No comments about Studies of Medium Difficulty: Harp Method.

5 comments about Beginning Blues Harp.

1. I had this book almost ten years ago (it came with a cassette instead of a CD). I recently developed an interest in learning harp again and ordered this with the CD. Unfortunately all examples are progammed on one track which is pretty much no different than using a cassette. Actually worse because if you stop at example 33 on a tape and start the tape the next day you start at example 33. Since the CD has everything on one track you'll have to search for it. Way to go guys.... Does anyone else have this problem?



2. I was given this book about ten years ago and back then it still had a cassette. I was impressed with Don's playing but not with the book. The book is a repetition of a lot of others. I also was given an instruction book back then by Charlie Musselwhite with the same sort of interior but with a 33 rpm flexi single. Again the tracks where superb and great to learn from, the book wasn't. With all respect, I never learned from tab (written solos), I learned playing from listening to others. Later I learned from profesional player whom I met over the years.... My advice for beginners is to get a book like this to get familiar with some techniques, then get a load of CD's by harp players and finally get in touch with some seasoned players or, if you can afford it, a harp teacher. By the way, I'm not a fan of Don Baker's records, but I am a fan of his playing and persona. He's a fine guitarist too....



3. Geez! What, does it cost A LOT to put tracks on a CD? The CD that accompanies this book is, that's right, one track. Yet the sections are really discreet lessons. That's annoying; I have to zip on search past the beginning every time I start and stop this CD.

   The book has some useful stuff and it does have music notation mixed with the usual draw-blow notation used for harmonica. And the section on bending notes is excellent--it has practice riffs that test your ability to bend the note down halves and whole notes. There is even a one-hole three-note bent riff. Nice to learn. And the theory is better explained than in some books plus the written-out musical notation blues songs are great.

   There are some useful tricks in here, so you have to forgive the silly idea of a one track cd. The sections are played quickly, so if you want to play along or listen again, you have to restart the CD. Maybe you can create an audio cassette tape cut into sections and cued for reference by lesson. I might try that, as I found a lot of merit in this book and CD package.




4. So you want to learn the Harmonica? Well look someplace else. This book is pants!!! It goes very quickly on to advanced techniques and stays there.
   Sure it has about 20 different songs to learn but if your at all like me anything after the first 2 will be nigh-on impossible.
   The cd has one long track on it for chrissakes meaning you have to ffwd through for half and hour.
   I am a musically minded kind of chap too. My strong recommendation would be to go a book called STEP ONE: PLAY HARMONICA by Peter Pickow, Jason A. Shulman I had much much more success with it.



5. Don't be fooled by the title of Don Baker's book/CD, "Beginning Blues Harp". It is definitely not for absolute beginners. Don's teaching style on the included CD is excellent, it's just like having a private teacher right next to you. This book/CD concentrates on note bending, the essential technique for playing the blues. Each bent note is treated as a separate lesson, along with a little tune to play featuring that note. These exercises make the learning process quite enjoyable. It should take about a month or more of serious study to fully absorb this book.

No comments about Nine Folk Melodies for Pedal and Lever Harp.

No comments about Rise My Soul: Old Harp Singing from Wear's Valley.

3 comments about Andrew Lloyd Webber Arranged for the Harp.

1. ... when you sit down at the harp! Old favorites like "Memory" from 'Cats' and five songs from 'Phantom of the Opera' are arranged for the folk (non-pedal) harp. All are in the key of C or G with fingering; no lever changes. While the book is described as "intermediate to advanced," I'm a rank beginner and have learned two songs from the book already. Just takes practice!

   Some of my favorites include "The Music of the Night" (Phantom), "All I Ask of You" (Phantom), "The Phantom of the Opera" (Phantom), "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" (Evita), "Tell Me On A Sunday", and the haunting "Pie Jesu" which has been sung by Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church, among others.

   If you ever plan to play in public, you can bet that these are the songs people will love, because they're familiar with them. An excellent collection of favorites!




2. All the favourites are here, "Don't Cry for me Argentina", "Memories", etc, beautifully arranged for the harp. Though a beginner, I have found this book easy to follow and am now fingering my way through some of my favourite tunes. I bet they play this in heaven.



