I subscribe to David's "harmonicamasterclass" channel on youtube, and he recently posted a 10 minute preview of his new website BluesHarmonica.com that he's going to release on December 20th this year. He says that he's been working on the material (e.g. video interviews and lessons) for 3 years, and it looks pretty interesting to me:
Disclaimer - I also take lessons from David, but don't have any financial interest in the site. Having been there, it's fascinating to me to see who he's actually had in the office/practice space.
I don't see that he'll be touching any new ground with the new website other than putting everything in one place. That being said for a beginner/advanced beginner/early intermediate I don't think you can go wrong with Dave's instructional materials.
---------- ~Ryan Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
It sure has my interest--I have learned a lot from Dave's top-notch materials--and I went to a masterclass in San Jose last May--Dave is a great teacher--and a great person in general--I'll be interested to see what he will offer on this new site. . .
Last Edited by on Nov 25, 2009 1:42 PM
Jacob, H.A.R.P. is a "club" of guys & gals that get together in Philadelphia, PA like every other month to discuss harmonica and jam. If you'd like more info let me know you can message me at my youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/hessonr .
---------- ~Ryan Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
One harmonica teacher to (or commenting on) another: I think it's pretty cool stuff. I recognize a kindred spirit in Dave. He really knows how to make the sounds, he understands what he's doing (i.e., the underlying melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic justification), and he really knows how to explain stuff clearly.
Since I'm all about individuality as well as proficiency, of course I'm watching what he's doing (as a teacher) with the hawk-eyes of a rabid competitor, too. And what I see is an important difference between his teaching style and mine, at least as that style involves the creation of an on-camera persona: perhaps since my day-job involves being Professor Gussow, at the school of Ole Miss, teaching harmonica for me is a way of breaking past all the formalities. ModernBluesHarmonica.com aims to transmit some precise, intelligent, deep, and soulful harmonica playing, but I'm also, and consciously/semi-consciously trying to keep alive the anarchic spirit of the instrument. (I'm willing to make mistakes on camera, for example. I can't imagine DB allowing that to happen and gaily highlighting his own flaws.) Spreading the gospel of anarchic soulful harp-energy doesn't seem to be one of Dave's goals. Nothing wrong with that. Jon Gindick, at the opposite extreme, is willing to sacrifice precision for the sake of creating a welcoming embrace that ALSO very much keeps alive the anarchic spirit.
What this means is that I've positioned myself perfectly between too-tight and too-loose. :) We're swinging, baby. (I could work very well with either of these guys and of course have worked repeatedly with Jon, to highly constructive effect. I'm sure Dave and I will work together at some future moment.)
For the record: ModernBluesHarmonica.com offers NO lessons about how to improvise blues harmonica. But on my FAQs page, I refer people to David Barrett's book on the subject. My anarchic spirit hasn't done pedagogical justice, yet, to the subject. I bow to the master.
Last Edited by on Nov 28, 2009 8:05 PM
You have a gentle soul! Like you stated "I recognize a kindred spirit in Dave" You are both masters in your own right! You both set your own place in Harmonica History! Dave for being the most prolific writer of harmonica instruction, and you for being one of the first commercial recorded overblowers in the mid 80's!!!.......Also the FIRST and most prolific (to this date) youtube harmonica instructor! Adam, you set your place in history! No need to worry! It's apples and oranges. You carved your own niche. This is now a global realm! Adam,if you choose, people will always love to receive, add to, and promote what you have to offer.
I see Dave's as the "Suzuki method" strict, precise, and by the numbers. For the classic music student. Your method on the other hand is the "journeyman's" "YOU ARE OUR NAT RIDDLES!" Lessons not from a book and CD, it's like private lessons in your home, in your car and sitting next to you on your back porch.
I know for Dave teaching is his full time job! Although, remember that you have the world by your side. we are with you Adam!
Last Edited by on Nov 30, 2009 12:58 PM
I think that there is going to be plenty of room for both sites to grow. This site is, I believe, always going to be home base. Two guys with different styles. I am a pretty unstructured cuss myself. Will check out the site. When I crank up the browser, this is the first place I stop and I do not expect that to change but i am looking forward to seeing what's up with the new site as well. Your videos and Jon G's book showed me the way.
