June 2011 Newsletter Leader in Education since 1994

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Steve Baker’s Harmonica Masters Workshop 2011

This internationally renowned event takes place again in Trossingen, —a small music town in the beautiful Black Forest region of Southern Germany known for its rich harmonica heritage for almost 200 years. Trossingen is the current headquarters of Hohner and the home of the German Harmonica & Accordion Museum, so it’s a trip well worth traveling just for the special tours of these facilities offered to attendees. The Harmonica Masters Workshops are without parallel in and combine classes taught by a world-class team of instructors with evening concerts and sessions. This event offers players the unique opportunity to study harmonica over a period of several days under the guidance of the instructors, and then hang out with them in the evening and see them in action up close. Instructors are: Steve Baker, Joe Filisko and myself (Master Classes) as well as Hermine Deurloo (Chromatic) and Riedel Diegel (Beginning Diatonic Blues). http://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/home/

Hohner Marine Band Thunderbird Hohner has just released a new sub-low series of harmonicas called the Thunderbird. This harmonica combines the successful Crossover Marine Band platform with newly engineered reeds and cover plates (designed by Joe Filisko). Note how the bottom coverplate is designed to prevent the low reeds from hitting. Keys available are Low to Sub-Low F.

1 BLUESHARMONICA.COM - WHAT'S NEW! Shuffle King - BluesHarmonica.com Original Instrumental Songwriting Contest Sponsored by Hohner Harmonicas www.hohnerusa.com MegaTone Amps www.megatoneamps.com Eminence Speakers www.eminence.com and Fritz Hasenpusch Custom Mics www.harpmicman.com

Submissions are now being accepted for the contest at: http://www.bluesharmonica.com/shuffle_king_contest

This year at BluesHarmonica.com I and the other contributors are 100% focused on helping to make you a better soloist and instrumental . Lessons on improvising and songwriting are now on the site. To give some fun context to your studies we’re presenting this songwriting contest.

Prizes: - 1st Place: Set of 5 Hohner Blue Midnight Harmonicas; Hohner harmonica case; MegaTone David Barrett Signature Harp Monitor ($600 value!); harp mic overhaul by Fritz Hasenpusch Custom Mics, History of the Blues Harmonica Concert 2xCD Set; certificate signed by judges - 2nd Place: Set of 5 Hohner Blue Midnight Harmonicas; Hohner harmonica case; History of the Blues Harmonica Concert 2xCD Set; certificate signed by judges - 3rd Place: Hohner harmonica case; History of the Blues Harmonica Concert 2xCD Set; certificate signed by judges

Improvising Study 2 - Focus Notes, Texture & Rhythm In your last study you learned how to use repetition to create memorable solos and instrumentals. In this study you’ll learn the art of Focus Notes (helps in your lick decision process and in moving you around the range of the harmonica), Textures and Rhythm. Videos include: Introduction; The Focus Notes Concept; The Focus Note Process; 1 Focus Note; 2” Focus Note; 2 Focus Note; 3 Focus Note; 4 Focus Note; 5 Focus Note; 6+ Focus Note; 7 Focus Note; 8 Focus Note; 9 Focus Note; 9+ Focus Note; Focus Note Context; Homework Assignment 1A – Analysis “Temperature”; Homework Assignment 1B – Analysis “Temperature” Answers; Homework Assignment 2; Summarizing Focus Notes; Using Textures; Homework Assignment 1A – Analysis “The Split”; Homework Assignment 1B – Analysis “The Split” Answers; Homework Assignment 2; Using Rhythm; Homework Assignment and Rapping it All Up. This study is on the site now.

James Harman Artist Study James Harman is one of our great multi-instrumentalists and of today. In his instrumental "Skeet-A-Little Taste" James gives us a fun taste of playing the Low-F Harmonica in a super-cool shuffle groove. Bending and tongue blocking are at a minimal speed, so this is a perfect study for our intermediate players.

Improvising Study 3 - Dynamics In Study 3 we focus on the most important and most underused element in conveying emotion... dynamics. Videos include: Introduction; Exploring Dynamic Range, Part 1; Exploring Dynamic Range, Part 2; Changing Volume each Chorus; Changing Volume with Chord Change; Changing Volume within a Phrase; Speed and Decay; Embouchure and Hand Tone; Review and Homework Assignment. This study is on the site now.

