tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361390232012-01-30T10:58:22.371-08:00One man's harmonica-centric obsessions.Danenoreply@blogger.comBlogger901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-46164152300771148252012-01-23T11:25:00.000-08:002012-01-26T15:53:17.082-08:00

Got this from the Jazz Advice blog Item #10 of 20: Practicing is about notes and rhythms, improvising is about life The things you do in the practice room are important for your playing. Everyone tells you to listen and to transcribe and this is definitely the path to getting better. These practice habits will give you technique and knowledge, but you still need to have something personal to

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-78695462891297714602011-11-27T13:46:00.000-08:002011-11-27T13:47:21.405-08:00

I'm working more on theory, and practicing my chromatic harmonica more lately. I was recently turned on to this website, and the first post I read was on How to be MORE Mediocre - obviously a "What NOT To Do" article, and very insightful.

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-32321136371217514402011-08-01T22:40:00.000-07:002011-08-30T22:41:10.053-07:00

A master at his craft. No finer Blues music in the world, ever, for my money. Clarke and Alex Schultz tear it up on this song. Both of them had such great improvisational ideas!

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-15728166150483786752011-07-27T09:32:00.000-07:002011-07-27T09:32:31.956-07:00

Ask me about this if you see me with it...

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-30852416312572728262010-12-15T22:27:00.000-08:002010-12-15T22:27:50.329-08:00

Harmonica Mastery Tools is the sub-title of Richard Sleigh's website. If you play harmonica and haven't heard of Richard: where have you been? Richard is an expert harmonica technician, producing some of the most coveted customized diatonic harmonicas anywhere. He's an amazing musician, playing both harmonica and guitar - and his harmonica skills are incredible - awesome tone, flawless technique

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-55807657628164073562010-12-15T22:20:00.000-08:002011-03-07T22:19:39.829-08:00

'Nuff said:

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-32185153905518978032010-11-13T12:53:00.000-08:002010-11-13T12:58:44.639-08:00

What do iPhone apps have to do with harmonicas? Well, they're both hand-held, compact...OK seriously, I've found these apps to be pretty handy & thought you might, too. Let me preface this by saying first: I'm not going to give you a thorough review of these apps. They're all in the app store. Read the reviews, try the free ones, decide for yourself. I just want to make you aware of some of the

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-46024141624294248732010-09-20T11:00:00.000-07:002010-09-20T11:49:04.140-07:00

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-6226534657624362492010-05-28T21:51:00.000-07:002010-06-12T15:08:30.107-07:00

...so little space! If you don't know who Kim Wilson is, you need to change your temporal address to the current millennium. If you don't know who Nathan James is, take notes, because he's the best damn traditional blues guitar player above ground, period. These videos will be precious historic documents someday, showing Nathan as he is today - a great talent and still with more growing to do

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-52763576013434717632010-05-27T16:58:00.000-07:002010-05-27T17:30:32.540-07:00

Here's a very cool duet arrangement of Hazmat Modine's "Yesterday Morning" by Bill Barrett & Kevin Marin. I'd never heard of Kevin before seeing this video (& I thought I knew who most ALL of the good harmonica players were!). Kevin does a great job on this and another piece with Barrett. I'm going to be watching this dude to steal what I can from him! ;-)Hazmat Modine is the coolest little big

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-84253861820640556802010-05-26T18:08:00.000-07:002010-05-26T18:16:22.807-07:00

If you don't know about Bill Barrett, watch this video and then go and research about him on YouTube and his website. Bill plays Avant-Punk-Jazz music on a specially tuned Chromatic harmonica (it's a Hohner CX-12 Tenor/Bebop for you harmonica geeks). The man is an absolute virtuoso. Learn all you can about his music - it'll make you a better player, I bet.

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-4617376422823012532010-05-21T13:20:00.001-07:002010-05-22T08:13:55.948-07:00

I made a couple of adds & edits to the site recently; a new Friends listing over on the right includes some of my favorite local musicians and/or bands. Good listening material over there for you San Diegans (& others, too!).Also updated is the Recommended Harmonica list of harmonica players you might not know about (but should).

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-29028484519517674162010-05-21T12:05:00.000-07:002010-05-21T12:14:50.470-07:00

Dude is just plain BONKERS...

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-56415768767176535402010-05-20T19:54:00.000-07:002010-05-21T12:14:02.619-07:00

Wow. 'Nuff said.

