Bones of the Blues - learn 4 cool tunes to expert level now!
What you'll learn
- Play the blues in 5 keys - learn 9 new pieces of music - learn 4 brilliant scales to improvise with - and all this with NO NOTE BENDING!
Requirements
- all you need is a ten hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C. You can get one locally or from my mail order shop sonnyboysmusicstore (link is on the last page of the course, in my profile or google it) - I'd recommend the Sonnyboys Special in C as a good all-round harmonica with low cost and great quality.
Description
This course is about improvising.
And playing blues on the harmonica.
If you like the blues this is for youze!
I am experienced in teaching this stuff so you will find it easy to understand.
I don't go too fast and I don't waffle on too much.
You get pdfs of everything I teach you and I make sure you have backing tracks/mp3s so you can play along and practise everything.
There's no rush when working through the course so I hesitate to tell you how long it will take but you could get quite a way into it during a weekend, and a month should see most people complete it.
We will learn in a structured way; after the introductory lectures you will start the program proper and each of the pieces has the following system:
Learn the pentatonic scale
Learn the tune phrase by phrase
Play the tune with the band
Add improvisation to your performance using the scale you learnt
This course will skyrocket your playing and give you serious advantages over people who don't know about these gifts from heaven - i.e. pentatonic scales.
Are you ready to dive deep into the world of blues music and set your harmonica on fire with soulful melodies? Playing blues on the harmonica is an electrifying and expressive experience that will transport you to the heart and soul of this captivating genre. So, let's get started with some essential tips to ignite your blues harmonica journey!
First things first, you need the right tool for the job. Opt for a diatonic harmonica in the key of C. Why C, you ask? Well, my blues-savvy friend, the key of C is the go-to choice for playing blues. It harmonizes effortlessly with other instruments and allows you to jam with fellow musicians with ease. Consider it the secret weapon in your blues arsenal!
Now, let's talk about technique. The blues scale is your ticket to bluesy bliss. Familiarize yourself with the blues scale (C, Eb, F, Gb, G, Bb) and let its soul-stirring notes guide your harmonica journey. Practice bending those notes to add that irresistible touch of bluesy expression. With time and dedication, you'll master the art of bending, creating those spine-tingling sounds that define the blues.
But wait, there's more! The 12-bar blues progression is the backbone of blues music. Wrap your mind around this rhythmic structure (I-IV-V) and embrace the magical journey it takes you on. Experiment with chord progressions, feel the groove, and let your harmonica wail in harmony with the bluesy rhythm.
Now, here's a little secret to add that extra dose of magic to your blues playing: dynamics. The blues thrives on the ebb and flow of emotions. Play with a sense of rhythm, emphasize the right notes, and let your harmonica sing with the nuances of your soul. Experiment with techniques like vibrato, tongue blocking, and tongue slaps to add depth and texture to your bluesy melodies.
To truly embody the spirit of the blues, draw inspiration from blues harmonica legends like Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Big Walter Horton. Listen to their legendary recordings, study their phrasing, tone, and expression, and infuse their essence into your playing. Let their virtuosity inspire your own blues journey.
Lastly, my fellow blues maestro, remember that the blues is all about freedom and improvisation. Once you've honed your skills, embrace the joy of jamming with other musicians or playing along with blues backing tracks. Allow your harmonica to be your voice, weaving tales of love, loss, and everything in between with every breath you take.
Are you ready to unleash your bluesy soul on the harmonica? The stage is set, the spotlight is on you. Let your harmonica be your guide, and together, let's paint the world with the vibrant hues of bluesy expression.
Who this course is for:
- This Blues harmonica course is open to everyone who can play a single note. It doesn't matter if you are a pucker player or a tongue blocker.
Instructor
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 10,920 Reviews
- 65,498 Students
- 102 Courses
Wow, I can't quite believe this - over 60,000 students, and 70,000 courses purchased...they can't all be wrong!
I am your HARMONICA SPECIALIST.
If you are new to harmonica please take the '30-day challenge' or the big 'Learn Harmonica - the easiest instrument to pick up' course to get you started.
If you are into Blues look for any course with the word 'Blues' in the title.
I also have three percussion courses for you on Bodhran and Washboard.
*Ben is the former Vice-President and a former Chairman of HarmonicaUK - formerly known as NHL - The National Harmonica League in the UK
*Professional Harmonica Instructor since 1996
*Ben qualified as CTABRSM in 2002 (Certificate of Teaching - Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)
*Certificate of Music Workshop Skills (Goldsmiths University of London) in 1995
*Accredited Diatonic Harmonica Teacher 1993 - HTAB (Harmonica Teachers Accreditation Board, supported by Lee Oskar Harmonicas, the National Harmonica League of UK and the International Harmonica Organisation).
