Q: What books on harmonica history are there?
Kim Field’s “Harps, Harmonicas and Heavy Breathers” is an excellent book
that covers a lot of history, style and even contains a lot of interviews
with players — BB
It also has an extensive bibliography, which is highly recommended.
Also Hohner’s “Made in Germany, Played in the USA” — HA
Q: What books of harmonica music are there?
A: There is an extensive list of folios complied by Douglas Tate called
“Classical Music for Harmonica” on the HarmoniGopher, or via web on:
gopher://gopher.wku.edu:70/00gopher_root%3A%5Bharp%5Dclassical.txt
Charlie has his own book: _The Harmonica Acc. to Charlie Musslewhite_, and
then teamed up with Phil Duncan, of Mel Bay fame, for another called _Power
Blues Harp_. I’ve seen the latter in the stores, which looks pretty good.
I actually prefer another one I saw called “Building Harmonica Technique”
by David Barrett, also through Mel Bay now. There all $16 or so. Kevin of
Kevin’s Harps’ recommended Gary Primich’s _Blues Harmonica: The Basics and
Beyond_. This is of course all blues-oriented, and there are many more.
David Harp’s books are simplistic, but good value. ( I got _Bending the
Blues_ and the book is not as good as just the audio tape).
I just counted over 50 entries for instructional material (books,
cassettes, videos) in Kevin’s Spring/Summer ’94 catalog (1-800-274-2776).
Workshop Records has 25 entries (1-800-543-6125, mostly same stuff, but two
new Charlie McCoy videos are in there @ $25 each). So it’s out there.
–“Re: still struggling” 26 Aug 94 HA
>From 19 Mar 1992 JE:
JAZZ HARP Oak Publications by Richard Hunter
Includes a recording of examples of various styles and techniques by
different artists. Good stuff if you want to get into jazz or if you just
want an education in jazz. Contains tricks and methods (i.e. how to
overblow a reed) useful in any style playing.
BLUES HARP Mel Bay Publications by Phil Duncan
Covers diatonic and chromatic harmonica. Uses standard notation and a
number system. An excellent beginners guide. Phil is a school teacher and
knows the harmonica well. A combination that is hard to beat. Phil has
authored several harmonica books for Mel Bay Publications, all are good.
BLUES HARMONICA (Book and Cassette Tape)
Mel Bay Publications by Charlie Musselwhite & Phil Duncan
Very well written and illustrated with an excellent companion cassette
tape. Explains some techniques we have not seen mentioned in other books.
THE NATURAL BLUES & COUNTRY WESTERN HARMONICA by Jon Gindick
Lots of illustrations and Humor throughout but also full of good
information. An extensive record index is included. Highly recommended
book for the beginner. Another book titled “Blues Harp for the Musically
Hopeless” Book, Harp & Tape – very similar to the above book. Jon also
has a video tape (good) and several cassette tapes available.
(the following from Home Spun Tapes, Inc.)
INSTRUCTIONAL TAPES (set of six cassette tapes – no book) Excellent!
Six (6) blues harp tapes by John Sebastian and Paul Butterfield.
VIDEO TAPE by John Sebastian – For beginners, well done.
About on the same level as the Gindick video.
NEW VIDEO INSTRUCTION TAPE BY HOWARD LEVY
(plays Harp, Keyboards, Ocarina, Penny Whistle, etc. with Bela Fleck and
the Fleck Tones).
Some of us have met or at least heard Howard play and he is incredible! He
blew us away in Memphis last May — His 12 key improvisation on one
diatonic harp is a show stopper. Makes us Chro’ players want to break off
our slide buttons. IMHO – This is THE video for diatonic.
Write for catalog ——> Homespun Tapes Ltd.
Box 694
Woodstock, New York 12498
BENDING THE BLUES (Book) Publication date unknown but fairly new.
musical i press – San Francisco, California by David Harp
This is a small book but packed with concise, well written information on
many facets of short harp playing. Other musical i press books. Bending:
The Cassette, companion tape to Bending The Blues, $9.95. Instant Blues
Harmonica, Vol. I & II $12.95 (each?). Book & cassette. Vol. I for “C”
harp, Vol. II for “A” harp. Harmonica Positions, $9.95. Book & cassette.
Play any harmonica in 5 different keys (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th
position). or any level player. Make Me Musical $19.95. Book & cassette.
Instant harmonica education for kids, carefully programmed for ages 4-9.
Includes section on reading standard musical notation.
THE HARP HANDBOOK (book and cassette tape) Very Highly Recommended!
Distributed by Hohner – by Steve Baker
This is probably the best book ever written on the diatonic harmonica.
(Peter MADCAT Ruth says so). The book covers harmonica history,
construction and manufacture, how it works, different positions, playing
techniques, styles, different tunings (including the SBS special tuned
Marine Band – finally available in the US), tuning, maintenance,
customizing, amplification and more. Very well written and illustrated.
Order direct from… Hohner, Inc.