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-25276207078259896622010-04-17T13:02:00.000-07:002010-04-17T13:14:14.112-07:00

I just reworked my sites a little because Blogger has added the ability to create PAGES in a blog. Pages are static pages that always feature the same content rather than updating with the latest post. Pretty cool for longer articles, "about" pages, etc. Anyway, there's a widget over yonder on the right linking to my pages, AND I'll link them here for you as well:101+ ways to sound better playing

Danenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-5547545988047245932010-04-02T23:35:00.000-07:002010-05-16T20:20:24.418-07:00

Friends, here, for no particular reason, in no particular order are a number of Harmonica-related links for you to peruse:Coast to Coast MusicHarp-LOverBlow.comHarp-On!The Tremelo147 Harmonica LinksThe Diatonic Harmonica ReferenceBlues-Harp TABSJT-30.comHarmonica BoogieHarp AmpsBass Harmonica 101Pat Missin...enjoy!

Chromatonichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678688509113255586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-2906906614933405782010-03-30T18:10:00.000-07:002010-03-30T19:44:27.535-07:00

Back in February, I got to play with Harry & Nancy Mestyanek of Folding Mister Lincoln (a fantastic San Diego band that plays beautiful original music) for their monthly Rebecca's show. They're fine folks, friends, great musicians and I had a complete blast playing with them for Rebecca's Sunday Brunch crowd. During the morning, I played a little solo set. San Diego Videographer and

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-50787902367500087862010-02-10T22:46:00.000-08:002010-03-30T20:18:55.237-07:00

I was fortunate to be invited to participate in the Hearts for Haiti benefit at The Belly Up this past February 15th.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-6716595530343299412010-01-21T20:39:00.001-08:002010-01-21T20:49:11.855-08:00

I want to tell you about a CD by my friends Tim Atkins and Andre Perault, The Baja Blues Boys.In a word: Recommended!The disc features outstanding production by Scott Blinn, flawless performances by Tim, Andre and crew, and great original, Folksy Blues music. Tim and Andre have been playing together for a long time, and it shows (I think I first heard them better than 10 years ago). Gone Away,

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-2919488995133051012010-01-01T09:26:00.000-08:002010-01-09T23:38:46.890-08:00

I missed a really good show here in town; Kim Wilson, Nathan James, and Billy Flynn at The New Village Arts Theater on Dec. 13, 2009.Man, what a way to finish up the year!Local Bluesman Nathan James is easily my favorite living guitar player. Kim Wilson is the undisputed master of Blues Harmonica.Billy Flynn has been laying it down for decades and often accompanies Kim Wilson.Some of these songs

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-28864603437830419262009-12-06T11:18:00.000-08:002009-12-06T11:22:36.098-08:00

He's either very clever or very disturbed (maybe both?). Either way, Son of Dave's music is very catchy and pretty bluesy to boot. Scroll down his page to find "Bonkers".I'd really like to try the looping thing he does, in spite of the fact that I'm a little afraid it might make me a little loopy like S.o.D....

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-2669227697566178972009-06-28T09:40:00.000-07:002009-06-28T09:58:10.397-07:00

If you're not familiar with Dennis Gruenling, I suggest you check him out - he's worth listening to. In fact, Dennis is a real student of the genre - virtually a blues historian.The reason I'm posting these interviews here is because of a crucial point Dennis makes:You have to listen to what the OBGs (Original Blues Guys) listened to if you're going to really understand the music. Listen to too

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-28829627524493778962009-05-17T09:22:00.000-07:002009-05-17T09:59:16.990-07:00

One of the most influential (to those in the know) contemporary harmonica players ever was William Clarke. Now, guys like the Walters and the Sonny Boys (and others) came before him and really laid the foundation for Clarke to build upon, but William Clarke took what they created (a unique roll within the Blues for my favorite instrument) and built upon it in a new way that connected the Blues

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-37772973619103649002009-04-19T00:24:00.000-07:002009-05-02T09:20:13.583-07:00

My friend Chris Clarke let me play a few tunes with his incredible band Plow up in Julian this evening & I had so much fun. Although their Old-Time & Bluegrass roots are very apparent, Chris, John, David and Doug go FAR beyond their roots in performance. They blend Jazz, Old Time (Americana), add some original ideas, mix it all up and come up with an eclectic and pleasurable musical stew that

