5 comments about The Pocket Harmonica Songbook (Harmonica).

1. first, click on the book image here to 'see inside' and look at the table of contents to know what tunes are inside. most are folk or popular tunes; for just straight playing simple tunes this book is ok, esp for the price; david harp has a good , easy method/tablature for reading and playing the music, so dont worry about that. i only wished there were some better songs in it.



2. Low cost and handy. When your heading out for some private harmonica practice in the woods, stick this book in your back pocket.



3. This is a pretty decent little book for the money: the song selection is pretty good, the tab he uses, while a bit different, is easy to understand, it has a simple primer and it's nice sized to actually carry in your pocket.
   
   I'd have to say my only real complaint is that he uses the book for advertising his other books and material way too much. I could understand an occasional plug but this guy's over the top. Not only does every chapter have at least one reference to another of his products but the last 2 pages are dedicated to listing them all, too. I wanted a book, not an infomercial.
   
   I'd say overall I'm please with the purchase but the author's endless self-promotion in this book has sort of turned me off any other titles by him.



4. the notes in the "Amazing Grace" are just wrong. They try to keep all the songs simple and end up substituting notes that just have no correct simple substitution.



5. good book, just need to find a bit of time to learn how to play better.

3 comments about Cross Harp Songbook: Bluesify Your Melody--The Word's 90 Most Recognizable Folk, Gospel, Blues, Patriotic, Children's and Holiday Songs Played Blues and Jazz Styles.

1. I recently looked through a friend's copy of Jon's latest book and jumped online to get my copy. No surprise - it's sold out. This book is jam-packed with content - great value for the money! I don't know who did the new design, but it rocks! Please make more available.



2. In my opinion, Jon Gindick's "Bluesify Your Melody" is the most important instructional book for intermediate and advanced harmonica players to be published in a number of years.
   Many audiences relate more strongly to folk, gospel, patriotic, kids, or holiday songs than they do to blues, but those songs get boring to play in first position. Jon took 99 songs that are well-known to any audience, tabbed them in second position on both high and low ends of the harmonica, and demonstrated how to integrate embellishments and improvisations into the melodies. The "plain Jane" tunes that audiences love are now fun, interesting, and challenging for the musician.
   This book is a must-have for any cross harp player who can bend notes, and I highly recommend it to all of my students.
   
   Philip Chan, Harmonica Instructor



3. I like the book; it is full of great well known songs, but I was a little surprised that there was not a backing guitar in one channel of the CD to play along with. I have Rock `n' Blues Harmonica also by Gindick which I love, which has one channel of harp and one channel of backing music to practice along with. I guess I just assumed it would be the same. However, I still like the book and it is very useful, especially to understand the use of bends in playing melodies. A familiar melody will help you with finding those missing notes. I am looking forward to learning the Christmas carols this season and the camp songs for next summer. Thanks, Jon, for everything.

1 comments about Pathways of Delight: Discovering the Design of Intercessory Worship (The Harp and Bowl Series).

1. This was a very insightful book. It will truly bring the idea of worship to the forefront of everything in your life. I loved this whole Harp and Bowl series.

5 comments about Music Theory Made Easy New Edition (Reference).

1. I bought this book hoping that it would teach me a little theory a little easier than lets say something the size of war and peace. I found it to be hard to read and understand.



2. Not well written. Very disappointed in the entire book. Very basic information.



3. I can't say whether this book is for everyone or not. What I can say is that, after reading this, I finally "get it." I now UNDERSTAND the concepts of music in a way that lessons and practice just couldn't get into my thick skull. Thanks, Mr. Harp!
   
   The book is written in a very concise and abstract style, so don't be fooled by its small size. It covers most of the major musical concepts (notes, intervals, scales, chords, chord progressions, melody and improvisation) in a way that larger "for morons" books can't seem to describe as well in 10 times the amount of ink.
   
   Two caveats:
   
   1: Just 'cause it's small, don't think you'll flip through it and understand it in 10 minutes. It's still a complex set of concepts, even when "made easy."
   2: Don't think that reading this one pamphlet-sized book will allow you to instantly read/write music notation or compose a symphony. I would think this would be obvious, but other reviewers...?
   
   Think of it this way: For the price of a six-pack, there's an excellent chance that while reading this book you'll understand music with sudden "oh wow!" clarity. I got it, and now I get it, and so should you!



4. A very easy to understand book and I love the chord wheel.
   The Amazon service was great. too



5. Wow, too many people have rated this highly and there is sooo much better out there! Save your money and get "Edly's Music Theory for Practical People". It's a great read and really put the pieces together for me.

4 comments about Harp Exercises for Agility and Speed.

1. I'm a beginning harper, and have been picking up books for someone my level as they come my way. I saw this one and thought it might be useful. When I showed it to my teacher, she wasn't too certain about it at first--then she began looking through it. She was very impressed, thought it was a great addition to my little collection, and worth every cent. I haven't gotten very far into the book yet, but there are great exercises on intervals, changing intervals, etc. I suspect that I won't be outgrowing this one any time soon, there's so much good stuff in it.



