Building a Foundation: Part II

Last issue I introduced the study song “HS Blues.” Our first version of the song set the basis of our study—no bending (except for the basic dip) or tongue block exclusive techniques. For the new players out there this was a great study song for you. For the players that have been playing for a while, having learned this version will help you to appreciate the changes in this and upcoming versions.

In this issue I incorporate heavy use of tongue blocking techniques (man, it was hard for me to not use slaps on this first recording!) for you to hear and understand where choices are made to utilize tongue block sounds.

Give yourself time to study this example song… there’s a lot of tongue blocking technique in here. If you would like to explore tongue block techniques in more detail, I recommend you purchase my book Basic Blues Harmonica Method Level 1, the Tongue Block Method (Mel Bay Publications MB21053BCD).

You’ll need a G harmonica for this song (band is in the key of D). I’ve provided an MP3 track of me playing the song as well as the jam track (which comes from Blues Harmonica Jam Tracks & Soloing Concepts #2).

Good luck and have fun!