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-72718839025658632792009-04-13T10:54:00.001-07:002009-05-02T19:31:10.983-07:00

Set 1: Ityy Bitty Pretty One, Up On the Roof, Cissy StrutHip Hug Her

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-86592024742902824132009-04-10T19:29:00.000-07:002009-05-02T19:36:48.770-07:00

Check out this video by my friends Jack, Sandy, Terry & Art!Jack City Blues Band

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-14582787110027369642009-03-18T22:22:00.000-07:002009-03-22T23:09:51.312-07:00

I had the privilege to play a little benefit for the Lou Curtis Sound Library (an amazing collection of music!) with my my friend Allen Singer recently.There were a number of local entertainers there, including Sarah Petite, Tanya Rose's band, Plow, Patty Hall, and Robin Henkel, among others.Here's Allen and I playing "Stealin'"

Danenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-89551083680767940792009-03-17T23:11:00.000-07:002009-03-19T20:17:27.593-07:00

An older performance with Allen Singer, opening for Carolyn Hester.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-37113727629081007812009-03-01T23:11:00.000-08:002009-03-19T20:20:52.891-07:00

Adam Gussow really does a fine job on this tune!I'm not sure it can be done without those overblows (but I'm tryin').

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-70066816421949530562008-12-03T22:18:00.000-08:002009-03-18T22:27:39.074-07:00

Adam Gussow is the man. I was checking out his YouTube videos (I'm a subscriber & I watch EVERY ONE) and this one of Jimi lee just knocked me out. Definitely one of the all-time coolest solo harmonica/guitar performances I've seen. Check out Adam's YouTube stuff - he's worth the effort.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-53274925934633778322008-09-23T17:45:00.000-07:002009-03-18T22:28:44.177-07:00

It's said that one of the most important traits a drummer must posses is METER...that is consistent time; able to maintain a tempo with solid consistency.The METER displayed here is superb...

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-26708626169773951772008-09-18T18:03:00.000-07:002009-03-18T22:29:48.351-07:00

Now here are some REAL harmonica players!

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-43029370874643975822008-06-23T19:16:00.000-07:002009-09-22T10:26:23.380-07:00

I teach beginning and intermediate harmonica. With 30+ years of experience as a musician, I offer a casual and fun atmosphere for learning to play harmonica. Instruction is very light on theory and concentrates instead on practical skills with a focus on musicianship and learning how to play music with others. I specialize in teaching beginners and intermediate players who want to expedite the

Danenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-78435712678945165432008-03-16T19:51:00.000-07:002008-03-16T20:09:21.847-07:00

Well, I just got back from Chicago. Who did I hear, you ask? Not Buddy Guy, B. B. King, or even James Cotton.There are a few really great Harmonica players in Chicago, whom most of you have probably never heard of. Howard Levy & Joe Filisko come to mind. Although I admire Levy's skill, I don't care for his playing that much. Filisko is a very special musician and a historian of music, who I had

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-7909149820892851682008-03-06T07:23:00.000-08:002008-03-06T07:31:33.617-08:00

I just love tube amplification. The amps I play through are all tube-based. I'm learning (very slowly) a little more about tube amps & I hope to be able to do my own repairs & modifications eventually, and even to build a tube amp (or 2...or 20) someday. But there's some complicated stuff there.I'm even hunting around for 'audiophile' tube amps - you know, to listen to your tunes on at home. The

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-91302915471571149442008-02-02T23:25:00.000-08:002009-03-18T22:33:41.676-07:00

Damn...One more reason to be very humble.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-32113172343173880952008-01-01T23:11:00.001-08:002009-03-22T23:10:57.405-07:00

This alter-ego I have is an odd thing. One of my friends said to me "You ought to find a way to integrate some of this (music) into (your day job) - the folks at work have no idea what you're doing here". My answer was, "That's Bruce Wayne - this is Batman".What I meant was not that this music thing will save Gotham, or that I was scarred as a child by a horrific crime, so I'm pathologically

Danenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-70611380632487445342008-01-01T23:11:00.000-08:002009-03-19T20:19:19.518-07:00

My friend Dan Gage showed me this, and I've seen something like it described on Pat Missin's page. Pat describes some very esoteric techniques, but this one is useful to Blues players (- you players will want to try this if you don't already use it).Play a 3-7 octave (blow).Cover the 8-10 holes (I use my right cheek).Expose the 1 hole.Make sure your 'cup' is air tight.BLOWYou should hear the 1

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-38173033829301092562007-12-23T09:19:00.001-08:002009-03-18T22:31:57.807-07:00

I should probably be trying to promote myself exclusively here, but once in a while I stumble across something that just has to be shared.James Conway is a Chicagoan. He plays Celtic music and Blues. One of the instruments that he's incredibly proficient with is the harmonica, which is how I stumbled on his YouTube videos. In this video he just goes so far outside the box ('which box?' ANY box!)