2 Improvising Study 4 - V-IV-I Transition Licks & Concepts In this study we develop your V-IV-I lick vocabulary by building your chord knowledge and studying almost a 100 licks from great players of the past and present. Videos include: Introduction; V-IV-I Transition Licks Defined - Part 1; V-IV-I Transition Licks Defined - Part 2; V-IV-I Chord Tones - Chord Tones; V-IV-I Chord Tones - Chord Tones and Improvisation; V-IV-I Chord Tones - Multiple Chord Tones; V-IV-I Arpeggios; V-IV-I Lick Intro; V-IV-I Licks - Examples 1 through 25; V-IV-I Licks - Examples 26 through 34; V-IV-I Licks - Examples 35 through 51; V-IV-I Licks - Examples 52 through 59; V-IV-I Licks - Examples 60 through 82; II-V-I Licks and Homework. This study will be on the site soon.

Improvising Study 5 - Turnaround Licks & Concepts In this study we’ll develop your Turnaround lick vocabulary as well as learn how to utilize this area of the 12 Bar Blues to help lead into the next chorus of a solo. Videos Include: Introduction; Review of V-IV-I Transitions (Improvising Study 4); Turnaround Definition; Classic Turnaround; No Turnaround; Pickup to Next Chorus; Buildup to Next Chorus; Start Next Chorus Early; Example 1 – I-V Turnaround Chord Tones; Example 2 – I-IV-I-IV Turnaround Chord Tones; Example 2 – I-VI-II-V Turnaround Chord Tones; Classic Turnaround Licks – Examples 1-17; Classic Turnaround Licks – Examples 18-34; Buildup Licks – Examples 1-12; Classic Slow Blues Turnaround Licks – Examples 1-17; Song Analysis & Homework; Closing. This study will be on the site soon.

Improvising Study 6 - Endings Licks & Concepts In this study you’ll learn how to approach the different ending types used in blues and study some great ending licks from players of our past and present. Videos include: Introduction; Common Ending Types; Rhythmic Approaches; Ending Licks Examples 1-30; Homework Assignment. This study will be on the site soon.

Improvising Study 7 - Heads, Hooks, Bridges, Breaks & Soloing Themes In this Improvising Study we dig into the two most important elements of instrumental song writing— the Head and Hook. I also share with you how bridges, hooks and soloing themes can be used to help keep an instrumental interesting, even in the most basic of grooves. Videos include: Introduction; Definition of the Head; Head Examples; More Head Examples; Hook Definition and Example; Bridge Definition; Bridge Example; Breaks - Bar 1; Breaks - Bar 12; Breaks - Off The Wall; Soloing Approaches; Building in Pitch; Building in Activity; Building in Texture; Positions; Final thoughts on Soloing Themes; Song Analysis; Composition Checklist & Homework. This study is on the site now.

Complete List of Lessons Visit www.bluesharmonica.com/lesson-list.com for a complete listing of lessons on the website... there are now over 1,600 lesson videos!

3 MONTHLY INTERNET FIND A1blues.com Blues Harmonica Interviews Here’s how they describe their free service, “Interviews and music by top Blues Artists. Each show spotlights one artist for the whole 30-minutes. This is your chance to really get to know the artist and their music, not just one song. Some past artists you can hear are Roomful of Blues, Walter Trout, Michael Burks, Ana Popovic, , Bruce Iglauer of , Duke Robillard, Nick Moss, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Tommy Castro, , Mike Zito, Moreland & Arbuckle, Sean Costello, Al Kooper, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Joe Louis Walker, Candye Kane, Chris Duarte, Debbie Davies, Rod Piazza, Delta Highway, Sandy Mack, Quintus McCormick, Tinsley Ellis, Larry McCray, The Insomniacs, Jimmy Dawkins, Kenny Wayne, Lil’ Ed, Mississippi Heat, Tail Dragger, Henry Gray, , Mac Arnold, Lil' Dave Thompson, Marquise Knox, Shirley Johnson, Steve Guyger, Dennis Gruenling, Tomcat Courtney, Buck69, The Muggs, Eddy Clearwater, Boo Boo Davis, Stoney Curtis Band, Todd Wolf, Delaney Bramlett (Delaney, Bonnie & Friends), Aunt Kizzy's Boyz, Mark Knoll Band, Big George Jackson, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) & many more.” Visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a1blues-com/id264722090 for more details.

