Tuesday, December 19, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 513 #557)

Final Take!!!
Students in the Performance Class workshopped throughout the session and brought their A game into B1 last night to lay down a multi-track recording of their songs in our tenth Final Take recording session. We have recorded over 100 songs in these sessions!

Thanks to Highway RickEy for all the gear and set-up and to Al Taylor who now edits and mixes the recordings to produce a finished take.

It's a great learning process and we had a good time last night making it happen. 

Class Notes

  • Register now for the next session which begins January 8.
  • Joe is away some in January, so Grant subs for Level III and Performance Classes on January 8.
  • No classes on January 15.  
  • YMM is on break now through the holidays - back atcha on January 9.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 512 #556)

Final Take Rehearsal!!!

Final Take recording is next Monday, December 18 and we used our time last night to rehearse. Folks registered for the Performance class will be laying down a multi-track recording of the song they've been working on.

See you all next week for Final Take!

Class Notes

  • Register now for the next session. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 511 #555)

Final Take Rehearsal!!!

Final Take recording is December 18 and we used most of our time last night in rehearsal.

Given the school's song of the session dedication to Cross Roads by Robert Johnson and Ain't That A Shame by Fats Domino, Joe and students put together a couple video arrangements of the tunes:

Cross Road Blues
Ain't That A Shame

Class Notes

  • Register now for the next session. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 510 #554)

What Did You Miss This Week? Final Take Rehearsal!!!

Final Take recording is December 18 and we used most of our time last night in rehearsal.

Following up though on the school's study of Crossroads by Robert Johnson, Richard sang it and Joe followed on guitar, demonstrating that blues can be "crooked but natural-sounding".

Thanks to Highway RickEy for his donation of a new vocal mic stand to B1. It has a grip handle for quickly adjusting height. Thanks, Highway!

Class Notes

  • December 3 is the last day to re-register for your private lesson slots.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 509 #553)

Record Yourself!!!

Joe reminded folks in the Performance Class that in order for him to best help you, he needs to hear from you - tell him what to listen for or what your goals are so he can guide you.

Speaking of guiding, here's a great learning tool to implement. Last week Joe talked about the value of transcribing. This week, he urged people to record themselves. Use your phone or capture some video and review what you record. Do you like what you see? Great. If not, this can guide you to growth. Joe just recorded all but one of his gigs in Europe and reviewed each the next day - if it's valuable for him, it is valuable for you!

Old Town has two songs of the session Joe commented on last night. In honor of Fats Domino, his hit Ain't That a Shame (1955) is being studied by classes throughout the school. It's a New Orleans blues that proves how simple lyrics and a lot of repetition can be a winning recipe.

Also being studied is Robert Johnson's Crossroads Blues (1936). It is remarkable for the school to be studying a traditional blues, so we may be looking at it more in class this session. Joe noted that it is a song that does not have a recognizable melody - have a listen and be ready to talk about it in class.

Class Notes

  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is tonight!
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 508 #522)

Transcribing!!!

Performance class has declared their recording tunes for our December 18th recording date and the next few weeks we'll focus on polishing things. Don't hesitate to talk about arrangement or work on beginnings and endings with the band.

Someone asked Joe about the process of transcribing last night and he gave this outline and advice:

  1. Determine the harp being played, the key of the song and the position. Remember that vintage recordings may not be exactly in tune with your harp. (Hint: this is where Amazing Slowdowner comes in handy to shift the key a little to align with your harp.)
  2. Determine the form - count it out! How many bars are there and of which chords? Keep your ears open - this may be where you'll run into fragments of bars missing due to a recording or editing clip or maybe just the player's choice.
  3. Determine the groove. How many eighth notes are there per beat? Two, that's a straight eighths tune; three, that's a shuffle.
  4. Pick out licks and phrases to work on now. What beat does the phrase start on? Where is beat one? What is the melody of the phrase? Then what are the colors and harp-specific techniques being applied - vamps, dirty notes, tremolo?
  5. Write it down! You'll learn better; you'll have something to come back to later; and you'll have to hold yourself accountable to getting it right when you write it down. 

Speaking of learning and technique, have you seen all the new technique and breathing videos on Filisko's Harmonica Method & Instruction YouTube channel?!

Class Notes

  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 507 #551)

Great stuff in the Performance Class last night as always. We're excited to see Katsu joining us again!

Remember to be thinking about your Final Take recording tune in December - be ready to declare your tune to the band next week so we can all begin polishing it together.

Class Notes

  • Joe is back next week! All classes proceed as normal. 
  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 506 #550)

The Performance class is rocking and once again there were great performances last night. Remember to be thinking about your Final Take recording tune in December and begin workshopping it in B1.