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-31364112605530394392007-12-05T06:38:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:39:27.743-08:00

I visited Eugene Ryan's site recently, and before I could really dig into his site (which has been substantially updated since my last visit), I impulsively followed a link to this site about Jazz theory. I'm no music scholar, and while a lot of what I read in the sample chapter was interesting, much of it eluded me.The concept that I really dug was in the section about Copyright law. The author

Danenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-2519021545339654032007-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:002007-12-04T08:07:14.108-08:00

I've had occasion over the last couple of months to play with a number of different drummers. Funny how profoundly that rhythm can affect the sound & feel of the music. Ask 3 drummers to play a shuffle, a rumba, or a flat-tire, and you'll get 9 distinctly different feels, I guarantee. I suppose that's as it should be, really - if it wasn't, we'd all be more comfortable just playing with a drum

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-26487880720010630992007-12-04T06:37:00.000-08:002008-09-18T18:07:38.516-07:00

This morning I followed a link to this article in the News Observer, entitled Harmonica of Wonder to read an interesting, although not entirely accurate article about Stevie Wonder & the chromatic harmonica (funny how reporters almost never get it all exactly right).The comments offered by Rick Estrin at the end of the article are most profound.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-61982902797252441962007-11-29T22:20:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:40:15.601-08:00

Just before Thanksgiving, I received an email from Tim Woods (acquaintance, Musician, Open Mic Organizer), about a piano that needed a good home. I wrote a brief email to a stranger, told him about my kids, our love for music, my desire to have my kids learn to read and play music.Al, called me after about an hour and offered to give us his beautiful, virtually perfect 1967 Baldwin Acrosonic

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-39024453667454039522007-11-24T21:01:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:49:00.452-08:00

Once in a while I'll hear a song that just gets in my head and I can't shake it. It'll just go 'round and 'round...Albert King & Stevie Ray recorded a version of Match Box Blues that I really dig, even though I feel like I've been Stevie Ray Vaughan'd to death.(No disrespect intended - I really enjoyed his music - it's all the CLONES that have driven it into the ground for me - I just can't bear

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-54850288006477048162007-11-19T12:35:00.001-08:002007-11-19T12:43:22.813-08:00

Recording yourself can be a great way to check your progress. Recording rehearsals & practice is especially recommended. Of course, the risk is that watching yourself on video can feel like getting a large bucket of ice water thrown in your face. I'm glad I watched most of mine with no band-mates in attendance.Gotta go - I can hear that ol' woodshed callin' me.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-17826358535926766512007-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:002007-11-18T09:30:10.427-08:00

My campaign to play at reasonable volume levels continues.We played a gig last night that Jimmy had to leave early. He was with us for the first two sets, but had to leave for another engagement before the third set. The gig was fine, but everyone turned up when Jimmy left! I think they were trying to compensate for the lack of the second guitar. I had to ask them to turn down 3 times and still

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-12038990254535948032007-11-14T16:30:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:42:05.764-08:00

Since I've been playing the Blues...Now I spell it 'RAWK' when I hyphenate it with Blues as in 'Blues-RAWK'.I can identify & categorize a double-handful of different genres of Blues and I find it hard to state a clear preference for any one, although I'm also much more discriminating about what I consider Real Blues to be.I have a hard time understanding why some musicians just can't play Blues

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-69919414797126828392007-10-21T16:06:00.001-07:002009-02-22T10:43:30.460-08:00

The last 5-6 weeks have been a bloody crawl - I just found out I'm Diabetic, so a few lifestyle changes are gonna be in order. In the weeks leading up to the diagnosis, my blood sugar has been on a real rampage, and the effect of that has been the utter inability to mentally concentrate, and drastically impaired vision.Finally, I think the loopiness and blurry vision are mostly behind me, and I'm

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-11375557616785141062007-09-08T23:26:00.000-07:002009-03-18T22:35:33.335-07:00