I am not sure how successful David Barretts site will be given the monthly subscription. This isn't a comment on his quality of instruction, which appears to be excellent. The reason I bought Gussow's lessons when he also has almost 200 for free is that I buy them and they are mine. I can pay $5 and re use them as many times as I want, revisit them, and improve with them over months. Maybe I'm the only one with this mindset and I could be wrong, but that is my bet.
I would imagine that once you have paid your monthly subscription you would be able to then download the lessons in video format, PDF's, etc.
In a few weeks we should have all the answers to our questions when the site finally goes live.
Sadly, I noticed that David seems to have removed his harp cupping video on YouTube. Which is a shame as it was a great demonstration of the subtleties of cupping both acoustically and with a mic. I guess it will appear as a subscribed download on his new site.
You gentlemen make excellent points. Yes, I did find out about Adam's site through his free stuff and have lots of "buy them, download them and keep using them forever for $5.00) lessons" on my computer. You can become a pretty good player with just Adam's free stuff, and it is all still up there. Nothing wrong with making a buck, but... We'll see.
I've got one of Barrett's books and it is thorough & excellent.
This guy represents the union of classical pedagogy & harp. Can only be good for harp. No offense or discount intended toward Adam Gussow, Harp Soul Messenger Extraordinaire.
This is being done successfully with guitar, check out Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute and Andreas Olberg. The Bruno Institute is exceptional because he exchanges videos with each student.
For me both Adam and David Barrett have been very important instructors. Actually I find out about David from Adams FAQ and the books (especially the "play-along trax" and "improvising blues harmonica") have been my main source for learning how to play.
Adam's youtube videos on the other hand have been an inspiration for me to drive time & effort for learning how to play. I have mostly watched those in my work office to have a break from the routines and thus I really haven't been able to actually practice many of the things Adam has showed - it has been more of a study for the attitude and inspiration.
I haven't really tried any of the Adam's commercial lessons (and actually I rarely remember there are those because I usually just come straight to this forum) but now that I have already bought (and learned a lot from) David's books it would be fair for me to try out Adam's commercial lessons too.
I have most of Adam's lessons from the store and at least a half dozen book/cd/dvd resources of Dave B. Both incredibly useful. As for online materials I much prefer a pay-as-you-go system. Also, every one of Adams lessons are useable as you grow as a player. He shows you twelve bars or more step by step, introduces level appropriate techniques within those bars and usually improvises (using the taught material as a base) to help you use this material as you mature. I hope Dave B. does more song based instruction at his new site as well, as I simply find it more relevant as a student player.
FYI - David Barrett's new site bluesharmonica.com is now online. If you're just curious there are still two free lessons, and he also has a contributors' corner that is free for now. If you've wondered what taking lessons from David is like look at Joe Tartaglia's videos.
A brief comparison between this and Howard Levy's site. (I have not signed into the paid portion of David's site - but I have taken face-to-face lessons with him. So I may have missed some features of David's site.) David's is specifically targeted at blues, whereas Howard's is more general. David provides written material, and Howard does not. My understanding is that interaction with David is through audio files (I think that these are private and not shared with everyone but I'm not 100% sure), and with Howard it's done through videos that are shared with everyone on the site.
I'm not sure how to compare the amount of material on the two sites, and am not sure how they will each grow over time. Neither site seems to encourage the downloading of videos. David's site does allow you to download written materials and backing tracks. Howard does have some intermediate and above backing tracks that can be downloaded.
David has interviews with other notable players (not sure how many), and I don't believe that Howard does this. But Howard's site seems more "social" in nature. They are trying to create an online community with forums, the shared videos, chat room, etcetera.
David's site is ~$17/month and Howard is $20 (3 month minimum commitment.) I would say that both are a bargain when you compare them to the cost of a private lesson. If you're primarily a blues player it seems like a no-brainer to sign up for David's site just to check it out. Worst case you'll be out ~$17 and you'll have some materials that you can continue to use. If want to move beyond the blues and are willing to put in some additional work (since IMHO Howard doesn't hand it to you on a silver platter) then go with Howard. With either one you're going to be able to view some material that is worth watching.