Class Notes

  • New session is underway but there's still time to register - do it now!
  • Joe is away through Nov 6. Rhythm and Chording classes and Joe's private lessons are cancelled in this time frame, but all Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal with Grant subbing for Joe. 
  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 505 #549)

The Performance class is rocking and once again there were great performances last night. Remember to be thinking about your Final Take recording tune in December and begin workshopping it in B1.

Class Notes

  • New session starts next week - Register now!
  • Joe is away through Nov 6. Rhythm and Chording classes and Joe's private lessons are cancelled in this time frame, but all Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal with Grant subbing for Joe. 
  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 504 #548)

Great performances! 

We talked a little too about how to use time in the weeks with Joe away and we'll keep focused on accompaniment techniques as well as spending time on workshopping tunes for our December Final Take recordings.

Class Notes

  • Current session ends Oct 23. 
  • New session starts Oct 30 - Register now!
  • Joe will is away Oct 16-30, and Nov 6. Rhythm and Chording classes and Joe's private lessons are cancelled in this time frame, but all Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal with Grant subbing for Joe. 
  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.


- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 503 #547)

Performance Class

Sonny Boy lives! Lots of B1 students have been digging into SB One stuff lately and it's been fun.

Joe conferred with Al and RickEy and we agreed to end the year with another Final Take recording session, so if you're in the Performance class, be thinking about what you'd like to work on and polish for a recording and get the tunes started now. The period with Joe away is a great time to be working on beginnings and endings of your song, so think ahead.

Class Notes

  • Current session ends Oct 23. 
  • New session starts Oct 30. 
  • Note that Joe will be away Oct 16-30, and Nov 6. Rhythm and Chording classes and Joe's private lessons are cancelled in this time frame, but all Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal with Grant subbing for Joe. 
  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.

It Takes Three DVD Release

The two-hour long documentary film featuring the making of the harmonica-centric CD “It Takes Three” is here! You’ll see the creative process of Gary Smith, Aki Kumar, and David Barrett working with the Bay Area’s top blues musicians—rehearsing and recording each of the fifteen songs on the CD at Kid Andersen’s famous Greaseland Studios. If you’re a harmonica player, make sure to purchase the transcriptions set, which shows you how all the fills, solos, and cool harmonica harmonies were played (written in standard and TAB notation).

Purchase the DVD, CD and transcription set here!

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 502 #546)

Accompaniment Techniques!!!

Lots of good performances and accompaniment playing in B1 last night!

Speaking to playing chords in an organ sustain, Joe said people should start there because it's easy - "if you can breath, you can do this!"

Then, after train whistle sustains, you get to last night's technique, hard shuffle chording. This involves playing like a rhythm-section instrument, laying down a solid swinging shuffle rhythm, inhaling then exhaling on the low end of the second position harp while enunciating "tucka-tucka". It's driving; it's staccato; and it can be played over all the chord changes in tunes that are shuffles. Killer blues magic.

Class Notes

  • Current session ends Oct 23.
  • New session starts Oct 30.
  • Note that Joe will be away Oct 16-30, and Nov 6. Rhythm and Chording classes and Joe's private lessons are cancelled in this time frame, but all Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal with Grant subbing for Joe. 


  • Joe's next Harmonica Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is November 21.


It Takes Three DVD Release

The two-hour long documentary film featuring the making of the harmonica-centric CD “It Takes Three” is here! You’ll see the creative process of Gary Smith, Aki Kumar, and David Barrett working with the Bay Area’s top blues musicians—rehearsing and recording each of the fifteen songs on the CD at Kid Andersen’s famous Greaseland Studios. If you’re a harmonica player, make sure to purchase the transcriptions set, which shows you how all the fills, solos, and cool harmonica harmonies were played (written in standard and TAB notation).

Purchase the DVD, CD and transcription set here!

German Harmonicas And The Blues

German Harmonicas And The Blues – A Concert & Book Reading With Grammy Award Winner Peter Madcat Ruth And Author Herbert Quelle

Get your tickets now for Madcat Ruth at Dankhaus, October 6.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 501 #545)

Accompaniment Techniques!!!

Lots of good performances and accompaniment playing in B1 last night!

Joe reiterated how important good accompaniment chops are and demo'd some. He encouraged using two harps to get the job done and impress - the harp is after all a two-chord instrument...and blues is three chords!

Class Notes

  • Welcome back!

It Takes Three DVD Release

The two-hour long documentary film featuring the making of the harmonica-centric CD “It Takes Three” is here! You’ll see the creative process of Gary Smith, Aki Kumar, and David Barrett working with the Bay Area’s top blues musicians—rehearsing and recording each of the fifteen songs on the CD at Kid Andersen’s famous Greaseland Studios. If you’re a harmonica player, make sure to purchase the transcriptions set, which shows you how all the fills, solos, and cool harmonica harmonies were played (written in standard and TAB notation).

Purchase the DVD, CD and transcription set here!

