Blues and Melody Harmonica Full Course
Whether you're a complete beginner or you've been playing for a while, learn more blues harmonica techniques and musical concepts, such as blues structure, slides, bends, tremolos, improvisation, playing with others and more.
M. Andrew Bishko
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(254)
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
This class starts from the beginning and goes deep into the blues, and explores the beginning stages of playing melodies on the diatonic 10-hole harmonica. After a little harmonica history, learning what makes the harmonica unique among instruments, and blues history and culture, we'll get right into some serious blues jam sessions. We will learn the basic harmonica techniques of playing one hole at a time and move on to more advanced blues harmonica techniques and musical concepts. Topics include blues structure, slides, bends, tremolos, improvisation, playing with others and more. We'll also learn how to think of and play the notes on the harmonica where you can learn to play your favorite melodies with tabs and by ear. We'll learn how to breathe to produce the notes you want, how to hold the harmonica to get your best tone and mobility, Highly interactive online classes will include group instruction on concepts and techniques, group practice, individual practice, one-on-one bursts with the instructor.... and plenty of jamming!
Learning Goals
Week 1:
Basic harmonica technique:
- blowing, drawing,
- playing on one hole at a time
- how to hold the harmonica
Basic blues techniques.
Jam session
Week 2:
Technique review - one hole at a time
Bending notes
Tremolo
Principles of music improvisation
Blues structure
Jam session
Week 3:
Technique review- one hole at a time
Playing single note melodies
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Blues structure review
Phrasing
Jam session
Week 4:
The C major scale
Oh When the Saints in C
Bending review
Blues review
Jam session
Week 5:
The G blues scale
Bending review
Oh When the Saints in G with bend
Jam session
Week 6:
Review songs
Melodies by request
Blues review
Jam session
Other Details
Supply List
The student will need to own or purchase a 10-hole diatonic harmonica, in the key of "C". Any Hohner product - from the $8 plastic line on up - will be sufficient for this class. Suzuki harmonicas are also a good choice. Please note: tremolo and chromatic harmonicas are NOT suitable for this class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2016
4.9
254reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Andrew Bishko, M.M., is a master music teacher who is committed to making music accessible to all. For 30 years his innovative approach as reached hundreds of private students (adults and children), thousands of college students, and as Head Educator for online adult music education company Musical U, thousands more. He also loves to jam the blues :-)Reviews
Live Group Class
$120
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 64 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-12
6-8 learners per class
This class is no longer offered
Financial Assistance
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