Leader in Blues Harmonica Education

| Home | Workshops | Instruction Material |

About the Author David Barrett
Harmonica Masterclass Lesson Series

  Click the cart to check your order

 
Choose from over 40 FREE GIFTS (one per order) when ordering from our website!
New: Blues Harmonica Accompaniment Playing / Improvising Blues Harmonica
 
 

Lesson Series Level 1

Improvising Blues Harmonica Book/CD

Price: $19.95
Length: 80 Pages
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Recording Includes: Examples in book played by author David Barrett. Keys used: C and A

Description: Improvising Blues Harmonica is a groundbreaking method explaining the mysterious world of blues improvisation. This book and recording cover: chorus forms; what licks, riffs, melodies and phrases are made of; scale and chord theory; concepts for soloing (focus notes); phrase shaping; basic accompaniment playing; hooks, heads and bridges; elements that add unity to an instrumental; instrumental song analysis; learning solos note for note and retaining licks. Concepts in this material have been proven over a decade of private lessons and workshops held around the world. If you are looking to go the next step in your soloing skills, this material will take you there.

Reviews:
“Dave has taken pen and paper and given musicians who strive for artistic achievement all the knowledge only a few great players have grasped.” Rod Piazza

“Bottom line is that your books is brilliant.” Joe Filisko

“David Barrett has inspired many harmonica players to new heights in their playing. That trend will undoubtedly continue with this new book.” Gary Primich."

"David Barrett and John Garcia have crafted an imaginative book about blues harmonica, and this is one of the very finest instruction works to come along in years. It makes learning about blues harmonica fun while educating at the same time. Congratulations to the authors and Mel Bay Publications for this excellent book. Highly recommended. This is the perfect way to learn about improvising blues harmonica." By Lee Prosser for JazzReview.com


Table Of Contents:

What is Improvisation?

Chapter 1 – Chorus Forms

      Part 1 – The First Four Measures

      Part 2 – Repetition, The Chorus Form Concept

            AAA Chorus Form

            AAB Chorus Form

            AAA & AAB with Fills

            A B/A C Chorus Form

            Chord Change & Sequence Chorus Forms

            ABC Chorus Form

      Part 3 – Chorus Forms, the Decision Process

      Part 4 – Chorus Forms Context, A Quick Lesson

Chapter 2 – What Licks, Riffs, Melodies, and Phrases are Made of

      Scale & Chord Theory

      Triads
      Chord Qualities

      Modes

      Arpeggios & Chord Scales
      Major & Minor Pentatonic

      Blues Scale Soloing

      Quartertones Used in Soloing

      Substitutions

      Intervals

      A Word About Scales & Music Theory

      Why Chorus Forms Work

Chapter 3 – Putting it All Together
      Part 1 – Concepts for Soloing (Focus Notes)

            Phrase Shaping – Part 1, Target Notes & Dynamics

            Phrase Shaping – Part 2, Important Points within a Phrase
            Phrase Shaping – Part 3, Active and Non-Active Tones

            The Last Four Measures
            Accompaniment Playing
            Phrase Chains
            Other Than Twelve Bar Blues Phrasing
      Part 2 – Soloing Themes (The Head)

            Hook

            Hook & Head Importance
            Bridge

            Body
            Elements that Add Unity to an Instrumental (A Review)
Chapter 4 – Song Analysis

            “Lick Train”

            “Serious Fun”
            “Chicago Style”

Chapter 5 – Important Study Focus

            Learning Solos Note for Note & Retaining Licks

            The Whole Musician
Blues Standards

Blues Harmonica Instrumentals

Appendix: Scales, Overbends & Chord-Tone Soloing
Recommended Books
 

Click the cart to add this book/CD to your order

Click the cart to add this Book/CD and Blues Harmonica Accompaniment Playing Book/CD to your order

Harmonica Masterclass® Company | Home | Free Newsletter | Contact Us