Adam's lessons are still worth a look. As far as I know he's the only one of these 3 that will sell you a downloadable video lesson for a flat fee. And Adam's system of transcription might be easier for non-music readers. David has a good method worked out (you can even download the notation guide for free if you're interested), but Adam's might be easier for people in terms of the rhythm. And of course if you're reading this, then you know that Adam does the "social" part for free right here.
Edited to add - even though I'm not signed up on David's site, I have seen many of the lessons. He actually first offered some for sale about a year ago in his newsletter, and has been using them in private lessons.
Last Edited by on Dec 23, 2009 9:58 PM
I've got several of David's instructional books, DVDs, and CDs. I like them and have learned alot.
I just got my first lesson and tab from Adam through "the store" on this forum. I am an intermediate player, and the video/tab combination that Adam offers is the easiest, most productive instruction that I've come across. (also a great value)
Last Edited by on Dec 23, 2009 4:19 PM
I have been subscribed to David's and must say that KeithE is right on: David's is very good, even better, for blues harmonica than Howards. Howard's site is actually very general, much like classical music education: here is a phrase, play it that way, more expression, more "color" etc. I much prefer Adam's method of instruction and now Davids. I will not be renewing my subscription for Howards, as good as it is, because I feel I learn the instrument better through concrete examples. It is similar to learning a language and is essential to know concrete phrases to relate to the language as a whole. Plus, David's site has really cool interviews from various players about their approach to playing. That in itself is worth it.
Part of what has made me such an avid fan of Gussow's vids is that I feel like I don't always need a lot of scholastics to know how to play what I hear being played, and Adam doesn't always delve too much into detail regarding the how to's when he plays a song: "Do I need to tell you? You can hear this right?", he's said many times before...yes, Adam. I can hear you. If I ever can't, I'll just rewind your vid...
I'm always looking for new ways to get more book smart about the harp, but it just seems to me that there's not a whole lot you can really do with what you learn unless you put your mouth on the harp and play. I could be wrong. I'll say that DB's methods of teaching have made me curious about it.
If DB's vids are about learning new tunes, that is to say, are laden with play-along opportunities, I'd be down with that...what can I say, the good Doctor has spoiled me.
side note: I really enjoy that Adam doesn't dissect his vids to remove mistakes. Brings an aspect of reality and humility to them. In other words, If HE can mess up, it's perfectly okay for me to do so...
I dig your presentation Adam. I am sure I'll check this out, but you connect as a master would to a newer artist. What you provide in this delivers more than just the material, it is rich with insight into the real world of music and being a musician on the street.
Your scholarly nature (research, dissemination) combined with your artistic nature really cut through the detachment of the internet.
And yes, the history and tradition of the harmonica must be kept alive, and the possibilities are endless!
Absolutely, Greg, and I'll absolutely cop licks and knowledge anywhere I can!
Admittedly I'm very sentimental and biased. I'll always consider Adam to be the one who opened the gateway to a deeper level of expression for me, but certainly one should be open to as many resources as are available to them.
David Barrett likely is/will be that for many is well.
I've downloaded the free lessons from DBs' site and found them to be quite informative. David and his crew are all major tongue blockers and in order for us blues players to succeed in creating the sound and techniques we are searching for, we must learn. Adam is my primary instructor and I recall his tutorial video "Easy" by Big Walter Horton, Adam states that Big Walter is mostly tongue blocking and when Adam pulls out all the stops, he too, tongue blocks quite well. Adam says that he can't do certain bends and other techniques as a tongue blocker but I hear him doing them just fine. A larger, fuller sound is what it brings to the harp..Nat Riddles, Adams teacher, was a tongue blocker..I believe I asked Adam the question...How you became a lip purser when your teacher was a tongue blocker? Oh, by the way, hey Adam, you get any use out of that Nat Riddles T-shirt I gave you down in Clarksdale? Love & Respect
I was going through David's sit. The free sample lessons looked very nice and professional. However, I couldn't find anywhere the whole lessons curriculum that will be available once you sing up... Where can it be found? Or does someone of you have it?
