Skills Focus – Third Position Blues – holes 1 to 10
Repertoire – Blowin’ The Family Jewels (William Clarke) – G Harmonica
Ear Training – Learn to identify the keys and harp positions of our selected tracks
Schedule : Tuesday 7.00-8.00pm (UK)
Platform : Zoom
Entry : £10.00 GBP payable in advance
Sign up : paypal.me/harpsurgery (more…)
Online harmonica lessons are available to fit your timeframe, musical learning needs and budget. We’ll run some initial checks to assess your current skills and ability level, then map out a pathway of exercises and study pieces to expand your capabilities and repertoire.
Your learning pathway can incorporate a range of styles from blues, country and Americana, to folk, rock, pop and jazz.
Why not take the plunge? Just visit the Contact page and let me know your thoughts. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals.
The Perfect Musical Gift
What could be better than starting the New Year learning harmonica with a highly experienced, professional harmonica tutor (as heard on BBC TV).
Harp Surgery tutors students every day all around the world over Zoom, and one-to-one in the comfort of the Harp Surgery itself in Brighton & Hove (UK).
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or it’s just for fun, this is the perfect way to show a loved one how much you care. Simply purchase a lesson, or multiple lessons, in advance and we will email you a voucher to print out at home. (more…)
Don’t start me talking, I’ll tell you everything I know
Elwood reminded folks at the Harp Surgery it’s the anniversary of Sonny Boy II’s birthday this week. How about we tab out one of his monster tracks? he suggested. The Doc stroked his goatee and lifted his bowler down from the coat stand. No need to tab one number, young Elwood, we’ll do them ALL he replied. But how is that possible? quizzed Elwood.
The Doc raised a sagely eyebrow. Once you’ve mastered his trademark cross-harp licks and timing, my boy, you can tackle much of his material. Then it’s a case of studying the first position harp work, timing and tone. But always remember you will never sound exactly like the master, nor should you . Elwood started warming his favourite blues burger. So where do we begin? he asked. From the turn around, answered the Doc, it’s his signature lick. It goes like this…
The keys to success
Different players and tutors will give different answers depending on their experience and personal preference. The choice is subjective and may also be steered by budget. From a practical perspective however, there are keys that are used a lot and others that tend to gather dust. Here’s our take.
A complete set of regular tuned harps will have twelve keys : A Bb B C Db D Eb E F F# G Ab
Most players start with a C harmonica. This is mid-range tonally and most tutorial information is published in this key. Next up are A D G F and Bb. These keys are used most often on the band stand, when jamming and when learning from recordings by the greats.
We then recommend a Low F. A regular F is very high tonally. A Low F lends itself to blow bending in holes 8-10. It’s also good for familiarising with the feel of Low tunings. Then we’d recommend Eb and Ab, and finally B, Db, E and F#. From experience, these last four are used least frequently.
You might also like to supplement your spread with a High G. Tonally a normal G is the lowest of the regular tunings. There may be the odd occasion when you want to work in a higher pocket. Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini is an example.
How low can you go?
From here, and if you’re willing to splash out, you can add your choice of Low tunings. These are an octave below regular tuned harps. They are not only ideal for creating a darker mood, but also for occupying a lower pocket when accompanying, for example, slide guitar. Listen to recordings by Son of Dave for an idea of how great these sound, and also Mr Lucky by Gary Primich.
A guide to straight blues harping
No force, however great, can stretch a cord, however fine, into a horizontal line which is accurately straight. Elementary Treatise On Mechanics (William Whewell)
The classic blues harmonica journey starts with a crusade to the Holy Shrine of cross harp. Whereupon, straight harp (normally in the guise of Oh Susannah) is swiftly abandoned. Drunk on the glories of success, and soon lavishly equipped with assault amplifiers and bullet microphones, the crusade continues.
New techniques are won – including tongue blocking, vibrato, blow bends and third position blues – before a dark specter looms like a cloud on the horizon; the ghost of first position past. It’s been neglected for too long and now it’s broken our serenity, and it’s raining torment. Here’s how to make amends…
