Tuesday, April 27, 2010

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 171 #214)

Found Love!!!
Joe taught Jimmy Reed's tune, "Found Love" this week. The transcription is here.

While so much modern harmonica playing focuses on playing licks, this song is a great example of a player focusing on the sound of the instrument and the notes he plays. It doesn't get more minimal than this, but it is a great example of playing for a good sound.

This song also led to a lecture on blow bending techniques. Joe will be teaching a class on Jimmy Reed in San Jose in May, so for those of you who want to hear Joe's blow bending tips and tricks, that will be the next place to catch it! In the meantime, this advice from Joe:

"Practice blow bending responsibly to avoid divorce papers!"

Upcoming Recital Notes!
Juke practice next week! We will be reprising Shoji's wonderful ensemble arrangement of Juke for this recital, so brush it off and be ready for a few practices at 1:30pm and 7:45 pm in the coming weeks. This song will happen during "prime time" at the recital -- sometime between 8:30 and 11:00pm. This ensemble piece is open to all those who truly want to be involved.

Welcome New Students!!!
We've got a lot of new students in class this session and the YouMissedMonday newsletter would like to welcome them to class!

Note that if you're a new student who did not have a recorder last night, Al Taylor recorded Joe playing your material and we can forward that audio to you. Just send an email to: info@youmissedmonday.com, and we'll set you up!

Shoji Naito Play-Along Tracks!!!
Shoji has put together a webpage with an ever-expanding list of play-along tracks, including a new one for Ends & Odds. Check the page out and communicate with him via email to purchase these great learning tools!

Class Notes

  • It is looking very promising that living legend Jerry Portnoy will be coming to town for our Third Annual Chicago Blues Harp Bash in September. Joe asks that you step forward if you have access to airline miles or hotel credit that we could use to help defray costs for hosting Mr. Portnoy. Help make this happen! This will be a rare opportunity to see Jerry Portnoy perform and speak in class.
  • We'll have Morry Sochat, front man and harmonica player for the Special 20s, in class on May 10. This will be a chance for him to give us road stories and tell us his secrets to getting bookings, and he'll have copies of his brand new CD for sale, "Eatin' Dirt".
Newsletter News!!!
The newsletter and more is always online! Check it out for more details on newsletter items, a calendar of local gigs, jams, birthdays, archives, links, videos and special features.

We welcome your input. If you're inspired to write a review of a live show, CD, DVD or book, please submit it to us for consideration.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew