Harmonica

Heitor Villa-Lobos was one of a number of eminent composers attracted to writing for the harmonica and his Concerto explores the instrument’s abilities perfectly. The first movement is highly melodic while the harmonica’s singing qualities are to be found in the plaintively haunting lyricism of the slow movement. The finale embodies festive romance and great virtuosity, capping one of the most exciting works in the repertoire. The sequence of arrangements and orchestrations of some of Villa-Lobos’s most beautiful, moving and famous melodies includes the masterpiece Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5.

You don't have to be a bluesman to be known for your harmonica playing - Stevie Wonder has taken his share of memorable harmonica solos, and the distinctive Toots Thielemans (who is arguably the Stan Getz of the harmonica) has demonstrated that a harmonica player can handle the most sophisticated of jazz. That said, no musical idiom has given listeners more first-class harmonica players than the blues. From the Mississippi Delta and the bayous of Louisiana to Chicago's South Side, the harmonica has long been the blues' most famous wind instrument. Spanning 1950-1999, This Is the Blues Harmonica gives listeners an appealing taste of some of the harmonica soloists (many of them singers) to whom Delmark has had access over the years. At its best, this compilation is excellent - and at its worst, it is at least decent…

Finally, Playing the Harmonica Made Fun, Quick, and Easy…Beginners and Non-Musicians… So you want to play the harmonica – and be able to play all the songs you love – but without the need for endless hours of practice and frustration, right? Well, if you’re having a tough time learning the harmonica, it may not be your fault…It may be the way you are being taught. The mistake the majority of the other harmonica methods make is that they try to teach students the wrong techniques at the wrong time. This just overwhelms most beginners and creates a lot of bad habits and frustration. But consider this…There’s a faster and more fun way to learn the songs. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a non-musician…

Building Harmonica Technique Volume 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 - by David Barrett [Repost]

Designed to augment level 2 of David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclass Series, this video bridges the gap between what can be studied at home and what can only be learned in private lessons. Fantastic visuals and camera close-ups ensure that even the smallest details are seen. Topics include how to practice, holding the harmonica, memorizing the harp, and several lessons on embouchure, articulation, properties of a bend, draw bend embouchure, articulating the bend, blow bending, over-bends, vibrato types, music theory, 12-bar blues, and soloing scales.