2 nights 2 gigs

Really good fun and am enjoying playing miked up a bit more. It is a case of experience breeds confidence. The only thing now is that I would like to be able to hear myself more (but that's something which every member of the band says.)

Anyway, tired but happy.

Two many drivers

So, I have had the song for a while and am working it up to play with the band. I haven't really developed an effective vibrato but I am cheating with a jaw wobbling effect! I am really enjoying playing the riffs and an secretly quite pleased with how I am sounding. A bit more practice and it will be ready to unleash on an unsuspecting public!

Too Many Drivers

Finally tracked down Paul Butterfield's Too Many Drivers and absolutely love it! Plenty of things to really get my teeth into with triplets and quicker runs. Need to work on the vibrato I think too.

Middlefest

Rain! Playing on a balcony. Didn't go too well. Don't care because it's the last one of the summer and now I get a rest! The gapping worked really well and the harp played nicely (even if I did miss a few notes).

Gaps

I've tried to change the gapping on the Special 20 twice now. The reason I wanted to do it was that sometimes the #4 draw is very sluggish to respond. I don't think I draw particularly hard through the instrument but it still takes a moment to sound and sometimes doesn't sound at all. Doesn't inspire confidence, especially as, once I get in the 'zone' at a gig, I tend to play louder which makes the problem worse.

Anyway, I gapped it using a petrol receipt! It seems to have had a positive effect and the hole responds quickly now. Last time the effect did not last so, hopefully, this time it will be permanent.

Gig on Sunday! Looking forward to it. Last night's pub practice went well. :) yay!

Mordon Fest

Huge fun! The family came, horrible rain but I enjoyed playing. It didn't sound too bad either!

Yay!!

To Mordon!

Mordon Fest on Saturday. Bit nervous already as I was given a solo in Grapevine last night. It's in Cm. I can't play it 3rd position on my Bb because the 5 hole draw is broken, so I'm going to play 2nd on the F harp which means that my flattened 3rds must be in tune. eeeek.

Year over

So that's it... 1 year of harmonica practice. I think I have done fairly well over the year and although I haven't put in as much time as I wanted to, I have still improved.

1) Improve pitch of flattened third. TICK :)

2) Play faster. er sort of but still want to speed up more.

3) Tongue block octaves. Yep got it, sounds good TICK :)

4) Play 3rd position. Great for minor blues work. TICK :)

5) Get a warmer sound. Still miles off with this. Can't do the breathing. Yet.

6) More licks into playing. I have a few more in place but want to work more on this.

7) 4/5 trills. Sounding pretty good! TICK :)

So that's 4 from 7. Pretty good. And when I consider how my playing in the band has come on over the last year, I am feeling happy with my efforts.

I think I'll set some more targets for the coming year...

A bit of progress

Ha ha!

Getting the hang of wide trills. Sounding quite good on the 4/5 draw warble.

Also really pleased with how the tongue blocking is coming along. I can find the gap much more quickly and make a good sound.

Oh and I almost forgot, I bought a new harp (in C) Christmas. It's a Special 20. I really like it, very easy to bend the notes. I really find the plastic comb comfortable to play too.

A good gig

Been playing a lot. Last night was a good gig. I think I'm starting to get the hang of playing amped up.

Used my new G harp (Blues Harp Hohner) Still disappointed that one low draw reed sounds off. Perhaps it will play in?