You get the biggest return on investment practicing your harmonica train imitation.
Joe talked about the train as a crucial Fundamental and reviewed how to work at it:
- start and end with a whistle (usually 4/5 draw)
- play 2 inhale then 2 exhale breaths
- always include holes 1 and 2
- play from your throat; no articulation
If you've ever been told you have rhythm challenges, or breathing challenges, or want to be a serious player, practice your train at least 5 minutes every other day.
And remember too that while you play the train, you should be working at varying your mouth tone. Many people pick up the harp and lock into ONE mouth tone and that's all they have. Great players improvise with tone. Move the back of your tongue and reshape your mouth to vary your tone while working on your train. It gives you those authentic train variances and will make all your blues playing better!
Class Notes
- Thanks to all who came out to the Harlem Avenue Harp Party last week. It was a big success.
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew
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