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Course at a glance

The course is divided into four "years". The first year is for complete beginners. The lesson difficulty increases in a step by step way. The final year is advanced, with exercises designed to challenge experienced professionals. Whatever your level, you will find a starting point.

The tables below summarise the course. There are 81 lessons, divided into two strands, tunes and blues. Each year has around 20 lessons. If you wish to play blues only, then complete all of the freshman year lessons, then take only the blues strand in the following years. However we recommend all the lessons. The tunes strand opens a new world of music and playing opportunities.

Freshman Year

This is the starting point for complete beginners. We assume that you have never played harmonica before, and that you have no previous experience with other instruments. Begin with the 10 tunes lessons, then move to the blues ones. At the end of this year you will be able to play a range of tunes, as well as simple but effective blues improvisations.

Tunes Blues
1 First Sounds 1 Blues Introduction
2 Single Notes 2 First Riffs
3 More Single Notes 3 First Solos
4 Moving Between Notes 4 The 12 Bar
5 The Middle Holes 5 Developing Tone
6 Harmonica Notation 6 Bending Introduction
7 The Major Scale 7 Blues Phrasing
8 Ode to Joy 8 Strong Notes
9 More Ode to Joy 9 Bending Hole 4
10 Chords 10 More Strong Notes

 

Sophomore Year

This year shows how to play more complex tunes, and finishes the introduction to blues techniques. After this year you will be prepared for the traditional tune repertoire, and ready for blues performance.

Tunes Blues
1 Learning by Ear 1 Harmonica Keys
2 Practising Jumps 2 Bending Hole 3
3 Planxty Irwin 3 Turnarounds
4 More Planxty Irwin 4 Longer Riffs
5 Holes 7 to 10 5 Bending Notation
6 Whiskey before Breakfast (I) 6 More Bending
7 Whiskey before Breakfast (II) 7 More Turnarounds
8 Whiskey before Breakfast (III) 8 Chord Rhythms
9 The Metronome 9 Chord Bending
10 Harmonica Layout 10 Extra Notes

 

Junior Year

This year covers advanced blues techniques, used by professional players. You will also learn a traditional tune repertoire. At the end of this year, you will be able to perform comfortably in professional blues and traditional music settings.

Tunes Blues
1 Tunes Endings 1 Blues Rhythms
2 Hans Scale 2 Hand Cupping
3 Arpeggio Chords 3 Vibrato
4 Playing Faster 4 More Chord Rhythms
5 Modes 5 Tongue Blocking
6 Scale Degrees 6 4 Hole Octaves
7 Hole 3 Bend 7 5 Hole Octaves
8 Bending Exercises 8 Blow Bends
9 Thirds Scale 9 Blues Scale
10 Software Metronome 10 Trills

 

Senior Year

This year introduces first and third position blues, and second and third position tunes. The exercises are difficult, and will challenge even the most experienced players.

Tunes Blues
1 Second Position Scales 1 1st Position Blues (I)
2 Bottom Octave Scales 2 1st Position Blues (II)
3 The Seventh 3 1st Position Blues (III)
4 Second Position Endings 4 3rd Position Blues (I)
5 Hole 1 Hans Scale 5 3rd Position Blues (II)
6 Tune Variations 6 3rd Position Blues (III)
7 3rd Position Tunes 7 Country Chord Changes
8 3rd Position Scales 8 The VI Chord
9 3rd Position Endings 9 The II Chord
10 Irish Sets 10 4th Position
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