This is Everyday I Have the Blues played in second position on a D harp.  I am playing to the version that my friend Brian Lee (and the Orbiters band) did on their album "Falling Leaves."  You might also hear some unsolicted back up singing by my Brittany Spaniel, Mel.

Jd nice arrangement and cool house by the way!!!...I can hear the influence of Corey...that solo is similar to Corey's solo in Sweet Home Chicago with Keb Mo but there's your print on it!!!

Mine should be another version of Candyman...but it's more similar to Eric Bibb's version. I prefer it. In rev Gary Davis there are too many notes and it's too complicate. Eric's version has less notes and it's more soulfoul...but it's mine opinion!!! :))

I wait for your next video!!! :))

Alex

Hello Everybody,

This is my arrangement of "Running Hidding" that i learned with Corey ! But i play it in open E. I've performed it twice in concert with my dobro but when i was working onFred McDowell Stuff with my SG, i decided to play the song with it and i liked the electric feel ;)

Hope you'll like it  and thanks to all the Sonic sunction team and all the teachers :) !!

Greetings

JD

@Alex Nice Song ! I don't know it, maybe another version of candyman ??

The links didn't work here it is :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGD5uDevrac&feature=youtu.be

Hy All, I'm the first to post here...Hope that in this open mic there will be a lot of videos!!! This is a tune that I've been studyin in this days...Does anybody knows it??? singin and playin at the same time is really really hard!!!

Keep on bluesin

Alex

Open Mic at Sonic Junction, June 28 - July 7 It's time for Open Mic! We're having our 3rd Sonic Junction Open Mic on June 28th. So start preparing -- you've got 2 weeks ...

Open Mic is a time to share your music with the Sonic Junction community. Post a video of yourself playing your favorite tune--it can be a song you wrote, something you learned here at Sonic Junction or elsewhere, or a tune you're enjoying at the moment. It's a great chance to share what's on your mind -- inspire and be inspired!

From June 21st to June 30, post your videos here.  

PLEASE WAIT UNTIL FRIDAY, JUNE 28th TO POST YOUR VIDEO.

And check back often to enjoy all the talent here at Sonic Junction.

Drop me an email or let me know via the Contact Us page if you have questions or need help editing or posting your video.

Looking forward to some good music!

Mike

Here's my try at the intro quote of this song. Not as clean as the master's, I almost ran out of breath! :-)

Great 1st position playing on the original of this tune BTW 

Thanks you

I'll probably demonstrate it in an upcoming video. Stay tuned.

Hey Mike,

The song is in B. I start on an E harp (2nd position) and switch to a B harp (1st position) for the solo. You certainly could play an A harp (3rd position) if you so desired.

What I like about what you're doing is that you have a focused practice routine. When you're not actually playing, listen as much as possible to the classic players: Sonny Boy I, Sonny Boy II, Little Walter, Big Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Junior Wells etc. Get their sounds in your head!

Hi,

I recently put up a discussion on the MBH forum about why one would use backing tracks instead of playing/practicing along with songs that don't have a harmonica part (I'm a harp player). My point was that playing along with t-Bone Walker (or whoever) is more fun so I practice/play longer, and I learn new songs. I don't put the backing tracks that Rick and Jerry put up in this class because they are really just the song that Jerry has taught without the harp part.  Anyway, one of the better answers I got talked about using backing tracks and playing along with songs was they can be complimentary tools, pointing out that the backing tracks give one more freedom to improvise.  Along with this advice, the poster made the point that using a metronome is a good idea.  My question is: when learning a blues song that most likely does not have sheet music how do you determine time signaures and BPM other than guessing?

Thanks,

Rich

That is a great CD I recently got it myself

 Looks Good!!I do alot of that in my practice as well but I also try to set a side a hour or 2 every day just listening to the greats play. Just like Jerry says you cant play what you dont hear. I recently purchased sonny boy (both versions), Walter Horton, G. Harmonica Smith, Little Walter, Junior wells, howlin wolf and james cotton and Kym wilson.

Hi Peter ... good suggestion.  I'm not sure if we will include this with the next release, but I will put it on the list. I understand and agree with your use case.   

Hi JD ... thanks for the suggestion on the light grey tab lines.  We tried it and I think looks the best.  Visually, the simplicity is better than leaving gaps.

Hi All ... The new lesson page design will be coming in early July along with some other updates to the site.  We really appreciate all the input and feedback.

Hello Mr. Portnoy-

Could you please comment on my daily workout routine below? Although I firmly believe that working on long notes, scales and bending is utterly important for the blues harp player. However, do you think I am spending way too much time in these areas? If I can manager to play for two hours a day what would you recommend to improve the diversity and efficiency of my daily practice?

21:00-21:20         Long notes, 60BPM, 16 beats per note

21:20-21:45         Ascending and descending major and blues scale played at 120, 160, 180 and 200BPM

21:45-22:15         Bending on G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F

22:15-22:30         Exercise song #1

22:30-22:45         Exercise song #2

22:45-23:00         New techniques (e.g. vibrato, side-flutter…etc)

Hi Jerry,

I'm trying to pick out some licks from the song "The Bitter Seed" with Joe Beard.

I don't have a B harp but is that the key?

I can kind of play along with an A harp in 3rd, but I'm not sure if that's what your doing.

I hear you hit some blow bends on the solo, do you play two harps in different positions on the song?

Great Stuff BTW

Thanks for your time

I love this tune, would love to play it thanks

Hi Boyd ... thanks for the thoughts.   It's not in our current plan to allow people to download the lessons.  The goal of Sonic Junction is to get the music in you and your subconcious, so it can flow out just like speaking English or any other language.

When someone decides to stop, we offer them a "guest" account where they can login and view all the chords, tab and discussions on Sonic Junction.  The only restriction is lesson videos, which are restricted to the first 60 seconds.  

I realize that Jerry teaches exclusively by ear, so the lesson videos are key.  One idea is we could have his "performance" lessons viewable for guests to serve as the reference.   

The final item to remember for Jerry is that he's teaching you how to learn by ear ... and once you get this, you're going to be able to pick out ANY song you hear.  This is the ultimate goal.

could we do under the double Eagle thanks

Hi Jerry,

I was wondering if you could spend some time on this song (as done by Junior Wells).  To me, it is one of the bluesiest songs ever, and I have learned a lot trying to play along with it.  His approach is kind of minimal but so cool - great tone and breath control.

OK I really enjoy the lesson aand love playing them. ok I'm wondering is their  a way to store .mybe down the you may want to stop doing lessons .which I don't plain on stopping.But al i am doing is renting yhe songs.I would llike to store them for myself

I love programs on the tunes but all you are doing is renting the song is thier any way saving the tune.

Hello ,

Would you make a lesson for :

- la chanson des bozos

- Rokie

-Njarka

and else ?

@JD...thank you.

Jerry - is it possible to get tabs for Rick's backup tracks?