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Home , Alan Glen, Annie Raines, Bob Corritore, Carey Bell, Gary Primich, Jason Ricci

December 2010 Newsletter

Leader in Education

WHAT'S NEW! UK/Germany Tour Thanks to all of the players, organizers, sponsors and students I met and worked with on this year’s trip to Europe. In England thanks to Roger Trobridge and the rest of the NHL (National Harmonica League) team, Brendan and Laura Power, Mick Kinsella, Lee Sankey, Ben Hewlett, Ricky Cool, Alan Glen and the Barcodes, Rachelle Plas, Jon Vaughan, Oliviar Ker Ourio, Frank Semus, and everyone else I met on this wonderful trip to the UK. In Germany thanks to Steve Baker, the Town of Trossingen (Frank, Wolfgang and Annette), Hohner , Michael Timer, Klaus Stetter, Joe Filisko, Robert Koch, Olivier Ker Ourio, Eric Noden, Gaz, Christian Rannenberg, Steve Mushrush, Frank Dappa, and all the others I met on this trip to Trossingen. See you next year!

Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowouts For those on the West Coast, or for those who may want to fly out for a memorable weekend, ’s Blues Harmonica Blowouts are back in town January of next year. Artists for this year are: , Sugar Blue, , Carlos Del Junco and Mark Hummel. For more information and to check which artists will be at each venue visit: http://markhummel.com/calendar.html

Harmonica Repairs by Sissi Jones Here’s a note from harmonica repairwoman Sissi Jones, “I wanted you all to know that I am retiring from Hohner November 18th, 2010. This ends 34 years with Hohner, which began in 1977 in New York when Mr. Frank Hohner asked me to join the company. Working from the Richmond, VA office for 28 years, Customer Service has always been my number one priority. I have really enjoyed interfacing with the many fabulous and keeping their instruments in top condition. Having recently remarried, I will be leaving Hohner to relocate with my husband in Leonardtown, Maryland. Hohner has been my extended family all these years, and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work there. Now, I begin a new endeavor as the owner of HarmoniCare, where I will continue to provide service and care to my customers. For details and information, please contact me. [email protected] / Phone: 301- 475-5522.” Good luck Sissi!

1 BLUESHARMONICA.COM - WHAT'S NEW! King/Queen of the Chug! Entries for the competition are now in and are being judged as you read this newsletter by Joe Filisko, Peter “Madcat” Ruth, Tom Ball and me. Visit http://www.bluesharmonica.com/share/king-of-the-chug to listen to the entries. Below are the prizes for the competition.

- 1st Place: One-of-a-kind T-Shirt for the winner that says “King/Queen of the Chug”; set of 7 Hohner Marine Deluxe Harmonicas in matching case; signed certificate by judges

- 2nd Place: Set of 7 Hohner Big River Harmonicas in matching case; signed certificate by judges

- 3rd Place: Hohner harmonica case and History of the Blues Harmonica Concert 2xCD Set; signed certificate by judges

Performance Training Join me and a group of the most experienced harmonica-backing blues musicians on the planet for a lesson on Grooves. Our band for this lesson is (), RW Grigsby (bass) and Marty Dodson (drums). In this study we cover all the common grooves played in blues: Shuffle, Double Shuffle, T-Bone Shuffle, Shuffle, Backwards Shuffle, Shuffle, Floater (Shuffle), Box (Shuffle), Lump (Shuffle), Flat Tire, Swing, Two Beat, Mojo Beat (Two Beat), Train Beat (Two Beat), Rock Beat, Funk, Tramp, Slow Blues, Rhumba, Modal, and more! Understanding the names of grooves and how to explain each instrument's role is paramount in being a good bandleader, accompanist and song writer.

New Contributor Videos Beginning student Joe Tartaglia continues his lessons with me and performs his first song on the bandstand at a student concert. Contributor Aki Kumar’s latest submission shows behind-the-scenes performance footage of the San Jose Harmonica Masterclass Workshop. Bay Area blues harmonica legend Gary Smith shares the technique of “procession of notes” and “masking the harp.” International touring artist Mark Hummel shows how to build a set list and how to find other like-minded musicians to play with.

Bill Bucko Interview, Hohner Diatonic Service Tech Join me for an informative interview with Bill Bucko, the diatonic harmonica service technician for Hohner Harmonicas. In this interview we cover what a normal day at the Hohner Service Center looks like, common repairs and how to care for your diatonic harmonicas.

Interview with Harp Mic Tech Dennis Oellig Join me for an interview with harp mic repairman and customizer Dennis Oellig. This lesson is not up as of yet... coming soon!