Instrumental Songwriting - Arrangements & Tribute Songs As part of the Shuffle King Original Blues Harmonica Instrumental Songwriting Contest I’ve recorded two free lessons to non-subscribers of the site. These videos cover the thought process behind writing an original instrumental based on another harmonica player’s work(s); and how to turn a non-harmonica song into a blues harmonica instrumental (’s “Walter’s Boogie” is a good example of this… originally “Tommy Dorsey’s Boogie Woogie”). To view these videos (again, you don’t have to be a member of the site to watch) visit http://www.bluesharmonica.com/shuffle_king_contest

YouTube Rod Piazza “Too Young to Have Fun” – It doesn’t get much more vintage than this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_2Uyu2g4Lw&feature=player_embedded

HarmonicaSessions.com Reminder Check out the current free articles by Kinya Pollard, Winslow Yerxa, Fritz Hasenpusch and me at http://www.harmonicasessions.com/

TRANSCRIPTION OF THE MONTH This month we’ll study ’s blues harmonica standard “Baby .” Experienced players should be familiar with it because it’s commonly requested on the bandstand (other musicians like to play it). It’s also a good study choice for those fairly new to bending (it’s obtainable). Transcription is at the end of this newsletter. 1st Chorus - ABC Chorus Form Most of the licks played use a long pickup (around three and half beats); listen carefully to where to enter for each lick. Note that the first note played (4 draw) is not played in a specific time—just hold that sucker until you feel like moving on. Time is established after the 4 draw. Listen carefully to how low Slim Harpo bends the 3 draw in this song. If you don’t bend the 3

4 draw it will sound too major. If you bend the 3 draw down an exact half step it will sound too dark. Split the difference and play a quartertone bend for the right feel (between the notes A and A-flat on the B-flat harmonica).

2nd Chorus - A B/A C Chorus Form The second chorus brings another highly memorable line (nice use of repetition). Players commonly slap the notes played in the first eight measures or play them as octaves.

Solo: 1st Chorus - ABC Chorus Form Nice repetitive use of the 2 draw whole step bend here (2”) presented with the Wa Wa. Even though you see the 2” notated three times in the open of the solo, make note that this is played by holding the 2” for three beats while your hand opens and closes for the Wa Wa to produce the three distinct notes.

Solo: 2nd Chorus - A B/A C Chorus Form This is basically a repeat of the second chorus. Note the use of the open and closed hand in measure eight.

Playing with a Band (What to Say) 1) “F” 2) “Baby Scratch My Back” This is song is famous enough to just say the name of the song. If a player is not familiar with the song, say that “it’s a swamp groove and watch me for when to come in on the I (one).”

Special Note: The first note (4 draw) is not played in time—just hold it until you feel like moving on— time is established with the notes following the 4 draw. The band enters on your 2 draw—nod to the band as you play this 2 draw to indicate to the band that this is where they’re to come in.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

Paul Oscher "Bet On The Blues" (Ltd Edition) on Blues Fidelity Label http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=18785

Forrest City Joe & Polka Dot Slim "Downhome Delta Harmonica" Delta Cat Label http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=18769

Prado Igor & Flavio Giumaraes "The Blues Follow Me" Chico Blues Label http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=18334

More to come in future issues!

Best Regards, David Barrett

The Future of Blues Harmonica Education IS HERE! www.BluesHarmonica.com

President, Harmonica Masterclass Co. "Leader in Blues Harmonica Education" www.harmonicamasterclass.com

Founder/Director, School of the Blues

5 www.schooloftheblues.com

Author, Mel Bay Publications & Blues Revue Magazine www.harmonicamasterclass.com/books.htm & www.bluesrevue.com

Plays Hohner Harmonicas & MegaTone Harmonica Amplifiers www.hohnerusa.com & www.megatoneamps.com

Thanks to Diane Smith for proofreading!

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