YouTubeLessonNotes.rtf

Thanks to the prodigious work of one of my YouTube subscribers, Dewey DeLoe, we now have an index to the first 100+ videos that I've uploaded.

"Index" is a misnomer. What DD has done is take scrupulous notes, including partial transcriptions of my mini-lectures, in a way that will greatly facilitate your self-study--if, that is, you're one of those people who have resolved to work your way through the riches of my videos and transform your blues harmonica playing.

This is a 98-page document! More than 50,000 words! Only $1! In combination with my YouTube lessons, this is an unmatchable deal.

Just so you'll know what you're getting into, here is DD's complete entry for video lesson .003

003 One Hole Draw and Good Vibrato

Clear, strong single notes (cont'd). 1 Hole Draw. The secrets of good vibrato.

How important is 2 hole draw?
It is the tonic note and yet some otherwise, great players do not even have it.
The solution:
Make your lips fat.
Tap your foot for 7 beats and play 2 hole draw clearly and loud as possible.
No vibrato.
On the 8th beat let the harp slide away some and exhale all the air you have built up. Exhale partially thru it and around it. Note: mostly over top.
Continue this and dont stop beats.
Do this every time you pick up the harp. Do this at least for 4 Bars.
Get the good tight embouchure.

Vibrato is the difference between a player who is OK or someone you want to sit and soak it up. He learned vibrato with the coughing technique probably the Paul Butterfield way.
What you are doing is causing your epiglottal stop to act similar to you clapping your hands. This is not an efficient way to produce vibrato. What you want is your hands apart but moving towards and away from each other.
So how did his teacher do it? One is, he had clear tone.
He could even get a controlled vibrato at low volumes.
Plays good example @ 4:16.

How can you get good vibrato?
Take whatever vibrato you have and use it for 7 beats while tapping your foot and then exhale all the excess air through and around the harp on 8. It took Adam two years to get it right.

Dont hide from what you have. Confront it.
Use the bad vibrato with a beat and keep coming at it. Work on it.
Eventually you will learn to relax. Part of what you are doing wrong is tightening up.
Do it for 5 minutes at a time every day at beginning and end of practice.
Do not overdo it at one setting or you will not be able to talk the next day.
Over time it will transform itself.
When 2 hole draw gets pretty good go to 1 hole draw.

Plays a slow bluesy song @ 5:26.