phogi
137 posts
Dec 06, 2009
11:58 AM
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I'm running into a problem. I'd like to start to dive quite deep into the 10 hole harp. My problem? Most instructional books I see are either designed for beginners, or not specific to harmonica.
My ability level is pushing intermediate, I'm able to control intonation well, I can get all overblows (and bend them) and use them comfortable as passing tones or as long tones, I can overdraw the 7 hole and bend it as well. I've not done much more with the overdraws. Also, I'm in the music trade by profession, and my understanding of theory is not an obstacle.
So: what books are available for advanced harmonica? Also, what are some of your favorite music books (that may not be harp related)?
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Leonid
12 posts
Dec 06, 2009
12:29 PM
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Sonny terry licks
Big Walter Little Walter licks
Harmonica Greats
Building Harmonica Technique
Also chack out Howard Levy DVDs:
New directions for harmonica
and Out of The box
Definitely enroll http://www.howardlevyharmonicaschool.com
And last but not the least Youtube channels of Jason Ricci and Chris Michalek
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MrVerylongusername
679 posts
Dec 06, 2009
12:31 PM
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Dave Barret has plenty for more advanced players. "The C Harmonica book" by James Major is useful for scales, arpeggios etc... (There are 12 versions of what is essentially the same book, you only need one!) "Music Theory Made Easy for Blues/Rock Harp" by David Harp is a useful resource for learning positions. Winslow Yerxa's "Harmonica for Dummies" has plenty for even advanced players to sink their teeth into.
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belfast_harper
85 posts
Dec 06, 2009
3:40 PM
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I don't really like harmonica books, but the 2 books that I think everybody should have in their collection are the harp hand book and harmonica for dummies.
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kudzurunner
839 posts
Dec 06, 2009
4:06 PM
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David Barrett sent me advance galleys for IMPROVISING BLUES HARMONICA and I was blown away. I didn't read the whole thing, nor did I read it closely. I simply knew, from reading parts of it and then flipping thorough, that somebody had finally cracked the code. You guys know by now that I'm a pretty straight shooter; I definitely don't recommend my competitors' stuff unless honesty forces me to admit that somebody has come up with something pretty amazing. That's why I linked the webpage for DB's book in my FAQs, and will happily point you towards it here:
http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/improvising.htm
And yes: in general I don't think that books are very helpful. But in this case, the way that DB breaks down the elements of good improvising and soloing were like reading a transcription of my own musical mind. That's an eerie thing, and it's why I think you won't be wasting your time or money if you pick up a copy of this book.
I'd be very interested, actually, in hearing feedback from anybody who has this particular book and has worked with it.
Last Edited by on Dec 06, 2009 4:08 PM
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hvyj
11 posts
Dec 06, 2009
7:59 PM
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The chapter on "substitutions" in IMPROVISING BLUES HARMONICA is very useful for helping break out of playing the SOS I-IV-V chord tones and blues scale rut. IMHO, the explanation and examples in this chapter are much too brief, and it would actually make more sense if the chapter were titled "substitutions and extensions." But it's very stimulating and helpful material if you can figure out how to apply what he's talking about from the relatively brief explanation that's provided. Great stuff, though.
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apskarp
76 posts
Dec 06, 2009
11:53 PM
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Feedback for Adam:
I bought the "Improvising blues harmonica" when I saw it in your FAQ about 18 months ago. It truly was a revelating book. I did read it carefully and I also did all the excercises in it. It really made me understand the form of Blues. Actually I started to write my own songs after that. As I had internalized the form it was pretty easy to put my ideas in blues lyrics and also compose the melodies for those. Actually there are two of my songs inspired by that book there: www.myspace.com/hoodoosauna (Lyrics in finnish, sorry :)
Highly recommended book for anyone wanting to learn to understand how the blues works. And I recommend the excercises too as they really make you to work with the ideas presented..
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GamblersHand
105 posts
Dec 07, 2009
1:22 AM
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I have the "improvising" book and I think it's DB's best. Also recently picked up his new one on accompaniment playing which for me is very good for a advanced beginner/intermediate player.
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addict
16 posts
Dec 07, 2009
10:05 AM
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It's not a book but I think the Rick Estrin DVD is really really good.
As for books, The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten. It's about making music and it is fun as well.
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