German Harmonicas And The Blues

German Harmonicas And The Blues – A Concert & Book Reading With Grammy Award Winner Peter Madcat Ruth And Author Herbert Quelle.

Get your tickets now for Madcat Ruth at Dankhaus, October 6.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 500 #544)

Accompaniment Techniques!!!

Joe shared an Accompaniment Approaches handout last night he'll be working from again next week. It lists and explains techniques including the two he demo'd last night, organ sustaining and train whistle sustaining.

Organ sustaining is a long, 2-bar sustain with gently feathered edges and you're playing the three chords of the song as the band moves through the progressions. Don't be shy about using two harps to accomplish this!

Next up was the train whistle sustain, which you hear Little Walter doing a lot. This is a sustain that is all about bluesy dissonance, not matching chords to changes. Think splits and dirty notes with chordal effects like shakes, tongue shakes, rapid vamping, throat tremelo etc.

Work on these accompaniment techniques and be a valued part of the band!

Class Notes

  • Welcome back!


German Harmonicas And The Blues

German Harmonicas And The Blues – A Concert & Book Reading With Grammy Award Winner Peter Madcat Ruth And Author Herbert Quelle

Get your tickets now for Madcat Ruth at Dankhaus, October 6.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 499 #543)

Accompany by Sustaining!!!

Always be working on your accompaniment playing - you'll do far more of that than soloing on stage and it's always best to add to the music, not duplicate what other instruments are doing or detract. Because the rhythm section usually has the shuffle well in hand, you often want to do something different. As Joe says, think of the music as layers, like a pizza. If there is already a crust, should you add another one to it? Probably not.

So do an "organ sustain", which is a chord or notes from each of the chords of the progression. This is also great breathing exercise. The other thing you can do is "train whistle sustain" which is a cluster of notes in a chordal effect that are played in a sustained way. The difference from the organ sustain is that this is often more dissonant - think head or tongue shakes - and also may not change at every chord change.

Practice your sustains!

Class Notes

  • Welcome back!


German Harmonicas And The Blues

German Harmonicas And The Blues – A Concert & Book Reading With Grammy Award Winner Peter Madcat Ruth And Author Herbert Quelle

Get your tickets now for Madcat Ruth at Dankhaus, October 6.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 498 #542)

Ear Training Recap!!!
Joe was back this week and we had some students who missed RickEy's ear training talk last week so he did a little recap. Work on your ear training and know that it ties in well to our topic of improvising over a one-chord song.

Speaking of, Joe will return to that topic next week with some concrete ideas on how to do just that - don't miss it!

Class Notes
  • Next week is the last class of the session - be sure to get yourself registered for the next session which begins September 11.
  • Your YMM editor is headed out on vacation, so there will be no newsletter next week.  
  • Plan ahead - Joe is hosting another Harlem Harp Party at the Harlem Avenue Lounge on August 29. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 497 #541)

Ear Training!!!

While Joe was away this week, Highway RickEy spent some time with an ear training technique focused on hearing blues scale chord tones and identifying them through singing and playing them. You can't improvise without knowing the notes at your disposal and how they sound and feel...and you need to be able to play the things in your head, so this is a great way to improve your improvisation through training.

h/t to performers last night who did a piece in memory of the legendary Cajun singer/songwriter/performer D. L. Menard who passed away this week.

Class Notes

  • Joe will be back next week. Classes proceed as normal.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 495 #540)

Improvisation!!!

Joe was back and did a little recap of the one-chord learning we've been doing lately as relates to improvisation. All agreed Dennis Gruenling has an extremely deep well of musical vocabulary and that expanding one's vocabulary is a must if you want to improvise (or improvise better than you currently do).

Joe also emphasized that you want to focus on playing within the blues vocabulary - listen and learn from the masters and know the language you are working to express yourself in. It's not just knowing the notes in a scale; it's knowing how they're usually put together and how they take advantage of the harp's layout and strengths.


Class Notes

  • Joe will be away next week - Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal though with Grant filling in. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 495 #539)

One Chord Improvisation!!!

Joe is away teaching in West Virginia this week, so Grant and RickEy spent some further time discussing Dennis Gruenling's recent one chord improv over the Louis Myers tramp groove.

Grant's main point was to share that he personally was interested in the connectors or junctions between phrases. How did Dennis move from one thought or phrase to the next in a way that made sense and that the listener followed? RickEy pointed out the connector for Louis Myers was to peg that two draw rhythmic element between phrases, which is true. Those were mostly absent in Dennis' take, so what holds things together? What are the jumps in phrasing that connect things?

The point was not really to answer that so much as to point out it is something to listen for. Sometimes it's use of a rhythmic element that leads to the next place; sometimes it's using the last few notes of a phrase to begin the next one. There are a lot of answers - the point is to know that some connector is needed to make for a stronger piece.

