Ben

Hi Jerry,

Here is my attempt at playing the beginning of Junior Parker’s Mother in Law Blues from your first lesson on that song. I found that singing the parts around the intro and fills helped me keep to the rhythm, so the video includes my singing (btw I took your advice from an earlier lesson and began singing lessons a while back – and things I’m learning around pitch, rhythm, tone and breath seem useful for my harmonica development as well). Seems like when I listen and compare my playing to you or Junior Parker, my tone seems breathy (less clean and sharp), and I’d like to work on that. I also feel I need to work on my fanning technique which seems a bit sloppy (FYI... I switched to holding the harp in my right hand after banging up my left elbow when I fell a while back – I may switch back when it heals). Anyway, I welcome any feedback you may have – note selection, tone, rhythm, flow, etc. – on my harp playing on this video. Thanks. Ben.

Jerry Portnoy

Hi Ben,

Your time and rhythm is spot on and in general it's pretty good but there are a couple of essential things that need to be addressed. In the first phrase I hear you play 3 blow, 3 draw, 4 blow, 4 draw, 4 draw, 4 blow, 3 draw, 4 blow. The 4 blow in boldface should be a bend on the 4 draw instead of the blow note you're playing. The bend should just roll down from the 4 draw you play on the previous note. You do the same thing in the second phrase just before you do the triple tounguing lick. Whenever you hit the 4 draw in this you should start it with a little dig into it like a bend and let it up very quickly instead of just hitting it as a straight note. You also use the 4 blow instead of the 4 draw bend in the middle of the "fanning" part. You should hit that 4 draw bend at the start of the fanning section as well. It starts with a 4 draw bend and then you let it up as you start fanning. I'd like for you to work on this. Listen to me do it on the lesson and you'll hear it and understand what I'm pointing out. If you make these corrections you'll really have it down. I'd like for you to re-post this when you polish it up so I can see how you've done. Good work!

Phil

The repetition, both slow and normal speed is really helpful.  Also, your explanation to hear the sound before you play it is incredibly useful.  I'm amazed when this happens automatically.  Thank you for piecing this together.  You are very patient and clear and I greatly appreciate your help!  The dog isn't running out the room lately so I must be improving. 

Jerry Portnoy

Hey Phil,

You're starting to get what this is all about. You say you're amazed when you hear the sound and then it happens automatically that you play it. That's the gas of it. The more you play and start remembering where the sounds and pitches are, the easier it gets to automatically play what you hear. You're on the right track. Stick with it!