Category Archives: Hints And Tips

Beefing Up Those Bends – 3 Draw Bends

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Wilf

‘Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are’ Macbeth (Shakespeare) Brace yourself and take a deep breath. It’s time to face everyone’s worst harmonica nightmare – the three witches. They’re the three hole … Continue reading →

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Oopsie!

Posted on September 27, 2009 by Wilf

I declare it’s a pity, and God knows it’s a crying shame Credit to a recent contribution on Harp-L for bringing this small, but important detail to our attention. It’s a recording of the wonderful Sonny Boy Williamson II, starting … Continue reading →

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Making It In 4th Position – When Johnny Comes Marching Home [...with tab]

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Wilf

And let each one perform some part, To fill with joy the warrior’s heart.. Louis Lambert Applying the circle of 5ths to a C Major diatonic harmonica enables us to determine the alternative keys and their associated positions that are … Continue reading →

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Beefing Up Those Bends – 4 Draw Bend

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Wilf

Here’s a simple two-part exercise to help strengthen your 4 draw bend. We’ll assume you have already found your draw bend, but haven’t perfected playing it in isolation without scooping down from the clean draw. If you have already perfected … Continue reading →

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What Does ‘Cupped Harp’ Mean?

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Wilf

‘Work your hands from day to day, The winds will blow the profit.’ Louis MacNiece Introduction It all boils down to what you do with your hands. When playing acoustically, there are two principal hand positions – open and closed. … Continue reading →

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Tuning Up The Band

Posted on March 1, 2009 by Wilf

Thanks to Jim Faulkner for raising this point at today’s workshop. As it is such a handy point, I thought it would be better posted under Hints and Tips than Lesson Feedback… ‘Did you know The Who used a harp … Continue reading →

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1st Position Blues – Crossing The Canyon

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Wilf

‘…Who shall tempt with wandering feet, The dark unbottomed infinite abyss, And through the palpable obscure find out, His uncouth way.’ Paradise Lost (Milton) As a journeyman blues harp player, there comes a point when we start to explore blues … Continue reading →

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It’ll End In Tears – Top Tip

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Wilf

Top Tip Never play harmonica having just chopped onions with your bare hands. Alternatively try it and see how long you last. The Good Doctor managed three hours of teaching this evening and now has clear sinuses. For gastric maladies, … Continue reading →

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Why Are My Harp Notes Set Out This Way?

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Wilf

‘I do desire we may be better strangers.’ As You Like It (William Shakespeare). Background One of the first exercises we learn at the Harp Surgery is playing the major scale from blow 4 up to blow 7 (the mid … Continue reading →

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Overcoming Beginner’s Twitch

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Wilf

What is beginner’s twitch? It happens when you first start learning the harmonica. You hit a bum note, so you extend your arms from the elbows to visually locate the right hole on the harmonica, while shaking your head and … Continue reading →

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