We wrapped too with the reminder of something Shoji Naito taught us in B1 at one time - know the root and the fifth scale degree and navigate between them as a solid starting point for phrase building.

Class Notes

  • Joe will be back next week and then out of town once more on July 31 - Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal though with Grant filling in. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 494 #538)

One Chord Exploration!!!
Happy Fourth of July!

Joe recapped our discussion from last week of Louis Myers' Top of the Harp, pointing out it is 90% inhale notes, 90% notes in the range of holes 2-4, and repeating again the power of repetition which grabs the listener. We repeat, repeat yourself!

We listened to RickEy's performance from last week too and loved it! Remember that it is highly advised to have a couple one chord songs in your gig repertoire.

Class Notes

  • YMM is taking next week off.
  • Joe will be out of town on July 17 and 31 - Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal though with Grant filling in. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 493 #537)

Digging in to Top of the Harp!!!

Following up on the improv conversation that started with our recent Dennis Gruenling visit, Highway RickEy laid down his version of Louis Myers' Top of the Harp - improv over a tramp groove. It's a groove Dennis played over while in class, so we're studying Louis' version first and we'll dive into the recording of RickEy next week.

Joe and RickEy shared observations of Myers' tune:

  • Joe calls it "mostly harmonica blues scale" playing with a fair use of the four blow as a pivot note and chance to dump air.
  • Myers does a ton of variation on one note, the fifth. You hear the four draw as head shake, clean, dirty - all imaginable ways, full of tonal and textural variety. 
  • Louis' phrasing varies, not always starting on the one. 

Other general comments:

  • Playing over a one chord groove would at first seem easy, but YOU have to create the movement and make something interesting. Louis' off-rhythm playing and his use of the 2 draw hook are examples of solutions here.
  • Repetition! Listeners tune out without it, so repeat yourself. Use call and response or question and answer as building blocks.
  • Repetition! Did I mention that you should repeat yourself? Think of it this way - if you play an idea and don't repeat it, you could be accused of not liking your own idea.
Here's a link to Highway RickEy's Top of the Harp jamtracks (120 bpm in E).


Class Notes

  • New Session at Old Town started this week - there is still time to register for the 12:30 Level 3 class or if you have train and country blues goals, get into the Rhythm & Chording class.
  • Joe will be out of town on July 17 and 31 - Level 3 and Performance classes proceed as normal though with Grant filling in. 
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 492 #537)

Lots of Fun in B1!!!
We had Lee Kanehira as a guest in B1 last night and it was terrific to hear her keyboard magic on all of the performances! Shoji Naito was there as well, playing some great harp and guitar while filling in for Grant Kessler who had to leave early.

Dennis Gruenling Visit
Last weeks visit by Dennis was one of the best attended in B1 history. The place was packed, with attendees from all over Chicagoland, as well as Japan, Argentina, Belgium and Netherlands.

If you haven’t already done so, take a look at the You Missed Monday Newsletter for last week to get the details.

What Did We Learn
After recapping a few of the “best practices” mentioned by Dennis, Joe went on to make a few observations:

  • No matter what you play, always be musical and tasteful. In other words, don’t use “improvising in my own style” as an excuse to be lazy and not develop the necessary skills and knowledge to play good music.
  • Singing phrases and then attempting to play them on the harp is a great study technique.  However, be aware that some things just don’t play well on a 1-½ octave blues scale. Also be prepared to choose the right position to make it work.

Working on Improvising
Joe is available to work out a specific practice plan for anyone in the Performance Class who wishes to incorporate improvisation in his or her performances.

In anticipation of continued interest in this topic, Joe suggests students take a good look at Top of The Harp, by Louis Myers. We will be reviewing it thoroughly in the upcoming new session at Old Town School.

Class Notes

  • New Session at Old Town starts next week, so be sure to get registered.
- Al Taylor, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 491 #536)

Improvisation with Dennis Gruenling!!!

Dennis Gruenling joined us last night to dig into the difficult discussion of improvisation.

He started off making the point that it is like the science vs art question and that for him as a listener, improvisation is where the magic is. As you see in improv comedy, improvisational music is real and in the moment.

He told the story of seeing William Clarke when he was first learning and noticing that everything Clarke did on stage was different from the record he was listening to - different keys, harps, breaks, arrangements. He was improvising.

Dennis talked about needing to spend time learning the tools to play, but that when it comes to improv, for him, it is when you are NOT thinking. You aren't thinking about tongue blocking or bending or nodding to the four chord. Your mind is open and you are expressing yourself. But you need the tools and you need to spend time developing an intimate relationship with the notes/scale degrees to know how they make YOU feel when you play them. You have to connect to them emotionally in order to use them expressively.