*Ben's schools teaching business 'HarpsCool' is proud to be 'IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOHNER' - actually we closed that after 22 years because of Covid. They shut the schools. HarpsCool introduced TEN THOUSAND children to music through the harmonica.
'Ben Hewlett is one of the UK's most respected harmonica teachers and the UK's most prolific author on harmonica tuition. He will lead you through the ins and outs of harmonica playing through a series of short video lessons. His teaching style is confident, practiced, humorous, skilful, knowledgeable and packed with information in bite sized chunks. Ben is used to teaching all over the world at prestigious harmonica festivals and is delighted to offer his services to you.'
'You'll know Ben better as a harmonica teacher but he also studied Irish Drum - Bodhran - and tin whistle in the 1990's with the now very famous Steafan Hannigan and Marc Moggy from Renegade Rhythms. He got so into Bodhran playing he bought an expensive tuneable drum from Marc and it works better than ever to this day. Ben has played Bodhran in bands and sessions for years and even has a Senheiser bass drum microphone embedded into his drum. Check out his Bodhran teaching on Udemy'
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I would recommend using 'Transcribe!' for slowing down and changing the key on my backing tracks - it's free as a trial and well worth a look in my opinion. I also heard Capo is worth a look.
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I have been teaching people to play the harmonica since 1996 as a full-time job. I have started tens of thousands on their way to play the harmonica and I can tell you - it sure beats working
I believe I was the first person to be a full-time harmonica teacher in the UK, there are still very few of us - so there's plenty of room if you want to come and join me.
For the last few years, I was the Vice-President and Chairman of HarmonicaUK - formerly known as the National Harmonica League (NHL) which supports the UK harmonica players community.
Much of my time is spent writing books with Paul Lennon on how to play the harmonica, there are 20 or so with loads more in the pipeline - we have so many ideas it never stops.
I taught children in Primary Schools around Bristol UK, with my team at HarpsCool. We introduced around 10, 000 (ten thousand) children to music through the harmonica in 22 years.
My YT videos, and their success and feedback, are the reason I am teaching on Udemy; there are millions of hits on the youtube sites and thousands of subscribers. People are kind enough to say how clear the teaching is, and how it's helped them to understand aspects of harmonica playing - at last
I run workshops at major harmonica festivals including SPAH in the US, the Bristol International Harmonica Festival in the UK, the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany - home of Hohner, and the Harmonica Masters Workshops also in Germany.
I even use the harmonica in team building events for many international companies.
Cruise Ships were part of my teaching life from 2002-2015 and the combination of teaching, performing and travelling is quite a blast. Who knew teaching the harmonica would take me to the Caribbean three times, Africa, Russia, Scandinavia, and Atlantic Europe.
You will often find me performing in various venues and going to jam sessions, and I love playing with interesting groups or sitting on a number when the opportunity arises - that's one of the wonderful things about the harmonica, you can have it in your back pocket and join in with people wherever you are.
So you are in extremely competent and safe hands, so do yourself a favour and try one of my courses - in fact, have a free lecture or two to suck it and see - that's a harmonica joke by the way.
COPYRIGHT POLICY
Firstly I need to make it clear I'm not doing this commercially - I'm not selling widgets; I'm a professional teacher trying to make a living teaching harmonica. This is not something you would do if you wanted to make a lot of money but I love doing it so I'll carry on.
If you think any copyright has been infringed please contact me immediately and I will take action.
Respect and thanks to all the artists for writing and performing these amazing songs that you want to learn.
The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Research, Education, Libraries and Archives) Regulations 2014 (extracts)
I quote:
"Not more than 5% of a work may be copied under this section by or on behalf of an educational establishment in any period of 12 months, and for these purposes a work, which incorporates another work is to be treated as a single work.
Fair dealing with a work for the purposes of private study does not infringe any copyright in the work.”
So...
Any recordings used in my courses represent less than 5% of the entire work and are already in the public domain on YouTube.
Any written transcriptions are written by me or my team to promote the work and the artist and to facilitate students who want to learn more about their music.
Any audio backing tracks are written and recorded by me or my team to promote the work and the artist and to facilitate students who want to learn more about their music.
If there was a fee for pointing students to an artist's original music (e.g. on Youtube) I would not bother teaching that music so it would not get taught and promoted by me.
If you are a copyright holder and feel I have used too much of your work please contact me and I will remove whatever you feel is inappropriate without question.
You will find my contact details of most of my websites or just google if you want to talk to me.
Ben Hewlett