Harp Tech Studies with The HarpSmith Kinya Pollard I’m proud to announce a new series for the website on harp tech studies with leading harmonica tech author Kinya Pollard, aka the HarpSmith. This series starts off with the differences between harmonica models and all of the cool material options (combs, cover plates, etc.) available to those who want to

2 customize their harmonicas. The series will then go into maintenance, tuning, gapping, reed replacement, and much more over time. This lesson is not up as of yet... coming soon!

Jimi Lee Interview Jimi Lee grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. After relocating to Hawaii, he spent 12 years captivating audiences from around the world and was voted Best In the State by the Hawaiian Blues Society. He now resides in Austin, where the Austin Blues Society awarded him First Place in the Solo/Duo category at the Heart O’ Texas Blues Challenge 2008, and was first to represent Austin at the Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge 2009 in Memphis. Jimi Lee won in Austin again this year and made Austinites proud when he won the 2010 International Blues Challenge Semi-Finals in Memphis. He competed at the Finals as one of the top eight Solo/Duo acts in the world. Jimi was awarded First Place in Blues in 2008 by the Austin Group for his song “Pocket Full of Soul.” This followed his 2006 win with “Laundromat” and his 2005 win with “Where Are You Tonight.” The 2005 contest was held by Austin Group and Nashville Songwriters Association International. He went on to win even more that year with a First Place in the Pop category for “I Wanna Kiss You So Bad”, and Third Place in Blues Rock with “Cheap Thrills”. The Austin Chapter of the Harmonica Organization of Texas declared Jimi Lee “one of the best in the world” at playing harmonica in the rack and guitar simultaneously.” The 2008 spring issue of Harmonica Happenings magazine featured Jimi in an article entitled “Rack ‘Em Up! Playing Harp In A Neck Rack: A Q&A With Jimi Lee.” “Jimi is part of the tradition”, say the organizers of the SPAH (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica) convention, where he has performed every year since his first appearance in 2003. He travels the country as harmonica and guitar clinician; and shares endorsements for Seydel Harmonicas with , and Mark Hummel. Over the years, Jimi has ignited stages alongside giants such as , Bobby Blue Bland, , Willie Nelson, Clarence Clemons, Stephen Stills, Coco Montoya, , Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, , Mark Hummel, , and Chicago’s “shuffle master” . Jimi is well known for his stellar guitar, vocals and rack harmonica playing. Be sure not to miss my discussions with him on rack-playing and music theory. The interview was recorded in Minneapolis, Minnesota August of 2010. This lesson is not up as of yet... coming soon!

Complete Lesson List Visit www.bluesharmonica.com/lesson-list.com for a complete listing of lessons on the website... there are now over 1,300 lesson videos!

3 MONTHLY INTERNET FIND Live at Steve Baker’s Harmonica Masters Workshops 2010 Below is my set from the Saturday evening concert. Thanks to Eddy Vanschepdael for shooting this footage.

“Blow! Blow! Blow!” is a swing in F played on the B-flat Harmonica in 2nd Position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4LQdYS5lo8 "Highway 59" is a funky minor tune in A played on the G Harmonica in 3rd Position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-0Jgw478W4

"Left Overs" is in C and played on the Low-F Harmonica in 2nd Position to start and then goes to 3rd Position on the B-flat Harmonica. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-buAX5XNhKg

"The Tub" is in G and played on the G Harmonica in 1st Position to start and then goes to 2nd Position on the C Harmonica at 2:45. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxHiJTRl3wg

"Dimples" is in Fm and is played on the B-flat Harmonica in 2nd Position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhhnMWEEhiQ

"I Love You More Everyday" is in D and is played on the G Harmonica in 2nd Position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwfoRcavEDU

"Feelin' for the Blues" is in A and is played on the G Harmonica in 3rd Position, D Harmonica in 2nd Position and A Harmonica in 1st Position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfnTUu6fhKw

"Unchain My Heart" is in Am and is played on the G Harmonica in 3rd Position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBimv4Uzy-c

“Butter Strut” is in G and is played on the C Harmonica in 2nd Position http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QXCJFbBK7o

“Matchstick” is in E and is played on the A Harmonica in 2nd Position http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDr9wLIcDD0

Amanda’s Roller Coaster An amazing musical event happened in October at Bob Corritore’s Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona called “Amanda’s Roller Coaster.” The Who’s-Who of the harmonica and blues world was there and there’s tons of video footage of it! Search “Amanda’s Roller Coaster” on YouTube or click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Amanda’s+Roller+Coaster&aq=f

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

Blues Revue Magazine Reminder Check out my current article “Right on the Number” in Blues Revue Magazine.