Dennis talked a lot about improv being personal - he knows, for example, that a jazz player might not rank James Cotton's playing as advanced in terms of theory and technique, but for Dennis, Cotton's playing wins on emotion. As he said, "Your doing it right is not going to be the same as me doing it right, or Joe doing it right, or Grant doing it right." The goal is to express yourself emotionally and afterwards feel that you did just that...and have it be enjoyed by others.

Joe asked Dennis to list a few mistakes he sees players make as they work to improvise:

  • don't be thinking and analyzing; do that in practice
  • don't have a set idea of what you're going to play

And put positively, what can you do to improve and practice your improvisation:

  • know that you CAN practice improv
  • overthink and analyze when you practice
  • work on skills - understanding chord progressions, scales, personal relationship to scales and notes
  • RECORD YOURSELF. Multiple times per week. Listen to it in a focused way. Analyze it. Build on the good stuff, the things you like.
  • dissect segments of other players to understand why something they're doing appeals to you
  • blues player? tongue block; especially working on a clean embouchure
  • know the classic recordings - spend a portion of your "practice time" in FOCUSED LISTENING - put your harp down and open your ears. Being a good listener separates good from great players.

"No newsflash, but it takes time to figure out who you are."

Thanks for a great evening, Dennis!

Class Notes

  • Business as usual next week.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 490 #535)

Get Spotted!!!

Following great performances last night, Joe reiterated the need for and value of having a spotter in the audience when you play. Choose someone and practice this in B1. It gives you volume feedback and so much more. We talked some too about the mechanics of this - what do you do if you're the spotter and your performer is not seeing or hearing you? Joe says it's absolutely fine to slip onto the stage (or the carpet in B1) and poke at someone or whisper in their ear. If your help can make for a better performance, go for it!

An in-class microphone failure last night too gave us opportunity to talk about the importance of dealing with such things smoothly on stage. Check all gear when you first get up on stage. But if failure happens despite your checking, move to another microphone as needed. Learn to recognize and solve "problems" as they happen.

Conversation went to other questions about performing too. What do you do if you launch at the wrong tempo? Joe's advice? Make lemonade. You need to learn from these mistakes so you don't do them again. In any case, don't stop and restart and don't attempt to change the tempo mid song. Learn and don't let it happen again!

Class Notes

  • Be there - Dennis Gruenling will be a special class guest next Monday, June 12. If you're in Chicago, you're welcome to sit in for the class.


- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 489 #534)

Performances!!!

It was a full night of performances in B1, so there wasn't time for any discussion afterwards.

Speaking of performance, we were lucky enough to have a special guest drop in who's visiting from Spain, Quique Gomez. Man, can he lay down the blues! The class loved it so much there was strong request for an encore. He's in town a lot between now and Blues Fest - catch him at the Reggie's after party June 10 playing with Rockin' Johnny and Kid Andersen. Thanks for visiting and playing, Quique!

Class Notes

  • Plan ahead - Dennis Gruenling will be a special class guest Monday, June 12.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 488 #533)

Stage Presence!!!

With a view toward doing video of peoples' performances in class soon, Joe made a point last night of pointing out ways for people to start improving their stage presence and appearance. Face the audience, sure, but think too about strong signals and band leadership - the audience sees this (or the lack of it) too. Wondering who to watch do this well? Morry Sochat if you're here in town, or check out RJ Mischo on youtube.

Another thing to remember is to think about what you're doing when you're not doing anything. Are you fronting but laying out for a guitar solo? Step back from the mic a little to pass the lead and look interested. These are things we'll continue to talk about in our "performance" class over the next few weeks.

Speaking of performance, huge shout out to our new Swedish friend Matthias Bogefors who was visiting B1 last night and played a couple songs. Great to have you, Matthias!

Class Notes

  • Plan ahead - Dennis Gruenling will be a special class guest Monday, June 12.

Blues Music Awards
The 38th Annual Blues Music Awards were announced recently and we see a few harp players on the list:

Kim Wilson - Instrumentalist, harmonica
Curtis Salgado - Soul Blues Album, Song, Soul Blues Male
Bobby Rush - Album

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 487 #532)

Performance!!!

With Final Take behind us for the summer, folks broke out new tunes last night and it was fun to hear fresh stuff. Keep polishing and repeating things though as a means of progressing.

Remember that if you have a tune you're working on or wondering about, it is always fair game to bring a recording of it in to class for playing and discussion.

And speaking of performance - with no recording on tap this session, we have time to explore pro level performance skills in another way - video! We'll be working out the details of capturing, playing back and analyzing performances in class for those willing. It'll give us a chance to discuss what visual and stage presence practices matter and push your performance to the next level.

Class Notes

  • We will not be recording as part of the current session.
  • Plan ahead - Dennis Gruenling will be a special class guest Monday, June 12.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week?

Final Take VIII!!!

For the eighth time now we polished tunes for a session and wrapped it up with a multi-track recording opportunity. There was a lot of partnering and accompaniment playing this session, which was very cool. It's great to see people working out arrangements that include others.

