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About the Author David Barrett
Harmonica Masterclass Lesson Series

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Info: Harmonica Masterclass Lesson Series Levels
 
 

Lesson Series Level 1

Intermediate Players

The Harmonica Masterclass Lesson Series, written by David Barrett, is a comprehensive blues harmonica instruction course that will take you from your intermediate level to as far as you wish to go.  For some players the goal is to play on stage with a band, for others it’s to just play the harmonica for their own enjoyment.  Whichever your goal, we can take you there.

You are probably moving around the harmonica well with music, but run out of ideas and feel that your playing has gone stagnant.  You probably know some technique (bending, tongue blocking, etc.), but there’s a good chance that you’re not utilizing it to its fullest in your playing.  Most of our books within the series are written for you, the intermediate player.

Blues harmonica is a very challenging study that requires discipline in multiple areas.  Within this series you will start with a method book/CD (Classic Chicago Blues Harp #1) for your main body of study.  We recommend you start with a review in the book/CD Basic Blues Harmonica Method to make sure your technique is solid (most players are not) before entering Level 2 within the series. 

Along with your method book, you will use a jam track (Blues Harmonica Jam Tracks & Soloing Concepts #1 & #2) to place what you’re learning into context.  Along with this, the videos Building Harmonica Technique #1 and #2 will help you see and hear techniques and concepts.  Along with your technique and general music study, you will want to build agility and speed on the harmonica with and without bends, for this you will use Scales, Patterns and Bending Exercises #1.

After you have completed the above material, it’s time to focus on position and phrasing study.  Start with Exploring 2^nd Position to firm up your skills in our most common position and then move onto Exploring 3^rd Position to start your journey into one of the favorite positions of professional players.  This book/CD will also help you tremendously in your advanced tongue blocking skills. 

The material mentioned above (except for Blues Harmonica Jam Tracks & Soloing Concepts #1 and Basic Blues Harmonica Method) is available at a discount price in our Sets section of the website.

You probably own many keys of harmonicas by now, but let’s make sure you have the common ones.  It is recommended that you pick up a G, A, Bb, C, D and F harmonica.  The Lee Oskar or Hohner Special 20 brand harmonicas are very common choices for players.

After this material, you are ready to move onto Level Three of the series.

Are there Workshops for My Skill Level?
The Harmonica Masterclass Workshops are held across the US for all skill levels of players.  Classes entail three days of intensive study with highly trained instructors and guest artists within the Harmonica Masterclass System. 

Fly-In Lessons
David Barrett is a full time music instructor at School of the Blues in San Jose California and commonly has people fly in for lessons.  If you want to get together for an intense session (one or multiple days), look at the School of the Blues Website for more information. 

What About an Amplifier & Microphone?
You’re ready to pick up an amplifier and microphone.  Most players have two amplifiers, a small amp for small shows, practice and recording and a large amp for performing on stage with a band.  Fender Princeton amplifiers (1970’s and earlier are recommended) are great for a small amp.  Vintage small Gibson, Valco, Silvertone, Supro and other tube amps from the 50’s will all do the job as well.  As for a stage amp, most players use a Fender Bassman style amplifier.  How the amp is set up is very important, for this reason we recommend what we feel is the best available in the market, the Sonny Jr. 4x10.  Information on this amp can be found at www.sonnyjramps.com. 

The most common microphones used by players are vintage Shure and Astatic models.  Contact Fritz Hasenpusch Custom Harmonica Mics or Tom’s Mics for details on getting a great mic. 

For a listing of vintage amps and mic look at out Vintage Collection Museum.