It's been suggested that I'm fanatical about harmonicas. I have to admit I'm inclined to confirm that opinion. It's true that I almost always have at least one harmonica pretty close at hand, no matter where I am or what I'm doing.I first played a harmonica before I was in school, and I've had harmonicas more or less continuously since then. I'm always looking (and listening) for opportunities to

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-16999237755300217752007-08-31T22:15:00.000-07:002007-09-04T16:34:15.962-07:00

What is the exact opposite of a Hatchet Job?The San Diego Troubadour is a local monthly free newspaper about San Diego's roots music scene. They cover Americana to Jazz, Bluegrass to Blues, and everything rootsy in between. My friend Allen Singer occasionally writes reviews of local artists and CDs and such for them. (I should confess at this point that Allen & I have been performing together for

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-71789233772553348492007-08-18T08:22:00.001-07:002007-08-26T15:55:29.462-07:00

I was listening to some music yesterday, and had a virtual Flashback. I remembered seeing a harmonica-playing buddy at Etta's Place a couple of years ago. He was playing with some jammers and a dude he referred to reverentially as The Guru. My friend revered him, and tells me he's learned a LOT from "The Guru".The Guru had real great tone. The thing The Guru did that impressed me incredibly was,

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-67764314257060333472007-08-18T08:03:00.001-07:002007-08-20T17:37:54.362-07:00

Just got one of the new Fender Champion 600 amps. Man, it's got some grind. It also has a ton of bottom end (considering it carries a 6" speaker). I'll be A/B-ing it with the Valve Jr through all my different speaker set-ups to find out how it sounds over the next few days. I already prefer the way it responds to the Franken-mic, so that's a plus.I'm really fond of little amps!UPDATE 8/20 - the

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-40342646693770468232007-08-08T21:37:00.000-07:002009-02-22T10:46:33.290-08:00

It's been some time since I've posted about my Epiphone Valve Junior - in light of the fact that I've been living with it for half a year, I think an update is warranted.I first gushed about this little diamond-in-the-rough in this blog, in a post entitled Reward. Since then, I've drug that little monster all over town. I mentioned that I built a 2 x 8 cab to haul around. That cab is fine for the

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-7228513677348178682007-07-27T23:24:00.000-07:002007-07-27T23:49:28.837-07:00

I apologize that it's been so long since I posted regularly here. I'll try to get back in the swing...Seems like musicians are among the lowest-paid workers there are. The time we put into rehearsal... ...entirely unpaid. The time we put into...Loading our gear into the truckUnloading the gear from the truckSetting the gear up on stageKnocking down the gear after the gig & loading back into the

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-24449312247324598862007-05-23T18:24:00.000-07:002007-05-23T18:54:52.809-07:00

I've been meaning to do this since heard the news of his untimely death in early March of this year. If you haven't heard the man play and sing, and you enjoy your Blues with heaping helping of R&B, please visit his website and order at least one of his CDs - you won't be disappointed.I'll eventually work the music out for this tribute, and perform it every chance I get. If you're familiar with

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-13512453225671272012007-04-17T23:30:00.000-07:002009-02-22T17:10:05.195-08:00

I was browsing Chet Cannon's Good Blues Update recently and followed a link to this Guitar Player Magazine article entitled 99 Ways to Play Better.Inspired, I decided to write a 'translated' version for harmonica players. Please keep in mind these are intended as practice strategies to 'open things up' for you. Not every strategy will work for every player, and some strategies may seem pretty

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-75341767197216672332007-04-08T12:23:00.001-07:002007-04-08T12:40:47.335-07:00

I always enjoy Spring Harp Fest,the annual harmonica-centric concert-for-charity that is presented by my friends Budd Willis, "Harmonica John" Frazer, and Chet Cannon. It's a lot of good fun, features some of the best Blues Players in So Cal (a not-insignificant group of players), and it's all for a good cause, The San Diego Girls' Club.This year the line-up was outstanding, as usual. I won't

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-62887262317793451722007-03-25T14:16:00.000-07:002007-03-25T14:27:35.678-07:00

I should probably be promoting myself on this site rather than other musicians - (especially local ones), but I just saw this video by The Fremonts, and I was absolutely blown away. So soulful, so swingin', such a deep, bitchin' groove.The Fremonts, fronted by singer Mighty Joe Milsap have such a smooth, sweet style, the band is groovin' like a house-afire, and Troy "Pony Boy" Sandow is an