Wondering what we recorded? Here's the list:

  • Guantanamera
  • My Last Meal
  • Lights Out
  • Mannish Blues (a Filisko original)
  • I Put My Baby Out
  • Here, There and Everywhere (h/t to our recent class guest, PT Gazell, for inspiring this song
  • Happy Baby
  • Big Boss Man
  • If Not for You (original)


Class Notes

  • We will not be recording as part of the current session.
  • Plan ahead - Dennis Gruenling will be a special class guest Monday, June 12.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 485 #530)

Rehearsal!!!

We spent a lot of time Monday with folks rehearsing their beginnings and endings. It is critical to have these parts of your performance tight - the opening sets the stage for the band to be together and the ending hits the audience with the impression you have your act together! If you're still unsure of your count off or ending, be sure to practice at home and be ready to run through them in class again next week. That is great use of class time and the band fully supports this kind of rehearsal to get you ready for Final Take on May 1.

And know also that if someone else in the band with you can count off more accurately for you, don't be afraid to let that happen. Starting together is the goal, any way you can get there.

Class Notes

  • Final Take recording this time around is on May 1. Note that Grant is away next week, so be sure to have a copy of your song chart to hand to Joe so he can support you.
  • Shout out to our Brazilian friend Indiara S. Horst who joined us in Level III Monday and performed. Thanks for visiting B1, and if you missed her, go see her at the Harmonica Meetup tonight!
  • Heads up that YMM will not publish next week - editor will be "gone fishin'"!
  • Plan ahead - Dennis Gruenling will be a special class guest Monday, June 12.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 484 #529)

Rehearsal!!!

Songs are declared and people are honing in on their arrangements, and polishing their performances for our next Final Take multi-track recording on May 1.

Use the next few classes to get yourself ready!

Class Notes

  • Final Take recording this time around is on May 1.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew


Tuesday, April 4, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 483 #528)

Performances!!!

We had another terrific night of performance in B1 and people have declared their song for this next round of multi-track recording.

Joe pointed out there is a Sam Lay documentary airing on WTTW this Thursday at 10pm and an interview with him and the director tonight, Tuesday, at 7pm on Chicago Tonight.

Class Notes

  • Final Take recording this time around is on May 1. Use the next few weeks to polish your song, nail your beginning and ending and be ready to record.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 482 #527)

Performances!!!

Last night was another terrific night of performances!

Joe also reminded folks of the importance of allowing for someone else to solo in your song. It is not about the solo; it is all about you becoming comfortable breaking your song up, cueing and accommodating someone else, comping behind them, then jumping back in when they are done. All great practice, so be sure to talk with someone ahead of time about participating in your song.

Here's the plan for our First Take recordings this time around. Due to some dates Al and Grant are out of town, the viable recording date will actually be the first day of the next session, May 1! Mark  your calendars and be sure that you have your song in mind next week when you come - it's time to start polishing.

Class Notes
  • Private lesson registration is now open. Act now to keep your slot with Joe if you have one.

Blues News

Blues Fest Schedule has been announced.

Chicago Blues Experience - Chicago is getting a blues museum in the Loop!

After much time away, our own Corporate Kirk is back on stage with Shoji Naito, April 8:


- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 481 #526)

Performances!!!
 
If you weren't in B1 last night, you missed some fun performances! New songs were debuted as the new session gets underway and there is some really fun collaboration going on.

And remember, if you're not part of the Performance Class at 8:00pm, you're always welcome to hang out and listen - it's often the best show in town!

Class Notes

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 480 #525)

Surprise Guest!!!
 
It pays to be in B1 - Dennis Gruenling dropped by on his way back from the Norway tour with Nick Moss so we got a great impromptu show! Don't miss Mondays. Killer harp playing, Dennis, thanks for stopping by.

For those who did miss it, keep your eyes on the calendar - Dennis and Nick are playing Blues Fest this year!

Class Notes
  • Remember to share your goals with Joe in order to receive better guidance - particularly advised for folks in the Performance Class.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 479 #524)

PT Review!!!
It was an amazing guest appearance last week with PT Gazell in the house and Joe took a few minutes last night to underline things and recap.

Joe pointed out PT is a unique player with incredibly strong pitch, tone and ear. It is super cool that he's reinvented himself and essentially been two different players in his life, a country and bluegrass player first and now a jazzy melody musician. There's a lot to be admired by the dedication he's shown to this new path.

It was profound info from PT that he emphasized learning the melodies so strongly. So, go learn your melodies!

And Joe was also taken by PT's description of having a "bucket of licks" that he draws from. Joe hears this in other great blues players too - Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin, Sugar Ray Norcia and more. Learn to draw from your own bucket and also be forever expanding it!

