Archives: Downloads

$10 Download Includes:
Video (45 minute MPEG4 – MP4)
E-Book (11 page PDF and TXT)
Audio Lesson (45 minute MP3)

If you can play clear single notes, you can learn how to bend!

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The lesson begins with an explanation of what it means to “bend notes,” a survey of which notes on the harmonica can be bent, and performance examples of all draw and blow bends. I also provide a quick review of the single-note pucker technique, a basic skill you need in order to get farther with bending.

When teaching my harmonica students how to bend, I try to provide options for different learning styles by offering two approaches: an intuitive, descriptive approach, and a more detail-oriented, technical approach.

However you get there, once the basic technique is established, we move on to exercises and musical examples which build the skills you need to bend notes in all musical styles, whether you play blues, folk, jazz, Celtic or rock.

This downloadable harmonica lesson on bending focuses mainly on draw bends, but also covers blow bending. Most students need to master draw bending before working on blow bending, but when you’re ready, this introduction will get you started.

Please remember: you need to be able to play clear single notes in order to get the most out of this lesson.

International Customers – prices are listed here in US Dollars, but when you purchase, your credit card or Paypal will be charged the equivalent amount in your own currency.

$10 Download Includes:
Video (58 minute MPEG4 – MP4)
E-Booklet (6 page PDF)
Audio Lesson (58 minute MP3)

Use your lips to play clear single notes!

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In this downloadable harmonica lesson, you’ll learn the pucker embouchure, starting with the basic technique, then building on it with exercises and simple songs. Along the way, we’ll also look at solutions to common problems everyone runs into when learning to play clear single notes.

Because this skill is so important for beginners and intermediate players alike, I’ve made an extra long video – almost 60 minutes – to cover a variety of single-note challenges.

Clear single notes open up a whole musical world on the harmonica! As you build your single note technique, you’ll begin to pick out individual notes in your melodies and chords. Your playing will become more like singing, and your feel for the music will deepen.

Want to learn to bend notes? First you’ve got to master clear single notes. Start here!

International Customers – prices are listed here in US Dollars, but when you purchase, your credit card or Paypal will be charged the equivalent amount in your own currency.

$10 Download Includes:
Video (40 minute MPEG4 – MP4)
E-Book (8 page PDF)
Audio Lesson (40 minute MP3)
MP3 Jam Track

Play the blues, using clear single notes! Bending is not required for this lesson.

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Blues Basics
In this downloadable harmonica lesson, we’ll learn the basics of Cross Harp blues, using a C harmonica. We start with the blues scale and practice playing along with a jam track, learning to move around using both steady eighth notes and shorter phrases.

Easy Riffs Presented Visually
I’ll lead you through simple solos, and show you all the moves on an onscreen diagram in REAL TIME, so you’ll understand exactly which hole and breath direction to play. This split-screen view will also help you to begin building a mental map of the notes on your instrument.

Along the way, we’ll cover harmonica riffs from songs by Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, and Sonny Boy Williamson II and learn to rearrange classic blues licks to create new phrases of our own.

Special Effects
While the focus in this lesson is on the blues scale, rhythmic phrasing, and clear single notes, we’ll also take time for special effects, including hand wah-wah, doublestop growls, and the classic warble or head shake.

Extra Credit: Bends
I designed this lesson so that 90% of the material could be played without bends, but what kind of blues teacher would let you go without a couple of bending challenges? For students who are already bending a bit, this lesson presents a full blues scale with all the bends and a classic riff that will build your bending skills on 4 draw AND help you with the notoriously tricky 3 draw bend.

If you love the blues and can already play clear single notes, this lesson is for you!

International Customers – prices are listed here in US Dollars, but when you purchase, your credit card or Paypal will be charged the equivalent amount in your own currency.