Horton. He spoke first to Sonny Terry, "If I work hard to learn harmonica, how long before I can play as well as you?" He asked. "Ten years, at least", said Sonny Terry."But if I work twice

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-11941289289011862162013-09-29T11:41:00.000-07:002013-09-29T11:41:30.957-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. I'm working my way through many of the 101+ ways and elaborating on the points. This entry is number 27. 27. Spend a few minutes each week or each month working on some instructional material. Doesn't have to be for harmonica. Just work on

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-48834414980890564122013-08-13T13:11:00.001-07:002013-10-16T17:43:31.599-07:00

I know (if we pretend for a moment there are actually people reading this blog) that many of you will disagree with this post. Fine, disagree. For those of you who are interested in sounding better through your amp, this post is for you. I'll warn you that this goes against common practice:Ditch the volume control on your mic.  It will make you sound better. How's that??It will cause

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-39206325390184301072013-08-07T23:00:00.001-07:002013-08-07T23:00:10.152-07:00

THE WYNTON MARSALIS 12 RULES OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICE:1. Seek out the best private instruction you can afford.2. Write/work out a regular practice schedule.3. Set realistic goals.4. Concentrate when practicing5. Relax and practice slowly6. Practice what you can't play. - (The hard parts.)7. Always play with maximum expression.8. Don't be too hard on yourself.9. Don't show off.10. Think for yourself.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-25928538354582949912013-05-02T19:49:00.002-07:002013-05-02T19:49:44.112-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. I'm working my way through many of the 101+ ways and elaborating on the points. This entry is number 26.  26. Next time your guitarist (keyboard player, horn player, drummer) is on a good blow, LAY OUT. Seriously. Read that again, and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-72896878181095593632013-05-01T10:24:00.001-07:002013-05-02T19:19:22.094-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. I'm working my way through many of the 101+ ways and elaborating on the points. This entry is number 23. 23. Don't play like Dylan, but you also don't have to always play perfectly either. Loosen up - make a mistake now and then, get a little

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-37256384764950455482013-03-26T14:40:00.000-07:002013-03-26T14:46:33.214-07:00

Photo - Hailey Terry I just received this beautiful hand-tooled and custom fitted Harmonica Case (for a Hohner 280) from SilverWing Leather. Photo - Hailey Terry What a nice case! I've never seen such a luxurious, distinctive case for a harmonica. Most folks 'adapt and re-purpose' cases intended for other small items to keep their instruments safe. Now there's a high quality alternative

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-4098738117612279762013-03-02T17:46:00.001-08:002015-01-04T00:11:08.266-08:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. I'm working my way through many of the 101+ ways and elaborating on the points. 21. You have two ears, one mouth for a reason. Listen to your bandmates. Give them the same respect and space you appreciate. Honestly, there's no more important

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-49317478063006081762012-12-26T13:25:00.001-08:002012-12-28T23:08:54.291-08:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. I'm working my way through many of the 101+ ways and elaborating on the point. 17. You know all those contemporary players you enjoy listening to? Find out who they listen to. Then find out who those guys listened to. Go to the source. Whether

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-57522670009541983852012-11-23T11:57:00.000-08:002012-11-23T12:02:32.038-08:00

Play at appropriate volumes, even when amplified. John Lee Hooker, when confronted with a very loud room (loud audience), would play very softly, until the audience quieted down. So should you. Think this is a case of "if it's too loud, you're too old"? Wrong. Blues music (or really, most roots-based American music) gets its intensity from dynamics and feel. Volume is a fairly recent

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-86994926535050290172012-10-29T23:24:00.000-07:002012-10-29T23:24:36.719-07:00

Don't cling too much to any one idea - especially one particular approach to your sound over any other - and especially if you find yourself 'forcing' that sound into everything you play. Ok, this can go deep... I hear a lot of harp guys with less experience that are just way too focused on mics and amps. All an amplifier does is amplify what you put into it. If you don't have great technique

