Tuesday, March 12, 2019

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 560 #606)

Breathing

Joe took time out from the call and response we've been doing to work on a problem he's seeing in players as they do this exercise - breath control.

You won't have that blues horsepower without having control of your breathing. Long, swooping blues phrases need to be legato and connected and can't end in a fizzle because you've run out of air. Deep, resonant tone on your chordal effects playing can't be pinched off and cut short because you don't have breath to carry them. And yes, second position blues playing, the core of what we do, is inhale playing, so you have to learn to start truly empty...and chances are very high you are not.

To prove it and help us connect better to full and empty, Joe timed us on a long exhale note. His reasoning is, most everyone could exhale for at least 8 seconds. And that's enough to do the inhale required for the two bar call and response work we've been doing. BUT you have to start empty.

Learn to find empty and be more comfortable there!

Class Notes

  • Thanks to all who've registered for this session!

Buddy Guy Is Keeping the Blues Alive

He's not a harp player, but he's a blues elder and this is a great dive into one of the last remaining greats. Thanks to Leo for tipping us off to this story.

Buddy Guy Is Keeping the Blues Alive, The New Yorker Magazine

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew