The Iceman
45 posts
Jul 27, 2011
6:17 AM
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Jerry is developing an on line blues harmonica education site that is just finishing its alpha phase - a handful of people are giving it a test drive to help work out the bugs.
He is getting ready to enter a Beta phase which will open it up more to the general harmonica population.
It is very well done and methodical in its easy to understand approach, a welcome addition to the cyber offering of harmonica education.
http://harpjunction.com/forum/bb-login.php
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The Iceman
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Hondo
155 posts
Jul 28, 2011
7:35 AM
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I'm suprised that there hasn't been any response to your post. I went there yesterday, enjoyed it and got alot out of it. Recently I have been trying to concentrate on playing a rhythm and moving around from there. He has helped me some. THANKS
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The Iceman
48 posts
Jul 28, 2011
8:52 AM
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As a new entity on this site, I may have to go through the "pay your dues" period before my name on a post resonates with more of the listers here.
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The Iceman
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Hondo
158 posts
Jul 28, 2011
9:29 AM
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I don't think that I've ever looked at a persons number of posts. The subject either interests me or not.
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Honkin On Bobo
702 posts
Jul 28, 2011
9:57 AM
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Thanks for the heads up Iceman.
I just joined (it's free).
I've only spent maybe 30 minutes on the site so far, so take the following review with a grain of salt.
The site consists of 10 lessons, 20 jam tracks, a blog and a forum, all accesible for free, so long as you register (just name/valid email required). From what I can tell, the site is mainly geared toward beginner players (nothing wrong with that).
I only looked at one lesson, the bending lesson, in its entirety. If you are completely new to bending, it will surely help. If you've got some bending ability, but are having trouble with certain/all bends, I don't know that there is any special advice to help you here (it's possible though that there isn't any anywhere, maybe it's just a practice thing). As opposed to investigating what's really going on with bending jerry is more focused on showing where they are on the harp and what they sound like, not necessarily how to hit them if you're having trouble, if you're at this point I think adam's tradebit lessons are preferable. Additionally, the practice routine that I saw was somewhat unimaginative, as it did not weave them into a known tune as a way to practice them. I think adam did this on some of his free YT videos.
On the subject of the jam tracks, the sound quality was great (as it is in the lessons) and there is a nice variety of styles and keys, but they were very short (the ones I pulled up around 2 minutes). One poster on the forum already commented that just as he gets rolling he has to start the track all over again.
Now bear in mind several things: 1) the site is free, 2) I was only there once for 30 min, 3) Jerry seems quite heartfelt in genuinely trying to teach some harp playing.
In summary, definitely no WOW factor for existing harp enthusiasts, but I would say a solid site for beginners to add to their repertoire.
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tmf714
735 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:01 AM
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Thanks Ice-I beleive I was one of the first to welcome you here,and wondered if it really could be Larry-and it is you!!
Frankly,I am surprised more people have not noticed your presence. Also the "pay your dues" period should expire for you immediatley.
I registered as soon as I visited the site-Dennis Gruenling and I had a chance to record an hour long interview with Jerry when we attended Amandas Rollercoaster in Phoenix-Jerry has always held a high place on my list of great blues harmonica players.
This was not my first time speaking with Jerry-we have had some good,long phone conversations,and he has always been cordial and pleasant. Sometimes it's
tough to imagine your actually speaking with a legend-it all takes time to sink in.
Anyway-thanks again-I always find your posts enlightning and informative-both here and on Harp-l.
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The Iceman
49 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:04 AM
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If you are a registered user (perhaps as alpha or beta tester for now), Jerry does a weekly blog in which he really dissects one aspect of a great player's style. Right now he is on John Lee Williams (Sonny Boy I). He breaks down the signature licks and builds upon this.
I am an advanced player, but I enjoyed and learned from Jerry's offering. As a side bar, Jerry offers a lot of valuable advice in an offhand way, which will be missed if you don't open up and pay attention - for instance, he has you sing the idea - he is big on feeding your mind with the music as well as breaking down the ideas.
Remember, this is a work in progress, with alpha and beta testing going on and a lot of feedback being incorporated to improve the site.
Rome wasn't built in a day.
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The Iceman
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The Iceman
50 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:11 AM
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@tmf
Thanks for the welcome. Not worried about the paying your dues thang. My long and checkered past has certainly gotten a handful of on line harmonica enthusiasts in a love or hate relationship - a lot of it during the harp-l Buddha coming at me constantly years. (For the record, we buried the hatchet off list quite a while before he passed).
I certainly don't post hoping to get the spotlight, but only because I feel I have something of value to offer.
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The Iceman
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Honkin On Bobo
703 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:31 AM
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"Rome wasn't built in a day.
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The Iceman "
Absolutely, didn't mean to come of as being negative about the site. JP is obviously a tremendous player. On a reread of my comments, they probably are more suited toward a blog for suggestions than an overall general critique, and given that the site has just gone up and I was only there once briefly, perhaps I should have offered no critique at all (I have been known to hit post before thinking. No really, I have)
as much as I've rethought my original comment, I'm gonna leave it up so as not to create one of those non-sensical threads, but I trust this comment makes clear where I was coming from.
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honeydawg
38 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:38 AM
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Thanks for the tip, Iceman! It's instructive to hear how a master player thinks about the instrument and the music... even if you're an advanced player, I think.
And for what it's worth, I've valued your contributions over the years... and in 2012 it will be 20 years since we first met, at Augusta. Sheesh.
All the Best,
Howard Parks
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The Iceman
51 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:53 AM
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Howdy Howard. 20 years is the blink of an eye. Anyone been to Augusta recently (this year)? Still one of the best experiences of all, because it mixes harmonica with all other instruments and types of music for a week.
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The Iceman
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Gnarly
73 posts
Jul 28, 2011
11:11 AM
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Hi Larry--
I just assumed it was some other Iceman . . .
Gnarly
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Tommy the Hat
152 posts
Jul 28, 2011
12:03 PM
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Ok, what am I missing? lol
I went to the site (nice site) and registered. I tried to check out the lessons but it was a no go. It says the first and last lessons are free the rest are for paid members.
From the lesson page:
"The first and last lessons are FREE .. so if you’re not a member .. you can view these lessons and practice tracks to get a feel for the series."
On the blog he has a couple of Sonny Boy I youtube videos which play fine but the next one is aa vid of himself going over the technique which again doesn't play (for free).
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Tommy
Bronx Mojo
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The Iceman
52 posts
Jul 28, 2011
12:16 PM
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Yes, this is not a free site. Jerry is offering an educational service. For free you get a small tour.
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The Iceman
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Honkin On Bobo
704 posts
Jul 28, 2011
12:30 PM
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Tommy,
I simply registered with a name and E-mail address (they e-mail you your pasword)and I had access to all lessons. Try that.
edit: wait i guess you did try that, my bad...maybe i got in under the little known codicil in the Faber College by-laws the 1:30 - 1:37 EDT registration special ..i don't know.
Last Edited by on Jul 28, 2011 12:33 PM
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Blues13
130 posts
Jul 28, 2011
1:17 PM
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I registered also and didn't have any problem accessing anything.
Martin
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Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
Isaac Asimov
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BronzeWailer
190 posts
Jul 28, 2011
4:33 PM
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Looks like a good site. Thanks for the heads up.
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barbequebob
1699 posts
Jul 29, 2011
6:59 AM
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When Jerry was talking to me about doing the instructional set ghe already has out now, I had told him he should have a video version of it as well, but he didn't think much of it at the time, and now he's finally gonna be doing what I had suggested to him years ago.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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