12th pos. The secret to overblowing & bending notes pt 1

Happy Birthday and Isn't She Lovely.

Also tips from the cosmos on how to bend and overblow.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Chris
• Michalek
• overbend
• overblow
• harmonica
• modes
• jazz
• howard
• levy
• how
• to
• blues
• harp
• diatonic
• lesson
• Ronnie
• Shellist
• carlos
• deljunco
• jason
• ricci

[markgharp]

Music is more about emotional content than technique, so your idea of "best harmonica player in the world" is subjective. I've heard what you don't like, which seems to be a lot: Little Walter, the harmonica itself...how about the Harmonicats.. they're playing at a very high technical level, but are also fun and entertaining. Why don't you play us a song? Thrill us with your virtuosity. Try to make us feel something with music.

[chrismichalek]

@markgharp there are lots videos out there that feature me playing music. I like the harmonicats. When I was first learning to play, I was part of a club that played that type of music, you probably would have liked my music then because I played the chromatic instead of the harp. I was very entertaining to watch but I would often forget to push the button.

[jsilvatx]

just curious how long have you played? i have a long way to go 1 year down yet it feels like a month lol! good job! and great lesson! thank you

[chrismichalek]

I've been playing over 20 years. I've always had a harmonica, I can remember playing when I was 10 but I didn't get serious until I was 17 that's when I decided I wanted to be the best harmonica player in the world. I don't know if I'll ever achieve that but it was my goal back then.

[mottag8830]

that's funny becuase i wanted to be the best harmonica player ever too. Now my more realistic goal is to be totally proficient at jazz.

[chrismichalek]

why stop trying to be the best? I'm not going to quit that quest.

[surrealIdeal]

@StefanosArapoglou Chris is no more. just sayin'.

[StefanosArapoglou]

@chrismichalek Well, good luck getting past jason ricci..

[SocraticRaver]

straw trick really helps... sweet

[BzBlade]

@cliffworks4321 I think your blowing too hard

[cliffworks4321]

@chrismichalek I love your vibrato Chris. btw I still can't get smooth overblows on the RSleigh diatonic, only screech overblows.

[x2mars]

i'm with you, but what note is the over blow in happy birthday? is it a Bb? what hole is the overblow? sorry, i'm new to overblow and 12th position. Thanks!

[Stevelegh]

Hi Chris,

Scrub that, F on a C harp right? Just caught part 2..... Thanks for the lessons.

[Stevelegh]

Hey Chris,

Sorry to ask the question (worst possible question ever!!!), but what key harp are you playing? Isn't She Lovely is in E, so am I right to think you're using a B harp? That seems to be correct the 12th possition according to Angelfire, but I'll be soo annoyed to blow the cash on a new harp if I'm wrong.

Regards

Steve

[LinkjeZ]

So you can play in all 12 positions.. Does that mean you always play the same key of harp? And if so, what key, and are there any advantages to that key or can you do it with any key of harmonica? Thanks!!

[markgharp]

@chrismichalek I was just ribbing you man, nice t o see you have a sense of humor.