Regarding the half-valve harps, Joe advised to remember that accurate bends are still work. When asked about playing them in a blues context, he points out that blues is not just melody playing; it also makes heavy use of chords, so unless you retune, the half-valve is not going to sound like a blues instrument. And similarly, the "dirty notes" and difference tones that accompany them are also not the same on a half-valved harp. So think of the half-valve for melody playing - obviously PT is using them to their full advantage and strengths!

Class Notes
  • The new session kicked off last night but there's still time to register for classes!
  • Remember to share your goals with Joe in order to receive better guidance - particularly advised for folks in the Performance Class.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 478 #523)

PT Gazell!!!
 
We welcomed PT Gazell to class last night to play and talk about his jazzy playing.

Gazell's early career was in bluegrass and country, playing as a sideman to Johnny Paycheck and then chasing that Charlie McCoy style. He was a single note melody player. But then, as Joe describes it in the late 80's, there was a puff of smoke and PT disappeared from the scene.

What happened? As PT described it, 1988 was pre-Howard Levy and Gazell was just frustrated with the missing notes on the diatonic harp. He wanted to play fluid melodies and did not want to wrestle with the shortcomings of the chromatic. Plus, the western swing bands he was in at the time wanted him playing accurate lines in the horn section. In frustration, he put the harp down and didn't resurface until 2003 when he became exposed to the possibilities of a half-valved diatonic.

He has improved the valves now too and in partnership with Seydel offers the Gazell Method harmonicas, which you can order here.

Why play the half-valve? He offered three concise reasons:
  • You get all the notes  - three full octaves.
  • They follow the bending and flattening logic he grew up with - flat notes come from bending.
  • Extra emotion across all the reeds - because everything bends, he has expression everywhere.
Back to his playing. PT played a handful of tunes last night, including This Can't Be Love, The Thumb, Here There & Everywhere, and Just You, Just Me. And he spoke eloquently and thoughtfully about what he plays and how he gets there. He described learning to improvise and said, "Learn the melody so well that you don't have to think about it anymore."

Please re-read that quote. It is crucial to masterful playing. Once you're to that point with a melody, block it out and listen to the bass player.

Other improv ideas? Transpose a phrase over the changes - particularly moving a one chord lick to the IV chord. Jazz players do this a lot. Speaking of jazz players, he especially likes trumpet and clarinet players for inspiration.

As for particular players - Harry Sweets Edison, trumpet; Nat King Cole's early trio stuff; Ben Webster, sax; Johnny Hodges, sax; and the Benny Goodman sextet. His favorite music era was the 50's and 60's when these guys were playing and soloing over the melody rather than being scale-oriented.

He also talked about being inspired by the guitar player and taking his own solo off in a different direction just because of what he heard that other musician do. And he also says he has a "basket of licks" that he is always adding to and that he uses those licks as he writes little songs within a song.

It was a terrific night in B1 with a masterful musician. Thank you PT for visiting again!

Class Notes

  • Time to register for classes now!
Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 477 #522)

Final Take!!!
 
Last night was a fun time in B1! We ran Highway RickEy's cables and recorders and microphones and turned the room into a recording studio once again so people could lay down a polished version of the tune they've been working on. Performances were great...and then a surprise guest appeared who played on two jazzy tracks - thanks Dennis Gruenling for sitting in and making a couple recordings extra memorable!

Class Notes
  • Special guest - come out next Monday for PT Gazell who will be talking about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.
  • Harmonica Hoedown - Get your tickets now for this amazing show, Tuesday, February 28 at Martyr's. Performers include: PT Gazell, James Conway, Joe Filisko, Grant Dermody, Graham Nelson and of course, event organizer Bob Kessler.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 476 #521)

Rehearsal!!!
 
We're feeling ready for Final Take recordings next week! Performances were hot last night and people are pulling together great stuff. If you're in the Performance class, remember that we're going to have headphone capability this time around - bring along anything you have if you'd like to play with headphones on that give you a full mix of the band - fancy headphones or even just simple earbuds are ok. Not a requirement, but it's an option if you're interested in trying it.

See you in the B1 "recording studio" next week.

Class Notes
  • Ken stopped by last night with the announcement that he's starting a Chicago North Harmonica Meetup group - a chance once a month to talk, play, encourage others and even sing if you like. All levels welcome - first one is at the Elbow Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave. on Feb 23 from 7-9pm. More info.
  • Special guest - mark your calendar for Feb 27 as we'll have PT Gazell joining us to talk about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.
  • Harmonica Hoedown - Get your tickets now for this amazing show, Tuesday, February 28 at Martyr's. Performers include: PT Gazell, James Conway, Joe Filisko, Grant Dermody, Graham Nelson and of course, event organizer Bob Kessler.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 475 #520)

Review and Rehearsal!!!
 
Playing went long night as people are prepping songs for our recording session soon.