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-43283976422047665392007-03-23T16:39:00.000-07:002007-03-23T17:08:28.277-07:00

I normally play with a 'bullet' mic in my hand, which is plugged directly into a tube amplifier. I can get a fairly broad pallette of sound and volume by using 'cupping techniques' that make the most of the equipment I'm playing through. In fact, it almost seems as though a Harmonica player using these techniques is 'playing' the Mic and the Amp as much as the harmonica.Lately, I've been

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-88636307053279599902007-03-07T21:07:00.000-08:002007-03-08T15:05:48.927-08:00

Sad, sad news. Paul deLay passed suddenly today. He was one of the most original musicians of any genre I ever heard, period. In my opinion, his Harmonica playing was second only to Stevie Wonder in terms of outright originality. It's especially sad when an artist dies, because they touch so many hearts and help to ease the suffering of these earthly shackles. Paul deLay's passing is a great loss

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-74002204603299673042007-02-05T07:52:00.000-08:002007-02-05T08:16:39.249-08:00

Those of you who are my musician friends have already heard me rant on this subject, so you may want to skip this post.5 Watts is big enough, y'all.I subbed for a friend last Saturday - we were playing Blues in a small (but very 'hot') room. Drums, PA, Bass, Guitar and Harmonica. I brought my Bassman, as I always do, but I also brought my 5-Watt Epiphone Valve Jr head, hoping to use it instead. I

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-16899428627368206042007-02-04T10:12:00.000-08:002007-02-04T10:16:27.770-08:00

West of Memphis has some rough cuts up on their MySpace page...check them out, y'all!

Danenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-15589544118972389152007-02-04T07:56:00.001-08:002007-02-04T08:41:19.213-08:00

I know many of my friends are working very hard and very devotedly to polish their skills, to hone their craft, sharpen their tools to the point that they begin to feel comfortable seeking to play out. I hope you won't take offense to my next statement if you're in that position.If you're not playing with other musicians for an audience, you need to do it by any means available, as soon and as

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-54404620647855880792007-01-31T15:58:00.000-08:002007-01-31T16:02:56.711-08:00

My friend from West of Memphis commented on my last post, but I thought I'd paste it in here so it would show up on your feeds.quote:Mr. Chromatonic, Thanks for the comments ! We will be doing a live interview on On the "Boogie Child" program KCLA on the American Radio Network in Los Angeles and it will simulcast on the web http://www.kclafm.com/ on March 3rd from 7:30 to 9pm We'll be playing in

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-61029446911850640322007-01-29T16:21:00.000-08:002007-01-30T06:50:14.698-08:00

My friends from the band West of Memphis just got back from a week in the studio putting together a new CD. WOW! I am not exaggerating - this CD will knock you for a loop when you hear it! It will surprise you that it was made in this century, not in the middle of the last one - it sounds that authentic.Please go to their website now and bookmark it. Check back until they post the link to their

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-52940342365885391842007-01-15T13:34:00.000-08:002007-01-16T17:13:58.352-08:00

Most Blues fans know what they like. Some are 'Brit-blues' fans - they dig Mayall, Green, and the like. Some are fans of Texas Blues, Jump, Delta Blues, or Piedmont styles... A lot of Blues fans listen mostly to the Guitar, some to the Vocals, and some prefer Piano. Since I'm a self-confessed Harmonica fanatic, I have my 'first favorites' listed over yonder in the column on the right, but I

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-5103636142578542872007-01-01T09:29:00.000-08:002007-01-01T09:56:08.163-08:00

Most of us look back and forward at the turning of each new year. I'm not going to be much different, but I am going to make a suggestion: If you're engaged in some kind of long-term endeavor (such as trying to build your skills as a musician, artist, or in your career), I suggest you take a few moments to 'take a snapshot' of your current position on your path. Here are some ways you might do

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-43235642531109424592006-12-22T22:39:00.000-08:002007-08-08T21:37:35.152-07:00

TONE! Glorious, fat, greasy, CHEAP TONE!Let me preface this by saying clearly that I'm not compensated for any product comments made on this (or any other) site. I'm not a professional, neither am I an endorser of any product.OK?[Chromatonic's note]: I decided to compile my posts regarding the Valve Junior into one cohesive report. The updated version is as follows...Reward IJp and I have been

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-78518014817291790972006-12-15T06:09:00.000-08:002006-12-16T07:46:46.498-08:00

I needed a Christmas song for Slow Jam, a musical get-together I do most every month, but I couldn't find one that really captured the feeling I wanted to convey. So I wrote this last night.Broke-down Christmas BluesOh, Santa, Santa Claus, hear me sing these Christmas bluesOh, Santa, Santa Claus, hear me sing these Christmas bluesMan I got holes in my pockets clean down through the soles of my

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-40234995387200242412006-12-14T18:43:00.000-08:002006-12-14T18:44:19.902-08:00

I love these guys!