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-46166372419599130592012-10-17T23:55:00.001-07:002012-10-29T23:11:00.593-07:00

[Saw this on a friend's feed, had to transcribe it and re-post. All emphasis is the author's] Just because you're not a drummer doesn't mean you don't have to keep time. Pat your foot and sing the melody in your head when you play. Stop playing all (that bullshit) those weird notes, play the melody! Make the drummer sound good! Discrimination is important. You've got to dig it to dig it, you

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-11951780154378329172012-08-09T23:11:00.002-07:002012-08-09T23:11:33.195-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. I'm working my way through each of the ways and elaborating on the point. 8. Don't tighten up - keep your upper body, neck and face as relaxed as possible. It will open your tone. Good posture is important - for some of us, it's as important

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-47320088320648776402012-08-05T10:24:00.000-07:002012-08-05T10:24:03.321-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 7. An old sound-man/engineer trick: Use 2 mics when recording your amp - one near, one further away. This can make a tiny amp sound enormous! I have used a "

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-66322032465368410672012-07-31T23:28:00.001-07:002012-07-31T23:34:31.199-07:00

Something I've noticed about the best musicians that contrasts very sharply with those having less experience is the ability to listen discretely, accurately, minutely. For example, when I am coaching kids or less experienced players, they may experience a little difficulty hearing the correct note, or the correct interval, or even the exact timing of a phrase. This is not a fault, only a lack

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-45071719797981761512012-05-08T07:44:00.000-07:002012-05-08T07:53:54.951-07:00

As a musician, I spend a good portion of time "in the woodshed". My practice time lately has been changing. Since I'm learning chromatic harmonica as well as diatonic, my practice is often focused on one instrument, not both. On chromatic, I focus mostly on scales, learning "Heads", and reading (music). On diatonic, I've been focusing on certain techniques: blow bends, chugs, and whoops. For

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-28387177421633055032012-03-24T20:31:00.000-07:002012-03-29T20:36:22.222-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 6. Miles Davis advised "Think of a note. Now, don't play it." Pick a note in your solo to avoid. Now solo all around it. Now, try the opposite - pick a note in your

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-51721584937867704072012-03-22T08:27:00.000-07:002012-03-22T08:27:03.752-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 5. After you learn how to make good tone acoustically, learn to get a good sound plugging straight into your amp, without reverb, delay, or other effects first.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-11832701284037666492012-03-18T15:17:00.005-07:002012-03-18T15:17:44.533-07:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 4. Learn to play with facility at a whisper as well as a wail. Vary your dynamics - it adds drama, and drama is good for your musical performance. Dynamics make your

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-85579200762133303262012-03-10T09:58:00.000-08:002012-03-10T09:59:08.783-08:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 3. Clap your hands, shake a shaker, stomp your feet, move your butt! Get intimately familiar with the rhythm of the music you're playing. Rhythm is PARAMOUNT. Even

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-49504693559437348752012-02-18T23:05:00.000-08:002012-02-18T23:07:58.162-08:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 2. Even if you don't sing well, sing anyway - at least in the woodshed. Sing the melody, sing your riffs, sing everything. It will make you so much more familiar

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-87734607200135713632012-02-13T23:20:00.000-08:002012-02-18T23:07:35.813-08:00

I have a page on this site entitled 101+ ways to sound better playing harmonica which was inspired by a Guitar Player Magazine article similarly titled. For the next 100 or so posts, I'm going to go through the ways, and elaborate. 1. Even if you haven't 'mastered' all the tunes and tricks you want to, shuffle new tunes, licks and techniques into your practice routine to keep it fresh - you

Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-46164152300771148252012-01-23T11:25:00.000-08:002012-01-26T15:53:17.082-08:00

Got this from the Jazz Advice blog Item #10 of 20: Practicing is about notes and rhythms, improvising is about life The things you do in the practice room are important for your playing. Everyone tells you to listen and to transcribe and this is definitely the path to getting better. These practice habits will give you technique and knowledge, but you still need to have something personal to

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com