Harmonica Masters Workshops 2018
Registration is now open for the 2018 Harmonica Masters Workshops in Trossingen, Germany. Here is the website https://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/
Here are the classes I'll be teaching...
Wednesday (Half Day) - V-IV-I Licks
Bars nine through eleven of the twelve bar blues progression is a specific area in the repertoire of a blues harmonica player that is commonly lacking. It’s more challenging because of the harmonic pacing (how fast at which chords change) and for the listener, it’s the area that can either be boring due to the lack of creativity of the player or the coolest part of the solo with players that take the time to study cool licks that work within that area. In this class I’ll define what works well and share killer licks that we’ll learn in class so that you’re on your way to making this part of the blues stand out in your playing. This class is for advanced skill level players (good bending skill is a must). You’ll need an A Harmonica for this class.
Thursday (Full Day) - Little Walter Study
Little Walter is known as the greatest blues harmonica player to ever live. In this class I’ll share his most well-known recordings; speak of his importance in history; teach the key elements to his rhythmic approach (both chording and general use of syncopation to give his music the swing quality it has and rhythmic drive); and some of his most famous songs (Evan’s Shuffle, Juke. Off The Wall, Blue Midnight, etc.). This class is for all skill level players, though you should be able to move around the harmonica, playing single notes with ease (some bending skill is also very helpful). You’ll need A and C Major Diatonic Harmonicas for this class.
Friday (Full Day) - Chord Tone Accompaniment and Soloing
Blues harmonica players develop their accompaniment and soloing chops by copying the great players that come before them. They string together cool licks to make solos, but until the advanced stages, these licks commonly lack correct placement… where they sound best within the chord progressions we play within. In this class we’ll study how to make these choices, looking at the chords within the twelve bar blues and how to either place, or construct, licks that sound killer for the particular places within the blues progression. We’ll look at this both from an accompaniment and soloing perspective. This class is for all skill level players, though you should be able to move around the harmonica, playing single notes with ease (some bending skill is also very helpful). You’ll need A and C Major Diatonic Harmonicas for this class.
Saturday (Half Day) - Big Walter Horton Artist Study
In this class I’ll share his most well-known recordings; speak of his importance in history; teach the key elements to his style; and some of his most famous songs. This class is for lower-intermediate to advanced skill level players (the key element is your bending control… the more of it you have, the more you’ll enjoy the class). You’ll need an A Harmonica for this class.
