Harmonica Thinking

Series 1 Country Blues complete course now available

 

Late last year I decided to make some of my intructional videos available for purchase on Vimeo's on demand platform. Thanks to everyone who has supported this move. As you may know my first series has been on Country Blues Harmonica and the complete course is now available.

You can rent the entire course for 1 year for just $30. Or you can rent individual lessons for just $3 each.  And the first 4 are completely free. 

Course Structure

Series 1 is a compregensive 5 part course comprising of over three and half hours of 15 lessons. I cover:

1) Foundational Breathing and Reed Bounce

2) The Core Rhythm

3) Shaping the Sound

4) Combining Melody and Rhythm

5) Intros and Endings

More details on my Country Blues Harmonica Series 1 home page

My approach, such that I have one, is to attempt to clearly explain and replicate my own learn journey.  I've enjoyed retracing those steps in this series about a style of harmonica I love and play a lot. Country blues is just a brilliant genre for creating that full one man sound. 

I've been flattered by the reaction. So far the course has received 11 Five star ratings which means a lot to me. Ultimately, that's the best endorsement, right?  Thanks to all of you who have written a review.

If you are serious about learning to play Sonny Terry style or Country Blues harmonica consider taking this course. I'm confident it will give you new perspective, techniques, skills and ideas.

If you have any questions you can email me at [email protected]

Lee

 

Two New Series 1 Country Blues Lessons Available Now

Lessons 12 and 13 from my Series 1 on playing Country Blues Harmonica are now available to buy on Vimeo.

These two lessons work together and explain one of my favourite call and response phrases. It has a lovely gospel, happy feel. It's also a lovely phrase to work with in building instensity into a country blues rhythmic piece.

The reason for explaining this particular phrase at this point in the series is that it provides a great way to refine a few key techniques that pave the way from more advanced concepts and tunes coming in Series 2. If you've been working through all the lessons from the beginning this is the point where we step up the tongue blocking element. These 2 lessons are not aimed at complete beginners, more intermediate level.

In these videos you will

- Refine combining tongue blocking and lip pursing

- Play a phrase in both the low and high register

- Refine maintaining the rhythmic pulse whislt playing a melodic phrase

- Create 4 and 8 bar sections from the call and respond riff and round off using an octave run. 

All very cool. I hope you've been enjoying the series so far and that the lessons provide the level of detail, guidance and insight that helps you become a better player. A big thanks to everyone who been following the lessons. Just two more to go and we will wrap up series 1.

Lee

New Solo Blues Harmonica Instrumental - Fresh Madalenes

Here's a new tune I just posted online. It's inspired by my girlfriend's baking and has a country blues vibe. 

If you are interested in learning this style of harmonica remember to take a look at my Country Blues Harmonica Series 1 on Vimeo. 

Thanks for all the continued interest out there in my music and tutorials. Especially to my YouTube subscribers and everyone who has supported the launch of my chargable lessons on Vimeo.  Wishing everyone a wonderful 2014! 

  

Blues Harmonica Solo Instrumental - "Fresh Madalenes" from Lee Sankey Blues Harmonica on Vimeo.