2. This book is exactly what it says it is. There are no lessons here - just a wonderful variety of excercises. They are clearly organized so that the harper or harpist can select the drills that are needed or a beginner can start at the beginning and work his or her way through.
   
   Like the previous reviewer, I am a beginner. Harp Exercises is exactly what I was looking for: a book that would develop the skills that the lesson books touch upon in the pieces they present. This book will be useful long after I graduate from the introductory lesson books.



3. I bought this book for my Mom. She has been
   involved with music for many years. She plays
   a number of instruments and is now learning to play
   the harp. This book is an asset to her and she
   thinks it would be excellent for all harp students.



4. The exercises in this book help strengthen the fingers and hands and improve agility. The expercises are good for all levels of experience. The expercises are a good way of warming up and will bring ones playing ability to a greater level of accomplishment. I highly recommend this book for ones music book library.

5 comments about Bending The Blues (Harmonica).

1. If you are a beginning blues harp player, this is the book that you must have to learn how to bend. My bending has improved very much after reading and practising this book. Also a friend of mine uses the book and his bending is improving too.



2. I was a total absolute beginner when I met this book. After three weeks of practice following this book, I can draw-bend one note. I am still improving. This book is concise but very helpful for broad range of harpists from beginners to semi-professional. I am grateful for David Harp for this wonderful text.



3. This book could be great IF it had a CD with it.



4. Great book to learn how to bend notes on your harmonica. Was recommended to me by others.



5. This book was also given to the boys as additional emphasis on learning to play the harmonic and it also, is a great tool for this endeavor.

5 comments about Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners.

1. Riley rates quite poorly in writing a "beginner's" harp book. She uses an archaic method dating from the days of caste systems, when harpists were often blind people, playing by ear and touch. Most beginner's would give it up after a few lessons from this type of method and teacher. I myself, learned a harp technique from a Russian method, and I can tap an Irish reel out, while Riley would probably be fumbling around in the dark.



2. With so much information overload nowadays, this book gets to the point and makes learning the harp really easy. There's nothing worse than complicated lessons when you want to learn to play the harp easily. I highly recommend this book for beginners that want to enjoy playing their harp without slaving over the lessons.



3. I started out with the Nancy Calthorpe book but later bought this one because I was left with too many unanswered questions. I would choose this as a first purchase if you are interested in teaching yourself to play the harp. There are some good tunes in this book as well.



4. the book was as described and is helpful in for a beginner who allready has some experience with other instruments.



5. This moves too quickly through the lessons. Accompanied by a teacher it may make more sense, but alone and with no prior experience it is, in my opinion, not a worth while investment. Many of the lessons include only a few lines of certain songs, which is frustrating if you want to play ALL of "Greensleeves". I would suggest "Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp by Sylvia Woods" book and DVD, especially if you do not have a teacher handy.
   This book is good for a quick review if you haven't played in a long time.

5 comments about Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp.

1. I bought this book when I bought my first harp and used it very little. I started taking lessons almost immediately, and found that it was a poor substitute (and in fact even a poor supplement) for having a harp instructor. It's very unprofessional in appearance, with the copy looking as though it was typed on an old-fashioned, manual typewriter. The notation is good and the fingering helpful, however.
   
   This book is good, I feel, for someone looking to just 'fool around' with the harp as it focuses far less on technique and jumps right into playing simple songs.
   
   If you have the benefit of having an instructor and plan on being half-way serious, I'd recommend passing this book up for something like 'Metodo per Arpa,' by Grossi, which I find far superior.



2. Very helpful beginner's book, featuring some lovely melodies and useful advice. The spiral binding is an asset in this sort of instruction book. Ask me in six or eight months whether I've learned enough to play my Celtic harp!



3. I had always wanted to play the harp and two years ago, I finally bought a Harpsicle. Along with my harp, I bought Sylvia Woods's book. Sylvia's wonderful harp suite The Harp of Brandiswhiere was really what made me love the harp so it was only right that I try her book first. I'm glad I did, since after comparing it to other beginner books, I found it to be the best.
   
   The songs in the book are actually songs that I enjoy and want to play. The lowest note is A below middle C and Sylvia has a paragraph on what to do if your harp does not have that note. My harp is 26 strings with C below middle C as the lowest note. I would not suggest anything with a smaller range.
   
   Included in the book are songs like Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair, Sakura, Minstral Boy and Planxty Irwin. Sylvia peppers the text with music theory in managable doses. I already took classical guitar lesson so I knew a little but her notes were still very useful.
   
   Being an adult learner who just wanted a fun and enjoyable hobby, I picked a relaxed teacher and enjoyed myself but she moved away pretty soon after so it was just me and Sylvia. I am happy to say that it worked out beautifully. I can play many of the songs in this book and am really enjoying myself. It's a cliche, but my only secret was practicing every day and always trying to improve on what I played the day before. Don't be scared, you can teach yourself this lovely instrument, you just have to be willing to work.
   
   My only complaint is that the left hand is introduced later than I would have liked. By holding off, it makes it seem much harder than it really is. But that is a minor quibble for such a good lesson book.
   
