
Here's the promo trailer
Let me tell you what will happen next
Quick look into the theory of bending plus a chart to download.
Please use the chart to chart your progress.
There's one as a pdf and one as a word doc so you can edit it yourself. Maybe you have some other harmonicas you wart to add to the list or even remove some.
Here's some theory using the piano
Here's a chromatic scale for reference - just so you believe me that it's possible!
If you can do this you can play all the notes on the piano right?
Like most all instruments can.
So in theory that means you can play all the major, minor and other scales in all 12 keys on all 12 harmonicas.
And therefore any tune in any key.
In theory!
If you only have one harmonica or two use the reference points in those harps or use another instrument.
For example, to check the tuning of F on hole 2 draw double bend, tune it with the F one octave higher on hole 5 draw.
Same thing for the tuning of A on hole 3 draw double bend. Tune it with the A one octave higher on hole 6 draw.
For other bends (hole 1, 4, and 5) remember there is a bent note is exactly midway between the blow and the draw notes - that should help you pitch it.
Here's the physics of bending.
This is the best advice I can give you at this stage.
Starting with the easiest bend - hole 1
Bending hole 4
Bending hole 6
Bending hole 5 - it's commonly used in blues to most people's surprise.
Bending hole 2
Bending hole 3
Using a C scale to practice bending
Here's what happens inside the body...
The easy way to bend notes on HARMONICA - yes you can do it!
This course will cover draw bending on holes 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 only but prepares the way for all the other bends which will follow in another course - the subject matter was too big for a short course like this.
Please practice every bend on every harmonica you have as I show you using another instrument or tone generator (and/or a tuning app) to get the bends right.
THEN you can start playing tunes. Start with the major scale from hole 1 and then some simple tunes that start on hole 1.
I will also make a course with a bunch of tunes specifically for practicing the bending.
Bending notes is a design fault of the harmonica - it was not planned by the originators.
When it was 'discovered' people couldn't get enough. A bit like when you 'discover' how to wheelie on your new bike!
It's now know as one of the main characteristics of the diatonic and we all love doing it.
But it's tricky and I have been teaching it for 20 years and trying to figure it out for 30.
I want to share that with you now.
If you have a tune or subject that you would like me to teach please message me.
Take this course and play the tune instantly. No musical experience needed.
You will pick it up straight away without needing any music skills. This is easy to play and really fun to learn. You will be proud of your achievements and happy with the results.
'INSTANT HARMONICA' is a new series of courses where you learn one tune per course. You will find it is taught in a friendly and encouraging manner and most importantly is it taught v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.
Ben Hewlett is a very experienced music teacher who is able to be very patient and methodical. Each lecture will introduce you to the next group of notes – usually just 4 new notes and that's it.
This method is very easy for you to pick up the tunes as they are repeated over and over again until you have got it. You can even re-run the video if you find it useful.
Take one course and learn your favourite tune. The try another. Remember you can always get your money back if you wish but otherwise you have lifetime access to the course.
Imagine how amazing it will feel when you whip out your harmonica and play this tune – your friends and family will carry you shoulder high in triumph. Hopefully they don't carry you out of town and dump you in the river, but hey, swimming's good as well.
The health benefits of playing the harmonica are well documented – google it. Your lungs get exercised, your lung capacity increases, aerobic movement is good for you, playing music makes you smarter they say.
You will have fun on your own and with your friends, and more oxygen to the brain will make you think you are having a good time so it's all good.
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The Library of Congress broadly give the same view.
“(5) 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.”
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.