Harmonica Fundamentals with Joe Filisko - Active Blues Breathing
Jun 20, 2020
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Chicago based harmonica guru Joe Filisko discusses the second fundamental of playing harmonica called active blues breathing, while also having tangents about Paul Butterfield and Little Walter. They explore the distinctions between Sunnitary and Chicago blues styles. The playing style of Paul Butterfield is analyzed. The concept of active blues breathing and controlling airflow is discussed, along with understanding upper and lower range in breathing. The chapter concludes by looking ahead to chords and tongue blocking as the next topic.
Proper breathing technique, specifically active blues breathing, is crucial for enhancing harmonica playing and should not be overlooked.
Little Walter's genius in harmonica playing was attributed to his skillful use of breathing techniques, emphasizing exhaling notes as a means to access more expressive areas of the harmonica.
Deep dives
The Importance of Active Blues Breathing
One of the main ideas discussed in this podcast episode is the significance of active blues breathing when playing the harmonica. The host and guest emphasize that proper breathing technique is often misunderstood and overlooked. They explain that there are different states of breathing, including relaxed, full, and empty. They highlight the importance of accessing and controlling the lower range of breathing to enhance harmonica playing. They also discuss the concept of exhale push and nose push, which involve expelling air before playing to maximize breath capacity and improve expression.
The Genius of Little Walter's Harmonica Playing
Another key point explored in this episode is the genius of legendary harmonica player Little Walter. The host and guest analyze Little Walter's playing and specifically focus on his skillful use of breathing techniques. They highlight how Walter utilized exhaling notes as a way to hide the fact that he was getting rid of air, allowing him to access the more expressive areas of the harmonica. They also emphasize that Little Walter's breath control and understanding of breathing contributed greatly to his unique harmonica style.
Recognizing Upper and Lower Range Breathing
The podcast delves into the concept of upper and lower range breathing. The hosts explain that spending too much time in the upper range of breathing can lead to tension and suboptimal performance. They encourage harmonica players to consciously move into the lower range of breathing, where there are no signs of distress on the face. They also emphasize the importance of recognizing and understanding one's breathing patterns through self-observation and video analysis to improve breath control and overall harmonica playing.
Lee Sankey continues his discussion with Chicago based harmonica guru Joe Filisko about his Five Fundamentals for Playing the Harmonica. In this episode Lee and Joe cover the second fundamental Active Blues Breathing, with some tangents about Paul Butterfield and Little Walter.