finding theory courses + using C key harmonica
Hey David,
Quick question:
Where is the link to see the theory of the harmonica and blues as stipulated in the course "fundamentals of harmonica"?
Also I have bought a C key harmonica but it seems all this courses are for A key harmonica. Given the fact that you mentioned that you can play any harmonica once you learn how to play one harmonica, I am guessing nothing will change if I take the courses with my C harmonica?
Hey David,
The music theory lessons was what I was looking for. Thanks, for that!
So there is no added value in following the course with an A harmonica instead of a C harmonica except that I would be able to make the same sound as you do in the videos?
I am a frugal person and prefer making purchases that are well reasoned in the long term. I bought the C harmonica cause I read that this is the best key to start with. In addition I received a code to take this courses but it seems that these courses are designed for A harmonica...
Can you please tell me what are the added benefits of having an A harmonica along C harmonica besides being able to make same sound as you during the courses?
Also, how can I extend my subscription once the trial period is over?
Thanks in advance!
Hello Bably_mash. No added value except making the same sounds as me in the videos/mp3s. When your trial period is over, you can become a paid subscriber by going to this page https://www.bluesharmonica.com/subscribe
It is very interesting to be able to play along with the recordings and the jam tracks. At least I'd find it really frustrating if I could not do it. One way you can do it with the mp3s is to change the pitch in software. I've used Music Speed Changer on Android to do so quite easily (for other jam tracks that I wanted to play along on different keys). If you have an Android phone I'd give it a try, you just need to increase the pitch 3 semitones to transpose the recordings for the A harp so you can play them in your C harp. There's similar software which works on iPhone or on computers (the Amazing Slowdowner is often recommended here, though I think that one is not free, while this one is).
Thank you for sharing mmarquez
Hello David, hello Group!
well, me too: "The music theory lessons was what I was looking for"...
Your lessons are fine business and I learn a lot, w/o aiming to become a pro. I am delighted by the music theory lessons I find here and there on your webpage. You seem to have met my liking, by being not too light, not to heavy.
I only wish I would find somewhere all those music-theoretical issues in one place. Either I missed something or I have to look for them spread in tiny lessons all over the place. Yes, they have their place where they are, most probably belonging together with the actual level of learning. But for me, this means that I always have to look for them, loose them and search them again when a question arrises.
For me, not everything is clear and plain from the first hearing of the lesson or reading of the compact pdf.
I wish, I would have some print-out to hold in my hand, adnotate with a pencil and review when needed.
Would also help me if you could give me an advice on what book I could buy to meet my needs. Everything I find and own, is either too low (musical theory for dummies) or too high (Leonhard Bernstein style).
The only book that I can cherish and praise is "Chaos and Order" from Seydel. Perfect for my needs, but not sufficient.
Also looked after Adam Gussows literature, whose work I like and admire, but he also does not offer musical theory needed for blues harp in one piece. Instead he just feeds us his apprentices with tiny-tiny small pieces of here and there and there is no place where we can feed on it as a whole. There's some talk about the blues-third here, about the 12 bar there, but the whole is spread all over the place and this confuses me a lot. I went to a music school as I was a young student learning piano and recall all that basics, but this was... 40 years ago... and the pieces I seem to get together do not fit to the puzzle.
Maybe it is the nature of the beast, because blues is definitely not something academical in the sense of musical theory. People learning it by doing (playing) do not need any theoretical background. It is like learning to speak: children do not need grammar lessons when learning french from their "au-pair" girl. They just inhale the spirit of the language in an existentialistic way, accumulate and at some point open their mouth and simply speak french like the late Louis XIV.
Me, I am way beyond that vantage point of existentialistic knowledge acquisition and need those theoretical way-points. Help me find them all in one package. Maybe you, Group or David, can point me to what I am looking for.
Thanks in advance! yours friendly, Razvan
Hello Razvan. Music theory is no doubt a challenge. Music theory is the understanding of music, but to understand music, which is a wholistic art, requires study in multiple areas. These areas of study for the harmonica can be followed here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/levels-of-achievement, with the PDF "Quick Reference Guide" on that page, helping to give you that printout you're looking for. Follow the flow, and as you continue through the material, many, if not all, of your questions will be answered as you go down that path.
In regards to a book...
I have written around 70 books, and in their totality, they do not compare to the material found on this site. With the site, I can use written (PDF), auditory (MP3's), visual (videos) and interviews... and depth... there is MUCH more material on this site. So, in short, there's no need to buy anything else... dig into your studies here.
That was a quick answer dear David. I did not expect it to be otherwise, because it is friday, and friday is the day you wrote that you sit down, sip on your coffe and answer mails.
Big thank you!
You perfectly touch the point. Books are static, mono-medial, but it is this boring static and mono medial I was looking for. I belong to the older semester, have abandoned hope of coping with this new-age multi-medial way of learning.
Will look to your link. But old fashioned as I know old me, I will first gather all I can find and than try to print it out. I need the feel of paper in my hand to be able to learn. This new-age interactive way of learning makes me very unsure: where was that what I was looking for?
On paper, I can remember the corner of the page it was written on. On every page, without looking twice. I used to make cheat-sheets as I was a student and used them un-caught during exams. Helped me to two degrees and a PhD, only to find out that I did not need the cheat-sheets any more, because by carefully doing them, I had memorised them all.
'Tis the fate of early birth!
Thank you for all you are doing for us. I know, you are not geting rich by doing the things you do, so there must be a passion behind it, bless it, bless you!
The message is in the music.
Your friendly, Razvan
Thank you Razvan, I better understand what you're looking for now. Though I use power tools, I love using my hand saw, plane, chisels, wooden mallet, etc., so I get it. Are you specifically looking for music theory, or general method books?
Hello Bably_mash. Can you direct me to exactly in the video where you're speaking of, I'll need to review it to get a better context for what you're asking. If it's the music theory lessons, then the series starts here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/music_theory_study_1
There is an intro lesson for those with only the C Harmonica, and it's found here http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/c_harmonica_intro_lesson. After this lesson, if you decide to continue, you'll want to pick up an A Harmonica, so you can play along with me in the videos and recordings. You can use the C harmonica, but it will be nice for you to play in the same key as me.
Best wishes on your studies.