Joe did take a few minutes to again emphasize the importance of working a spot into your song that allows for another soloist - guitar or even another harp player - so that you can practice your accompaniment playing.

Also, learn to use a spotter. Pick out a friend in the audience in class who can watch and listen for trouble spots and shoot you signals about things you're working on or often forget - too loud? poor posture? Have someone point these things out to you.

Class Notes
  • The Performance Class will record this session on February 20.
  • Special guest - mark your calendar for Feb 27 as we'll have PT Gazell joining us to talk about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.
  • Harmonica Hoedown - Get your tickets now for this amazing show, Tuesday, February 28 at Martyr's. Performers include: PT Gazell, James Conway, Joe Filisko, Grant Dermody, Graham Nelson and of course, event organizer Bob Kessler.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 474 #519)

Accompaniment - Train Whistle Sustaining!!!

Joe introduced a new accompaniment technique last night he calls train whistle sustaining. This is using one of many chordal effects predominantly around the 4/5 draw (in second position). Options include the head shake (be sure to make it "dirty"), tongue shake, rapid vamping (better to let one melody note such as the 5 draw sustain while vamping, and speed is not important), and the 4 draw (dirty - with a little of 5 draw) with a throat tremolo.

The key points to remember with this are that you are not playing a lick, you are playing a sound, a chordal effect, and that the 4/5 draw notes work over all three chord changes and create bluesy dissonance. The organ sustaining technique we talked about previously is about playing the right chord; train whistle sustaining is about dissonance.

For extra credit, knowing this technique will save you when you get lost while playing or forget your lyrics. Fall back to a train whistle sustaining option and you'll sound like a blues player while you gather your thoughts.

Practice these and we'll work on them in class next week!

Class Notes
  • Special guest - Seth Shumate will be in B1 next Monday, February 6 to give an Old Time Music demo from 2:30-4:00pm. All are welcome.
  • The Performance Class will record this session on February 20.
  • Special guest - mark your calendar for Feb 27 as we'll have PT Gazell joining us to talk about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 473 #518)

Accompaniment - Organ Sustain!!!

We passed the mic last night and gave everyone a chance to work on their organ sustain sound. This is a great accompaniment tool to have in your quiver. Next up is the train whistle sustain. This is essentially a four/five draw chord sound. There are a bunch of options - head shake, tongue shake, rapid vamping, dirty 4 draw with throat tremolo. All good as long as the dominant sound is some chordal version of 4/5 draw.

You are not making a musical statement; it's a layer under the other musicians.

Practice these and we'll work on them in class next week!

Class Notes
  • Special guest - mark your calendar for Feb 27 as we'll have PT Gazell joining us to talk about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week (Week 472 #517)

Accompaniment - Organ Sustain!!!
 
We had a a great opportunity last night to work on organ sustain. Thanks to Bob for his original song which let us practice. Note the importance of NOT introducing rhythm to your playing when you're doing this technique. It is not an accompaniment method that should be adding rhythm to the song. Keep your sustain steady and even.

Keep practicing and we'll do it again in class next week!

Class Notes

  • Special guest - mark your calendar for Feb 27 as we'll have PT Gazell joining us to talk about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.
 - Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 471 #516)

Accompaniment - Organ Sustain!!!

Welcome to 2017! We had a packed class in B1 last night and a bunch of new, ambitious tunes and arrangements.

Joe squeezed in a short talk about accompaniment playing utilizing a technique he calls organ sustain, which means playing a steady pad of tone, usually a chord, underneath other players in the band. Organ sustaining is deceptive because it seems so easy, but there is still room for error. Steady breath control is one challenge as is choosing the right chords throughout the song form.

Practice your organ sustaining this week and be ready to demo it for Joe in class next week.

Also remember that Joe can be all the more helpful to you if you communicate your goals to him. Take him aside; email him; speak up in class - let him know what areas you most want to work on and improve in so he can focus on that with you.

Class Notes
  • There's still time to sign up for this new session.
  • Special guest - mark your calendar for Feb 27 as we'll have PT Gazell joining us to talk about his jazzy approach to diatonic playing.

Filisko & Noden Webcast

Joe and Eric will be offering their next online performance on Thursday January 19. These live webcasts are more informal than Joe and Eric's usual concert. Fans can request songs, make comments and leave tips and harass the artists. Don't miss your chance to see the roots duo live from anywhere! The show can be viewed on a smart phone, tablet or computer at Concert Window.

January 19 @ 19:30 CET (Europe) 12:30pm CDT (US)

Skip To My Lou

Joe's 2016 contest results for Skip To My Lou are in:
  • Best technique, sound and tone - Kokomo Kachalon
  • Most lively and energetic - Al Nemcek
  • Best arrangement - Bob Kunze
  • Best artwork - Pat Clancy
  • Honorable mention - Cliff Weber
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew