Announcements Harp Tips 

Isolating Single Notes

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This information is given from a lip-pursed embouchure perspective, but may be useful for other embouchures. Audio files are based on a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in C major.

Newcomers to the harmonica can often find it difficult to play accurate single notes. Which is perfectly understandable. Let’s be honest, there really isn’t much to aim at. Plus the concepts of embouchure for accurate intonation and diaphragmatic breathing for tone have yet to be fully explored. Everyone has their own approach to gathering single note skills and some will find success sooner than others. If you are finding this skill elusive and frustrating however, don’t give up. It’s not that you can’t do it, just that you can’t do it yet. Give it time and you will get it. If this is your experience, welcome to the harmonica! Let’s run through a few ideas that may help you in your quest for isolating single notes.

Airtight
For the best tone and accuracy, first we need to eliminate any leakiness. This means placing your lips right round the mouth piece, with the corners of your mouth supportive but not rigid, and lips pushed slightly forward but not stiff. And drop that jaw. Remember also that each hole has dividers either side, so your target area is nearly twice as wide as your eyes might tell you. There is a margin around each hole. Pushing the harmonica into your lips will actually improve your accuracy, airtightness and tone.


Posture
Next you should remember to relax your posture. This includes your shoulders, neck, jaw and tongue. Make sure you’re not slumped or leaning on elbows either, as this compromises deep breathing from your diaphragm. If your cheeks are puffing in and out as you play, this probably means you are not moving warm air from deep down in your abdomen and your tone will suffer as a consequence. (more…)

Announcements 

Tuesday Evening Zoom Workshop – 12th Dec 2024

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We look forward to welcoming you at The Harp Surgery.

On our menu this week:
Warm Up – 2nd position blues scale, holes 1-6
BLUES FOCUS – What to play over the IV chord in a twelve bar blues
Ear Training – Identify the key and harp position of our randomly selected track

Schedule : Tuesdays 7.00-8.00pm (UK)
Platform : Zoom
Entry : £10.00 GBP payable in advance
Sign up : paypal.me/harpsurgery (more…)

Announcements 

Harmonica Lesson Gift Vouchers

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The Perfect Musical Gift
What could be better than starting the New Year learning harmonica with a highly experienced, professional harmonica tutor (as heard on BBC TV).

Harp Surgery tutors students every day all around the world over Zoom, and one-to-one in the comfort of the Harp Surgery itself in Brighton & Hove (UK).

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or it’s just for fun, this is the perfect way to show a loved one how much you care. Simply purchase a lesson, or multiple lessons, in advance and we will email you a voucher to print out at home.

How to order
Using our contact page, text, call or email an outline of what you would like arranged and we will get things swiftly underway.

Price list
Adults:   30 mins £28.00 / 45 mins £42.00 / 55 mins £49.00
5-17 yrs: 30 mins £25.00 / 45 mins £38.00 / 55 mins £45.00

Package Deals
Pay for four and half lessons and get a fifth lesson free. All lessons must be used within three months of their purchase date. Pay for nine lessons and get a tenth lesson free. All lessons must be used within six months of their purchase date.

Can I buy a harmonica too?
Most certainly! We can advise you on the best instrument for the job and to suit your budget. Once payment is received, and postage time allowing, we will ship the harmonica to your preferred delivery address ready for the special occasion. Our recommended starter harmonica is a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C.

Where do lessons take place?
If you live near Brighton & Hove (UK), you can enjoy your lesson(s) in comfort right here at the Harp Surgery. Alternatively lessons are delivered online using Zoom, which is ideal for remote harmonica learning. Music lesson for children are usually 30 minutes. Music lessons for adults are usually 55 minutes. Other options are also available (see price list above).

Terms and conditions
The first lesson must be taken within 90 days of the date of purchase, which will be printed on your voucher. 10 lesson packages must then be completed within six months from the date of purchase, and five lesson packages within 3 months from the date of purchase.

Refunds
Once purchased, vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Harp Tab How Do They Do That? 

Introduction to Sonny Boy II Harmonica Technique

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Rice MillerDon’t start me talking, I’ll tell you everything I know

Elwood reminded folks at the Harp Surgery it’s the anniversary of Sonny Boy II’s birthday this week. How about we tab out one of his monster tracks? he suggested. The Doc stroked his goatee and lifted his bowler down from the coat stand. No need to tab one number, young Elwood, we’ll do them ALL he replied. But how is that possible? quizzed Elwood.

The Doc raised a sagely eyebrow. Once you’ve mastered his trademark cross-harp licks and timing, my boy, you can tackle much of his material. Then it’s a case of studying the first position harp work, timing and tone. But always remember you will never sound exactly like the master, nor should you . Elwood started warming his favourite blues burger. So where do we begin? he asked. From the turn around, answered the Doc, it’s his signature lick. It goes like this…


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Harp Tips 

Which Keys Do I Need?

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The keys to success
Different players and tutors will give different answers depending on their experience and personal preference. The choice is subjective and may also be steered by budget. From a practical perspective however, there are keys that are used a lot and others that tend to gather dust. Here’s our take.

A complete set of regular tuned harps will have twelve keys : A  Bb  B  C  Db  D  Eb  E   F   F# G  Ab

Most players start with a C harmonica. This is mid-range tonally and most tutorial information is published in this key. Next up are  A  D  G  F  and Bb. These keys are used most often on the band stand, when jamming and when learning from recordings by the greats.

We then recommend a Low F. A regular F is very high tonally. A Low F lends itself to blow bending in holes 8-10. It’s also good for familiarising with the feel of Low tunings. Then we’d recommend Eb and Ab, and finally B, Db, E and F#. From experience, these last four are used least frequently.

You might also like to supplement your spread with a High G. Tonally a normal G is the lowest of the regular tunings. There may be the odd occasion when you want to work in a higher pocket. Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini is an example.

How low can you go?
From here, and if you’re willing to splash out, you can add your choice of Low tunings. These are an octave below regular tuned harps. They are not only ideal for creating a darker mood, but also for occupying a lower pocket when accompanying, for example, slide guitar. Listen to recordings by Son of Dave for an idea of how great these sound, and also Mr Lucky by Gary Primich.

Announcements 

In Memorium – Mark Hughes of Split Rivvit

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Mark Hughes (right)

Dear Harp Surgery, I’m Mark Hughes’ sister Isobel. It’s been over 20 years since he died, and there is still rarely a day that passes without me thinking of him. Today would have been his 65th birthday. It’s heartwarming to read about Mark and the rest of the the band, bringing back the happier memories.

My siblings and I have only a couple of photos of Split Rivitt, so I was excited to read that Charlie has lots (hi Charlie!) – it would be wonderful to have some copies. I hope all is well with you, Dave W, Chris and Dave L. It would be lovely to hear from you. Isobel x

Thanks for your message Isobel – here’s some footage from the BBC’s Nationwide programme back in the day, featuring Mark in the studio with Johnny Mars, Mark Feltham and Skid Stuart. Sending you love and best wishes from everyone at the Harp Surgery.

If anyone has any memorabilia we can add to our Split Rivitt archive, please message us through our contact page. Harp Surgery visitors can enjoy the Split Rivitt archive here.