This workshop will equip you with the tools to become a stellar craftsman of the Diatonic Harmonica!
- You will learn to “control the bends” and treat them just like another note in your quiver of cool harmonica notes available.
- Tone on a harmonica has nothing to do with what “brand” and model you play. It has to do with breath control, your intention, and how deliver your musical message.
- We’ll cover amps, microphones, and effect pedals used with good effect for all styles of harmonica playing.
Remember: It’s not the gear you play through, it’s having the knowledge to use it appropriately! - We’ll discuss “fitting in” with the band you play in. Lay back until it’s your time to shine, THEN SHINE!
- We will teach you about “overblows” on the diatonic harmonica.
If you are an intermediate/ advanced harmonica player, you already know how to “bend” a note in second position.
Are you aware of the draw bends available?
- Hole 1 draw: one 1/2 step bend
- Hole 2 draw: two 1/2 step bends
- Hole 3 draw: three 1/2 step bends
- Hole 4 draw: one 1/2 step bend
- and there are more…
- Tone has NOTHING to do with which brand and model of harmonica you’re playing, which microphone you’re using, or which amp you’re playing through…
- It’s about moving air through the instrument in an intentional way to convey the emotion that you are projecting to your audience.
- I will demonstrate the above and show you how to have an emotional impact on your audience
- I will bring a “Modeling Amp” and my two favorite pedals to the workshop to for folks to play through to help you make informed decisions about buying equipment for “Your Style” of music.
- I will also bring my favorite microphone for use with amplifiers and directly into PA systems.
A number of years ago, I witnessed John Nemeth play at a Boise Blues Society jam session. He used a a standard vocal mic, with no effects or fancy pedals and HE KILLED IT! No fancy vintage amps, no special microphone, and no effects pedals. He just walked up to the microphone, sang, and played his harmonica with INTENTION!
His tone came from within. He never even took the SM-58 off the stand! He just played and sang.
Fast forward to 2000 and my first and only “paid” lesson
Norton Buffalo was at Yellow Pine in 2000. (Norton was the second-most recorded studio harmonica player in the world and keyboard player / back-up vocalist for the Steve Miller Band from it’s inception until his death.)
He gave a group harmonica workshop, which I attended, and at the end of the workshop he offered five one-on-one lessons for $50 per hour.
I asked later if he had any openings for the private sessions. He replied that no one had reserved a time slot, so I bought all five!
He ruined my life for about 8 weeks! I spent hundreds of hours un-learning all of my bad habits. In the end, I became a “professional” level harmonica entertainer and have released four instrumental albums, one of which was the number 1 selling Jazz album at MP3.com in2001!