Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Best Practices?
Best Practices?
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

CoachT
3 posts
Dec 20, 2011
2:50 PM
Hello again,
My next question is one that asks you to share your favorite technique, riff, etc. to practice, and how do you practice it? I don't have much to offer, that is why I am asking, but I could possibly stimulate some productive conversation. Again, Thank you for your inputs and insights. This is a great forum. I feel as if I am walking among Kings.
FMWoodeye
151 posts
Dec 20, 2011
3:11 PM
Well, I would say that a very important component in my development to the virtuoso level was learning the blues scale. Learn it up, and learn it down. Once you have done that, learn to play it in a continuous loop. I also extended it to start on the 1 draw, the 2 full-step bend and on from there. Learn to play it in a continuous loop, AND the last step is to learn to jump in at any point and play that loop, that is, to start the loop at any point in the scale. If you get stuck you can ride that loop to wherever you want to be. Hey...ride the loop. It sounds like a ride at Disneyland. But I know whenever Howard Levy or Jason Ricci call me, I tell them to remember the loop.
hvyj
2023 posts
Dec 20, 2011
6:27 PM
You know lately I've been taking heads, melodies and hooks from tunes that i play regularly and I've been practicing doing them perfectly in the key of the tune. And then in all 12 other keys on all 12 different harps. It really gets me better refined at adjusting my attack and technique going from harp to harp. I mean, taking a head you play on an Eb harp and then playing it perfectly on a G harp can be an adventure, but it's really helpful for evening out my technique.

I don't do this all the time. I don't know if it's the best practice, it's just something I've been working on lately.

Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2011 6:28 PM
boris_plotnikov
669 posts
Dec 20, 2011
10:53 PM
For warming up and for being ready to gig I always practice 123 chord blow-draw patterns and scales (at least C, G and Dm scales) by broken 3rd and 4th.
----------
Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS