blues harmonica presentation - part 2

Blues Harmonica Lesson Two.

Learning to play a Clear Single Note.

Tips on how to play clear notes.Rule #1: Put the harp as deeply as possible in

your mouth.Rule #2: If you hold the harp on the edge of

your lips, your tone will be lousy.Rule #3: If your lips are clamped tightly on

the harp, your throat is constricted, your tone will be lousy.

Tips on Good Tone.Inner Compression:

Pressurize a column of air as it enters and leaves and stays in your body.

Do this by slightly resisting the airstream at your lips – and everywhere else.

This resistance creates back pressure.

You know you have this compression if your airstream makes a loud long hissing sound at draw for 10 seconds.

Vowel Sounds and Articulation.Play a 3 blow as if you are saying ‘oooo’, as in

“cool”.Now try saying ‘eeeee’ and listen to the tone

flatten out. This can teach you about how you form your

mouth to effect your tone. Articulation:

Practice saying ‘Ta-Ta’ to articulate a 3 blow.Practice saying ‘Ka-Ka’ to articulate a 3 blow.Practice saying ‘Wa-Wa’ to articulate a 3 blow.Practice a ‘ha’ sound by pushing from your

stomach.

The Harp as a Blues Singer.

Layout of Notes on C – Harp.

First Position ‘Straight Harp’

Second Position ‘Cross Harp’

Map of the Cross Harp

Your First Boogie - OneStart tapping out a 3 blow:

Move the harp slightly and draw on the 4 draw:

Your First Boogie - TwoTake a slight pause – and then slide down to

3 blow:

Play a long 4 draw and then slide up to the 5 draw:

Your First Boogie - ThreeFrom your 4 draw – blow out on 4 blow slide

to the 3 draw and wail on it – until you resolve on 3 blow:

Tongue the 3 blow and then create some tension on the 3 draw and resolve on the 3 blow:

Your First Boogie - FourPlay a long wailing 6 draw – ta ta ta ta ta ta

ta:

Resolve your tension on 6 blow:

BiographyAll information and scans were taken from:

Rock n’ Blues Harmonica – Revised edition Jon Gindick ISBN 0-930948-10-6

Visit http://www.gindick.com/

Songs played: “False Sense of Security” 7 Ways “Forgiven” 7 Ways