The Reedplate

Harmonica Fundamentals with Joe Filisko - Single Notes and Tongue Blocking

Jul 7, 2020

Joe Filisko, an expert harmonica player and instructor, joins Lee Sankey to discuss harmonica fundamentals. Topics include bending tongue blocked notes, Sonny Boy Williamson's technique, feathering notes, accessing genres like cajun music, and the time it takes to learn these techniques.

01:16:50

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Episode guests

Joe Filisko

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Quick takeaways

Proper breathing techniques and understanding chords are fundamental for playing harmonica and playing along with others.

Tongue blocking is a technique that allows you to create various tones and textures by blocking certain holes.

Mastering the skills of playing single notes and combining them with tongue blocking enables greater expressiveness and the ability to create chords and dirty notes.

Deep dives

Fundamental 1: Learning the chords and how to breathe

Learning the chords and how to breathe is the first fundamental in playing the harmonica. Chords are the building blocks of music and understanding them allows you to play along with others. Proper breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, are essential for creating a consistent sound and maintaining control while playing.

Playing Single Notes and Bends on the Harmonica: Tensions and Struggles

01:42

Tongue-blocking for High-End Runs and Sustaining Notes in Harmonica Playing

01:21

Exploring the Use of Tongue Blocking in Harmonica Playing

01:17

Introduction

4min

Playing Dirty and Adding Bluesy Notes

8min

Tongue-Blocking vs. Lip-Pursing Techniques on the Harmonica

22min

Clean Single Notes and the Role of Tongue Blocking

12min

Tongue Blocking Techniques and Advantages

14min

Developing a Unique Harmonica Style

6min

Mastering Splits and Tongue Blocking for a New Harmonica Sound

9min

Lee Sankey continues his deep dive into the fundamentals of playing the harmonica with Joe Filisko. In this episode Joe and Lee discuss fundamental number four - Single Notes and Tongue Blocking.

This is a monster, 1 hour and 15 minute unashamed, geek out on topics such as bending tongue blocked, how Sonny Boy Williamson used full tongue blocks to get his attack, how to feather notes, accessing genre's like cajun music and just how long it takes to learn some of these techniques.

SPECIAL LIVE EVENT - Look out for details of a special live online event about this series where you can ask Joe and I questions about the themes we've been exploring. To hear about the date and how to get tickets subscribe to my newsletter at leeesankey.com or follow my Facebook page.

Get in touch with your suggestion, ideas and comments - info@leesankey.com

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