4 TRANSCRIPTION OF THE MONTH This month we’ll look at ’s 1953 recording of “Easy.” The transcription is at the end of this newsletter.

General Comments This song is famous for multiple reasons. The song is an instrumental version of Ivory Joe Hunter’s popular 1949 tune “When I Lost My Baby I Almost Lost My Mind.” This is a great example of Horton’s use of a popular song of the day for writing an instrumental (an idea to be repeated throughout his career). Note the great use of repetition within the song. The first three choruses are the same, with slight variation. He deviates in the fourth chorus and returns back to the melody for the fifth chorus. This is a very melodic song and Big Walter’s great use of textures makes it a blues masterpiece.

His throat tremolo plays a very important role in the intense presentation of the song. The throat tremolo is where you use the vocal chords in a light coughing fashion to create rhythmic variations in volume. (A vibrato is where the pitch fluctuates—he’s not using a vibrato.) Most players (including myself) use a slower throat tremolo than Horton is using here. Work on speeding up your tremolo to match his intense sound (it will take time) if that's what you're looking for. 1st Chorus - ABC Chorus Form This first chorus presents the main melody. There’s nothing difficult here except for mimicking his tremolo. Take extra time working on the turnaround (measures 11 through 12). Each turnaround will be slightly different, making them easy to mix up when performing. For advanced players, focus on matching his tone and presentation… this is not an easy task!

2nd Chorus - ABC Chorus Form Note the use of half step bend pickups for variation. Note that on the third measure we’re playing a shake for the 3 draw/4 draw instead of a chord. Drop your volume quickly enough to prepare for the triplet pickup to the IV7 Chord. Note the new turnaround (this is an often-used turnaround and is worthwhile memorizing).

3rd Chorus - ABC Chorus Form We now present the main theme with shakes. You can omit the triplet going into measure three if you find it hard to play among the shakes (most newer students do). On the second beat of measure three he plays a 5 blow instead of a 5 blow shake. You may wish to play that as a shake as well to keep the shakes going (this will be easier and smoother than what he plays). Note the rhythm at the turnaround.

4th Chorus - A B/A1 C Chorus Form This is where Walter starts kickin’ some butt. Bending control and good tone are the key thoughts here. Focus on making your bends sound strong without an airy quality. If your bends sound airy you’ll need to experiment to find the best position of the tongue. Note the quartertones used in the third measure on the 3 draw. Don’t bend the 3 draw down too much. But note that the 3 draw is at the half step bend (not the quartertone) on measure six. On the IV7 Chord we’ll usually play the 3 draw bent exactly to the half step; whereas on the I7 Chord we bend it only down a quartertone. When you get back to the I7 chord in measure seven go back to using the 3 draw quartertone. Measure nine brings the chorus back to the repetitive melody.

5th Chorus - ABC Chorus Form You’ll now play the melody in shakes for the first eight measures. Note the interesting choice of notes in the shake for the second line (measures five through eight). Usually the bottom note caries the melody in 5 the shake... in this section it switches to the top note to keep the shake line from becoming too dissonant with the use of the 7+ in the shake.

Note the missing 2 at the end of measure ten; this is a nice rhythmic change to set up the ending lick.

Final Comments This deceptively simple song is a real winner at jams for its focused melody. You can stretch out and improvise more in the body of the song if you wish.

What to Tell the Band Key: F Groove: Shuffle Start: From the I (One Chord)

Special Note: This song is commonly played in two ways… 1) Bass or guitar playing the bass line only, and drummer using brushes to play the snare on the beat and hi-hat on the backbeat (beats two and four). 2) Full band, but have them play very mellow.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING With Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowouts right around the corner I wanted to highlight some of the best live recordings on the market... ones right from the blowouts themselves. Below are the four 2xCDs sets from these shows.

Blues Harp Meltdown Volume 1 (2cds) Disk 1 - 1. You Messed Up - RJ Mischo 2. Sleepin' In The Ground - RJ Mischo 3. Gary Smith Intro - Mark Hummel 4. You're So Fine - Gary Smith 5. Gary Smith Comments - Gary Smith 6. Elevate Me Mama - Gary Smith 7. Minor Mambo Intro - Gary Smith 8. Minor Mambo - Gary Smith 9. Mark Hummel Intro 10. They Don't Want Me To Rock - Mark Hummel 11. Can't Judge Nobody - Mark Hummel 12. Humblebug - Mark Hummel / Disk 2 - 1. Billy Branch Intro - Mark Hummel 2. Billy's Boogie 3. Eyesight To The Blind - Billy Branch 4. Blues Keep Following Me Around - Billy Branch 5. Intro - Mark Hummel 6. Helsinki Laundromat Blues - James Harman 7. Harman's Comments 8. Back Door Rhumba - James Harman 9. Rick Estrin Intro - Mark Hummel 10. Rick Estrin's Comments 11. Your Gonna Need My Help - Rick Estrin 12. Estrin's Rap 13. Work With Me - Rick Estrin 14. Kim Wilson Intro - Mark Hummel 15. Don't Lose Your Eye - Kim Wilson 16. Just A Dream - Kim Wilson http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=3125