3. Many of the great Andrew Lloyd Webber songs are here, including "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," "The Phantom of the Opera," and "Jesus Christ, Superstar." My friend Peter Puller the Pasta Chef and Bartender Extraordinaire loves to do his own versions of these hit tunes, such as "Don't Cry for Me, Semolina," "The Fandom of the Okra," and "Jesus Christ, at the Bar." There was certainly something special about Webber, and there is no better way to appreciate his special genius than getting a little plucky with a harp.

5 comments about Harmonica Americana Deluxe Double Cd (Harmonica).

1. Thanks a million to Jon Gindick for 'Harmonica Americana'. Man, I got further on this harp in one week thanks to this book/CD than I've managed in the last ten years with countless others. So delighted was I with my progress, I ordered Gindick's 'Country & Blues Harmonica For The Absolute Beginner' video from Amazon, and surprised myself at the ease with which I am FINALLY wailing out a blues riff or two. I'm now eagerly awaiting the arrival of Gindick's 'Rock N Blues Harmonica' book/CD . . . Re-reading all of that, it looks like some kind of cheesy commercial, so usual disclaimers: I'm not affiliated with Jon in any way other than as a VERY satisfied customer. Gindick's da man! Harp on!



2. Hi Jon,
   For a long long time, I had been planning to learn how to play the
   harmonica. This past Christmas my wife bought me a set of Soul's Voice
   harps and my son bought me your Harmonica Americana with CDs, the only thing
   better would be to have you here at the house. A few days ago I had a friend
   download and burn(I dont have a burner) your Chugging and Bending
   instructions. Man! you talk about getting you in the mood to play, I listen
   to them going to work, sure beats listening to Imus in the morning. I now
   chug as fast as real train, ok,,ok maybe like a 2 mile long train going up a
   6 mile 20 degree incline, but one of these days I'm gonna crest that hill,
   and then it's downhill and the speed will pick up. I want to THANK YOU for
   helping me fullfill a dream that I've had since I was young pup living in
   Canada. I'M now 60 1/2 years old which again proves that you're always young
   enough to learn. Again I THANK YOU for the enjoyment that I get practicing.
   Cordially
   Mike Hebert



3. Hi Jon,
   For a long long time, I had been planning to learn how to play the
   harmonica. This past Christmas my wife bought me a set of Soul's Voice
   harps and my son bought me your Harmonica Americana with CDs, the only
   thing better would be to have you here at the house. A few days ago I had a friend download and burn(I dont have a burner) your Chugging and Bending instructions. Man! you talk about getting you in the mood to play, I listen to them going to work, sure beats listening to Imus in the morning. I now chug as fast as real train, ok,,ok maybe like a 2 mile long train going up a 6 mile 20 degree incline, but one of these days I'm gonna crest that hill, and then it's downhill and the speed will pick up. I want to THANK YOU for helping me fullfill a dream that I've had since I was young pup living in Canada. I'M now 60 1/2 years old which again proves that you're always young enough to learn. Again I THANK YOU for the enjoyment that I get practicing.
   Cordially
   Mike Hebert



4. Just my luck that the song I wanted to play the most (Swing Low, Sweet Chariot) is printed with the vital note bends missing. Oh, the asterisk is there in the key, but nowhere to be seen in the notes. I wonder how many other songs are misprinted.

   I'll be sending this one back.




5. I bought my first harminca and The book Harmonica Americana about a year and a half ago,then 6 months ago, I finally got around to ordering the two cd's that go with the book. What a difference the cds made for me! My ability jumped by leaps and bounds after that. Just to be able to hear what the songs really should sound like made all the difference in the world. What a thrill it is to me to be able to make GOOD music anytime at all. I tape my practising and when I replay it and then can't tell my harp playing from his, sometimes, I just think -wow! I am in the early stages of bending and thanks to his lessons, am extremely grateful that I really can bend notes! Just need to perfect this skill. I am a 55 year old grandmother of 13, so if I can, you can too.

No comments about A Harp Full of Stars: The Journey of a Music Healer.

1 comments about The mythic harp.

1. I found this book fascinating. It take you behind the scenes for a look at the beliefs of what the harp can and would do for the player and the listeners. No wonder that the harp has been the object of destruction in the past. The sound of the harp seems to have power over peoples emotions and what they do.
   As I said fascinating stuff.

No comments about Mel Bay's Hymns for Harmonica [Diatonic, Cross-Harp, and Chromatic].

No comments about Tiny Tales for Harpist Beginners for Pedal and Lever Harp.