HARMONICA BOOKS and INSTRUCTION
Here's a few things to keep in mind while picking out harmonica books:
First, it is a really good idea to get a recording to go along with the book, or in the case of ebooks that the recordings are imbedded in the book.
Secondly, don't take a book seriously that says anthing about "instant", "overnight", things like that - it's just not the way the harmonica works - the harmonica is a mouth instrument with no visible moving parts - despite everyone's best efforts, there still will be lots of things that you will have to work out/work on yourself.
Thirdly, a lot of people have trouble beginning to learn to play the harmonica, so if you are one of those people don't feel bad - you are in the same boat with many, no, make that most people, including lots of professional musicians. If you are one of those people then our highest recommendation is JP Allen's Harmonica Lessons, a proven system that really works for you who want to get started as quickly as possible playing something that sounds good, makes you feel good about your harmonica and feel encouraged to do more.
Fourth: You most likely will want to sample a range of products - each has their own angle and approach and there might be that little nugget in there that is just what you are needing at the time!
Fifth: Listening and/or watching is very important - to keep up your inspiration of course, but also listening is an art form that will teach you a lot about what you are striving for, and watching players live and on dvd is a great thing too.
J.P. Allens "Learn to Play Harmonica" DVD Course
The newly updated version of JP ALLEN'S RHYTHM HARMONICA METHOD is designed specifically for beginners and non-musicians.
This is perhaps the only harmonica method in the world that has been tested and refined in college classrooms on over 1,000 beginners and non-musicians for an entire decade (both at the University of Texas and Austin Community College). With this course you'll be playing the songs you love, showing off to friends and family, and sounding like a pro in no time.
Rock n' Blues Harmonica 224 Page book and 73- Minute CD Jamming Buddy
This is a quite popular book on starting to play blues harmonica.
DVD-Anyone Can Play Harmonica-An Easy Guide to Getting Started
Madcat is a great player and also has lots of experience with the beginner's phase of harmonica playing: DVD.
Irish and American Fiddle Tunes for Harmonica
An intermediate book/cd - it is chock full of great tunes to learn to play - gets you out of the "just riffing around" rut.
Bluegrass Harmonica
Mike Stevens is a blazing fast Canadian harmonica player - this book is not for beginners (even though it has a beginners section), but it is really good to add actual tunes to your repertoire instead of just blues riffs.
Paul Butterfield - Blues Harmonica Master Class: Book/CD Pack
This also is not for beginners, but has lots of great blues riffs in it.
DVD-New Directions For Harmonica-Expanding Your Technique
Howard Levy is THE MASTER diatonic harmonica player in the World at this time - his technique is amazing.
Not Instruction, but Recommended:
Paul Butterfield Blues Band/East West
The band so many are following in the footsteps of...
James Cotton Live & On the Move
Bluesy funky James Cotton at his best live
Don't Start Me Talkin' - The Junior Wells Story
Some background on Junior Well's story and the blues
Harmonica CDs, DVDs, and MP3 downloads -New!
Harmonica books and instruction
Diatonic harmonicas
Chromatic harmonicas
Tremolo and Echo
Minor harmonicas
Special-tuned diatonics
Harmonica Packs and Packages
Harmonica Accessories
Harmonica racks, holders
Mini-harmonicas
