I spent two and half hours today with a professional harmonica player/teacher. It was terrific. Three students, of varying musical background, were part of the class .
The teacher, Brian McInnis, is super. An accomplished player, well schooled in music theory, hardware and style.
As a teacher he is approachable. Answering numerous beginner questions and giving great insight to practicing and the scope of this instrument.
He also offered up his learning from his work with a professional opera singer about using your diaphragm when playing.Â
You leave the class with a harmonica. Plus his book containing exercises, scales, licks, songs, including explanations on note bending, note articulation and more.
On top of that Brian hands you a CD with 75 tracks of the songs and exercises. That way you know how you’re suppose to sound.
What’s great is during the class Brian walks you through the fundamentals. Then jumps around the book picking out choice practice examples which let you get the feel for the basics. At the same time showing you how to combine these to put together blues sounds.
Sweet!
The Dog
The Dog accompanies my playing. Either a single note or full chord starts him howling. He has never shown this behavior before. I refuse to believe the stereotype that dogs only howl when they hear something painful.
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Watch Out Bob Dylan….
I always wanted to learn the “Harp” – or is that have a Harp on Tap
Actually, it is both.
First the Harp on tap