P.O. Box 15035
Richmond, Virginia 2322
BLUES AND ALL THAT JAZZ by Cham-Ber Huang – List about $25 – includes a
special solo tuned diatonic, book, and MMO type cassette. The 1st half of
the course can be completed with the included harmonica, the 2nd half
requires a chromatic. (The solo tuned diatonic “eases” you into the
chromatic layout and tuning). Notation in the book is both by number and
standard music notation. If not available in your music store try F&R
Farrell (below) or Write: Insignia International, Inc., 12A Seabro
Avenue, North Amityville, New York 11701 – Attn: Cham-Ber Huang
POWER HARP by Charlie Musselwhite and Phil Duncan – Mel Bay Publications
I think this one also includes a cassette tape and according to others
who have seen it this is another excellent book and highly recommended.
MEL BAY’S COMPLETE HARMONICA BOOK by Phil Duncan – Mel Bay Publications
(MB94713) ISBN 1-56222-280-5 – I just borrowed this book from a friend last
night. Published in 1992 – This is a thick (237 pages) book which covers
several styles and playing techniques. Diatonic, cross-harp, and chromatic
types of harmonicas are used. Traditional folk, blues, rock, bluegrass,
country, gospel, jazz, and classical styles are represented. The diatonic
and chromatic basics are given, and there is even a section on bass and
chord harmonica. Plus several songs with standard and by number notation. A
companion cassette tape is available at extra $. The book alone costs
$17.95, a little high but I say well worth it.
Another good local source for harmonica books is your public library – also
good source for tapes/CD’s – Better music stores or sheet music stores
stock a variety of harmonica method books. The sheet music store in
Columbus (Stanton’s) has 15 or 20 harmonica books — 19 Mar 1992 JE
Before I recommend any books I have to recommend that you learn to
read music. [a] It makes learning the chromatic easier – or at least a
more logical process. [b] It will help you learn / understand jazz. [c]
Most chromatic courses and I suspect jazz courses are based on reading.
(What? this from one who learned chromatic by ear???)
Now my recommendations FWTW…
I would recommend two books. (the first from an earlier post)
#1 Tommy Morgan’s “Chromatic Harmonica Method” HF-2004
Originally: Gwyn Publishing Co. – Warner Bros. Publications Inc.
75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10019
***New Publisher: Alfred’s publishing – Cat. number 3341 – Address n/a ***
This was copyrighted 1972 – so I don’t know how good the address is – but
it’s still the best book on chromatic I have ever seen. Check a good music
store or sheet music house. It may still be in print – in fact I’m curious
whether it is. Also contains brief section on chord and bass harmonica —
I just called Stanton’s Music (Columbus) and they say it is in print –
However now by Alfred’s publishing – Catalog number 3341 – It would be my
guess this is a re-print of the same or very similar book. They do not have
it in stock otherwise I would stop in and check it out. (Winslow replied
and confirmed that this is the same book) —- BTW – They take phone / mail
orders…Stanton’s Sheet Music (614)224-4257, 339 S. 4th St., Columbus, OH
43215
#2 An Introduction to Jazz Style on the Chromatic Harmonica
Arranged by Ted Simons – Performed by Charlie Leighton, Harmonica
and Ted Simons, Piano. (Book and Audio Tape)
Includes both sheet music and an instructional audio tape. Five familiar
tunes, arranged in common keys – two choruses each. “The first chorus is
the basic melody, the second is a variation on the melody in a jazz style
that captures the feel of an improvised chorus”. The sheet music includes
transcriptions of both choruses for each tune – also includes chord
symbols. Tape side A has harmonica with piano accompaniment. Side B has
piano only, ala MMO. $19.95 + $1.50 from Farrell.
A friend got this and after listening to a couple tunes and looking at the
book I ordered it for myself. Maybe it’s because I like the tunes (“Blue
Skies”, “I Can’t Get Started”, “What’s New”, “Our Love Is Here To Stay”,
and “Exactly Like You”.) – Or maybe it’s Charlie’s beautiful playing???
The arrangements look pretty easy (and I’m a so-so reader – I still have to
go through the EGBDF and FACE routine). Some are in the key of C and others
in F if I remember correctly.– “RE: Good chromatic book?” 28 Sep 94 JE
BLUES AND ALL THAT JAZZ by Cham-Ber Huang – List about $25 –
includes a special solo tuned diatonic, book, and MMO type cassette. The
1st half of
the course can be completed with the included harmonica, the 2nd half
requires a chromatic. (The solo tuned diatonic “eases” you into the
chromatic layout and tuning). Notation in the book is both by number and
standard music notation. If not available in your music store try F&R
Farrell or Write: Insignia International, Inc., 12A Seabro Avenue, North
Amityville, New York 11701 – Attn: Cham-Ber Huang
F & R Farrell sells his books. “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About
The Chromatic Harmonica” (comes with instructional record) and “Everything
You Always Wanted To Know About The Blues And Marine Band Harmonica”.
Also carries two cassettes “Best Of The Light Classics” and Music For
Listening”. -F & R Farrell Co., P.O. Box 133, Harrisburg, Ohio 43216.
Blackie is an excellent showman and technician, seeing his act live is very
entertaining. Plays mostly chromatic and has a repertoire ranging from
classical to country. Lives in New York (area) and still performing.
Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being able to play “Hora
Staccato”, a total of 1096 notes, in 90 seconds — “Post#3” 13 Nov 92 JE