Blues Harp Meltdown Volume 2 (2cds) - EAST MEETS WEST Disc 1 - 1. Telephone Blues (R.J. Mischo) 2. Moe's Blues (R.J. Mischo) [Inst.] 3. You Can't Hurt Me No More (Gary Smith) 4. Story Telling Woman (Gary Smith) 5. It Ain't Right (Gary Smith) 6. Intro. 7. All These Blues (Paris Slim) 8. Intro. 9. Seven Nights To Rock (Mark Hummel) 10. I'm Gone (Mark Hummel) 11. Love Shock (Mark Hummel) 12. Nothing But The Devil () / Disc 2 - 1. Intro. 2. Even Good Women Have Bad Days (Annie Raines) 3. Little Dog (Annie Raines) 4. Annie's Rocker [Inst.] (Annie Raines) 5. Intro. 6. Everything's Gonna Be All Right () 7. Mojo Boogie (Johnny Dyer) 8. Long Distance Call (Johnny Dyer) 9. Blow Wind Blow (Mark Hummel) 10. Intro. 11. Real Gone Lover () 12. Can't Stand You When You're Drinking (Gary Primich) 13. Playgirl (Gary Primich) 14. Intro. 15. Ain't She Trouble (Gary Primich) 16. Goodye 17. Goodbye Little Girl (Gary Primich) http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=372

6 Blues Harp Meltdown Volume 3 (2cds) Disc 1 - 1. Mark Hummel Introduction 2. Mark Hummel Where Y'at 3. Mark Hummel City Livin' 4. Mark Hummel My Kind Of Baby 5. Mark Hummel Rollercoaster 6. Steve Freund My Little Playhouse 7. Steve Freund Done You Wrong 8. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith Hoodoo Man Blues 9. Cephas & Wiggins Piedmont Blues Jam 10. Cephas & Wiggins Big Boss Man 11. Cephas & Wiggins Going To The River 12. Cephas & Wigginss Walkin' Blues 13. Cephas & Wiggins Broke And Hungry / Disc 2 - 14. Mark Hummel Introduction 15. Dirty Shame 16. Carey Bell It Ain't Right 17. Carey Bell I Shudda Did 18. Carey Bell When I Get Drunk 19. Carey Bell I'm Ready 20. Carey Bell Too Bad, Too Bad 21. Carey Bell One Day 22. Instrumental Alley Rock 23. Lazy Lester Blues Stop Knocking 24. Lazy Lester Bloodstains On The Wall 25. Lazy Lester Nothing In This World 26. Lazy Lester Raining In My Heart 27. Lazy Lester Jambalaya 28. Lazy Lester Sugar Coated Love 29. Mark Hummel Hummel's Sign Off http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=11906

Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowouts - (2CDS) 1993-2007 (Previously unreleased tracks) Disc 1 - 1. Harpo-Ventilating - Mark Hummel 2. In A Sentimental Mood - 3. Pontiac Blues - 4.You're Sweet - Johnny Dyer 5. Lonesome Bedroom Blues - William Clarke 6. Blues And Trouble - Paul DeLay 7. I Got To Go - Carey Bell 8. Extra Napkins - James Harman 9. I Done Quit Getting Sloppy Drunk - 10.Stretch My Money - William Clarke / Disc 2 - 11. Gettin' Out Of Town - Rick Estrin 12. Sugar Gal - 13. Can't Stand Your Evil Ways - Paul deLay 14. Sugar Coated Love - Lazy Lester 15. Mean Old Frisco - Paul DeLay 16. Hard Hearted Woman - Mark Hummel 17. High Temperature - Magic Dick 18. Sweet Home Chicago - Sam Myers 19. Lee's Blues - Lee Oskar 20. Chrome Jumpin' - William Clarke 21. Summertime - Mark Hummel http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=15933

A final quick note that Lynwood Slim just released a new CD with the Igor Prado Band called “Brazilian Kicks!!” on Deltagroove http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=18039

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. www.harmonicamasterclass.com

Founder/Director, School of the Blues www.schooloftheBlues.com

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

------Thanks to Diane Smith for proofreading! ------

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