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-3301129087953135782006-12-06T23:21:00.000-08:002006-12-06T23:47:44.765-08:00

There's a tradition of Dharma in Zen. Dharma means the pure juice - the heart, marrow and guts of the Buddha's teachings. In blues, we might think of Dharma as Mojo.A Dharma descendant is one who can trace the line of Dharma transmission all the way back to the Buddha through his Master and his Master's Masters- the direct lineage, if you will (although not by blood; by receiving the Dharma).If

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-66584303904667561032006-12-03T07:46:00.000-08:002006-12-18T18:32:38.192-08:00

Time to do some maintenance on my harps. The band is coming out next weekend (playing our first gig with this line-up), so I want to make sure all my harps are playing good as can be. Here's my maintenance regimen:Special 20s: Take them apart completely (one at a time), and emerse in a solution of soapy water, as warm as I can stand it. I usually use a loaf pan. Let soak for a few minutes, then

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-7358376158065462112006-11-23T08:25:00.000-08:002006-12-05T12:01:18.106-08:00

4811 Wadsworth is one of my favorite Rod Piazza songs. In fact, it's on my Up In The Chrome-shed woodshed list. It's sub-titled Blues for George. I recently saw a George Smith record label (vinyl, that is) with that address on it. Maybe it was George's address, or the address of the recording studio, or his Label, I'm not sure.Anyway, I'm up in the woodshed learning this song, but there are a

Danenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-64889005845065107132006-11-16T20:01:00.000-08:002006-11-23T09:20:45.511-08:00

Well, I did it - played a bare-nekkid solo set. Don't panic, I don't mean sans clothes, I mean sans any accompaniment at all. I know, all the guitar players and singer - songwriters are saying 'so what - I do that all the time'.OK. But with nuttin' but a Harmonica and your boyish (or girlish) charm?It was just an intimate little neighborhood open mic - a friendly little thang, but somehow it was

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-73105321889802303572006-11-16T06:34:00.000-08:002006-12-10T16:00:37.854-08:00

(This post was modified Dec 10, 2006 to reflect experience.)I've been building 'chopper' mics this week; modified hand-held 'bullet' mics for my friend John.I found a little-used type of mic (Shure 450) that has a much-desired element. Rather than take out the element and transplant it into an older bullet shell (fast becoming an expensive commodity themselves), I've built a few that utilize the

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1163002285825152742006-11-08T07:58:00.000-08:002006-11-23T09:21:39.530-08:00

My friend Jp over at I can't get started is posting some great practice advice on his blog. It's inspired this post.Here's what I try to do to fit (squeeze) in time for practice in a schedule that includes work & family (wife, 2 kids, in-laws, etc.) in generous quantities:Rehearsal - 1x per week, 3 hours, with the band.Freeplay practice - usually 1x per week, often on Saturday afternoons. This is

Danenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161737194309823602006-10-24T17:13:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:16.796-08:00

I've been in a huddle with my "study buddy" over practice and it's gotten pretty interesting. We've been talking about "S.M.A.R.T." goals. For instance:S-pecifc [I need to learn my new band's arrangements of 40 songs, plus vocals on 12 of those]M-easurable [I need to learn them well enough to perform them]I'll measure my success against the approval I get from my bandmates in our weekly rehearsal

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161533621106499472006-10-22T09:13:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:16.678-08:00

I've been talking to my friend John about the lifespan of his harmonicas. John goes through harps pretty fast. He's got amazing tone - really amazing. He sounds like a trumpet; just brassy, in your face tone. Man, I really dig his tone. In fact, he can make a harmonica sound acoustically almost like it would sound through an amp - you know, when those singing, high notes just scream?Most of his

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161290794297712242006-10-19T13:46:00.000-07:002009-02-22T11:00:54.441-08:00