   The book is almost thirty years old and written in a time when there was not as much interest in the folk harp so naturally the presentation is less than pristine but for goodness sake, isn't it better to have a slightly less pretty book with good material instead of a lovely book that teaches you nothing? It's a no-brainer for me. And, yes, this book was written with the beginner in mind. That's exactly what I wanted.
   
   As with any beginner book, no matter what the subject, it's a good idea to get a "second opinion", another beginner book to compare with.
   
   In conclusion, I couldn't be happier with this book and I cheerfully recommend it to anyone interested in playing the folk harp.



4. I searched for a harp tutorial but they all left me with the feeling that I could never learn the harp on my own until I found Sylvia Woods book. I could read and understand it. It is written so clearly that a novice, such as me, can actually understand and follow the instructions.
   
   It is so exciting to finally be able to play the Celtic harp! I recently bought her DVD as a companion and I am so delighted with Sylvia's tutorials! they really work! I am actually playing songs without any other instruction.



5. There are not enough words to describe how I feel about this lesson book and DVD. I'm am so very greatful to Sylvia Woods for making such an easy to learn, easy to follow, easy to practice lesson plan. WOW! A dream come true for sure.
   If you have ever wondered what it would be like if you could play the harp... Wonder no longer! Do yourself a favor. Make a dream come true for youself and get this lesson plan with the DVD.
   When I'm ready to move up in my studies and buy a larger harp, I'll be traverling to Sylvia's Harp center in Southern CA to give her a BIG hug and make my purchace. Can't wait! Enjoy the sweet music my friends.
   God Bless.

5 comments about Instant Blues Harmonica 9 Ed: Minutes Away From Blues and Rock Improvisation!.

1. I have been playing with learning harmonica for a while now, but received this book as a present from my in-laws (who were probably tired of hearing "Camptown Races" and "Red River Valley" endlessly). What a treat. David Harp's instruction is super easy, and starts off with foregoing single notes. He gets you started on music, and then when you're having fun (and more interested in practicing), he hits you with more advanced techniques.
   
   I don't mind the Bending Notes book being plugged - there's only so much you pack into a beginners book.
   
   If you're thinking about trying the harmonica, I can't recommend this one highly enough.. :)



2. This is truly the most comprehensible, hassle-free self-teaching guide for raw beginners. Go with this book and you cant go wrong. Just play along with CD and you will have so much fun! After you finish with this one you may want to purchase Jon Dick's Rock and Blues Harmonica for slightly more advanced techniques you may also want to check out Tom Ball's Source Book series which is a very convenient reference of famous Blues harp licks/riffs.



3. This was a Christmas present for two of my grandchildren. The boys were absolutely thrilled with the information, in fact, one of them wrote a piece of music within 24 hrs!!!



4. Good sound and good value. Easy to follow, great beginner and intermediate tool. I was pleasently suprised to find a harmonica in a case included taped to the book. I keep that extra one in the car to practice with the CD. David Harp makes it easy to learn.



5. For anyone who thinks you can't learn to make music in an hour or less, you gotta try this book and CD! Appying a series of very simple breathing patterns--with names like Chicago and Boogie Woogie--you can make MUSIC on the harmonica in only a few minutes. In the first few lessons, David Harp takes baby steps through a series short lessons (none is more than three minutes long) which cover beginning blues, folk and "classical" ideas. In the second half, he covers application of the earlier blues lessons, gives a little explanation of the blues scale, presents you with a simplified blues scale and few tricks. The last few tracks are "jam" tracks so you can test out your new chops. Of course he doesn't get into bending in this introductory course, but for less than $15 it's a GREAT way to start! I use the CD in my car and play along on my commute. It's perfect!

5 comments about Rock n' Blues Harmonica: A World of Harp Knowledge, Songs, Stories, Lessons, Riffs, Techniques and Audio Index for a New Generation of Harp Players (Includes ... book and 74 minute stereo CD Jamming Buddy).

1. This isn't the best book to learn from. If you are mentally challeneged then it is fine. Choose a better Harmonica book like Paul butterfield's or adam Gassow's.



2. I use a harmonica on a couple songs while playing guitar - basic, easy riffs following original recordings. I wanted to expand my knowledge of the instrument, but I'm not planning on becoming a harp soloist. This book gave me the information I was looking for along with useful music theory. The background stories help present the information in an enjoyable way. The included CD does a fantastic job of reinforcing the book while giving the opportunity of improving your chops while jamming along.



3. Turn on this CD and lay back and jam along.
   A great way to reduce stress
   and learn to play the blues harmonica.



4. Even if you don't play (or want to) this book helps understand where those wonderful notes come from.



5. I was so glad when this came in. I sit down and read the whole book which I didnt like the caveman crap. There are very few licks or blues instruction. I listened to the cd and didnt find it much better. I bought a little book called 3 minutes to blues, rock and folk harmonica by David Harp. I would recomend you to buy this one. I wish I had my money back on Rock n' Blues harmonica. It is terrible.
   Bobby Standlee