As a guy who's spent literally decades in the woodshed (playing guitar & bass) with very little help or positive interaction with other musicians, I have to say that harmonica players are a very supportive (if eccentric) bunch of folks as a class. I've gotten some of the most helpful feedback, sage advice, and handiest tips from my fellow harp players.And there are a gang of really fine harp

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161180923383682222006-10-18T06:46:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:16.143-08:00

I have a deep love of good old, greasy, stinky blues. Old juke-joint stuff. Robert Johnson, Son House. Mississippi Delta, Piedmont, early Chicago.A friend just sent me a link to some historic photos of blues musicians on the web. It's called The Blueheart Archive. Quite an impressive collection. Scanning through all those photos I got a visual impression of what I've been hearing and seeing over

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161147142905427512006-10-17T21:30:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.930-08:00

So, do you really have to practice scales & arpeggios? Can't you just practice improvisation? Can't you just learn licks by repetition, then learn to fuse and mutate those licks into a lexicon of musical phrases unique to you?As I see it, scales and arpeggios are like learning the structure of a language from the solid foundation up to the roof. Learning the difference between nouns, verbs,

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161145717782239692006-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.836-08:00

Practice (as opposed to rehearsal) was one of the bones of contention of my former band. It's my former band because it wasn't fun anymore so I (the founder) quit.Anyway, here's where I'm going with this one: Practice is for the woodshed. Practice is what you do when you have room to screw up. By yourself. Practice is for making mistakes, then polishing them into something fine to hear. Recording

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161095665291800082006-10-17T07:27:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.732-08:00

Conclusions:Fire Breath: Absolute Top of the Line blues diatonic - great appearance, sound, feel and response. The full covers lend themselves nicely to an airtight cup on the mic. Any of you players who are strong advocates of wood combs owe it to yourself to try this harmonica.Pure Harp: Quirky, kooky, cool all-wood soul-brother of the Fire Breath. Seem to have a slightly warmer tone than the

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161095232480535242006-10-17T07:13:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.618-08:00

I have tried various Suzuki diatonic harmonicas - with very different results. Pro-Masters: Generally high quality, the metal combs seem OK, but I don't like the way the reeds respond to my breath.Bluemasters: I love the shape of the covers, but they're just a bit small, compared to my favorite brand (Hohner Special 20).Suzuki has created some brand new models, and I was lucky enough to get my

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161093634918340872006-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.531-08:00

Hey, check out The Roadhouse Podcast if you get a chance. Tony Steidler-Dennison knows blues. He often features players you've never heard of - most of 'em quite good - and he's started to feature more well-known stuff, too. Da Kine, brah.

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161093476394425382006-10-17T06:57:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.444-08:00

You won't see me posting much about overblowers here. I don't care for the sound of the technique, generally speaking.Like playing in all keys on the chromatic, there are damn few players who can play in many (or all) keys on the diatonic. In fact, far fewer than chromatic players. And most overblowers sound like crap, IMO - they get a strangled tone from making the reeds go that way that just

Danenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161059736043935302006-10-16T21:35:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.376-08:00

My "study buddy" & I made a pact. We decided we'd try to challenge each other to achieve a semblance of "chromaticity" - the art of being able to play fluently in all keys. If you play harmonica you know how hard this is. If you don't, I'll give you a hint: most harmonica-playing pros carry more than 20 harmonicas to give them the reach and depth of color-palette to do this tastefully. I should

Danenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161058729565821742006-10-16T21:14:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.277-08:00

I know this is supposed to be a harmonica blog, but the most Badass harmonica player ever has a Guitar-Playing video on YouTube that just kicked my ass. Here it is:

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-1161057377304191172006-10-16T20:53:00.000-07:002006-11-11T13:24:15.212-08:00

Long time mail-order Harmonica distributor, F R Farrell closed their doors several months ago. Now, their inventory is showing up on Ebay. Hundreds of harmonicas at a time were auctioned for a fraction of their "street value". click here to see what's left...

Danenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139023.post-78945259153560368982006-10-16T17:58:00.000-07:002009-04-16T18:03:17.159-07:00

My first real musical instrument was a Hohner Vest Pocket harmonica, given to me by my folks before I was in school. Probably the first Harmonica player I can remember really knocking me out was Little Stevie Wonder. Next after that was Charlie Musselwhite, I think. After that, I had the blues fever and started seeking out the source material like Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, Little Walter

Danenoreply@blogger.com0