Just paid for, downloaded and started working with Sandy's 'videolessonsonline' 15 hot OB licks and I am really impresssed with it.
I very much appreciate all the free lessons on YT offered by Adam, Jason, Alex,Buddha, etc. - and have gotten a lot from those. - but I have to say this downloaded video is VERY well put together. Easy to read tabs running alongside Sandy's demos. Licks played with and without accompnying music, medium tempo and also slowed down with a metronome.
I am doing more with the 4 & 5 OB's in cross harp than I had previously. - or should say I'm practicing more with them and believe I will work them in to my playing in the not too distant future. These are seriously good chop-builders.
For someone who shies away from one on one lessons and prefers the 'self taught' aproach - this is a very nice compromise. You get a very good teacher but get to go at your own pace in your own way. I will be buying and using more of these from him. - the 3'd P blues/jazz one for sure.
Here's the free sample of the lesson - till almost 3 mins in it's just Sandy playing - skip in to past that to get a sense of the lesson.
Sandy is an amazing player and teacher. The guy can play in all styles .. and in all positions. He's very good at giving you great exercises to really improve playing, but they require practice. He does 1-on-1 thru. video. Great choice! ---------- Greg Jones 16:23 Custom Harmonicas greg@1623customharmonicas.com 1623customharmonicas.com
Sandy was one of the original students of Howard Levy when Howard taught his week long class at Augusta Heritage Center in WV, back in the 90's, so he comes from "good stock" in his formative years.
I actually found the lesson on a link Greg's 1623 site. The fact that Sandy has Greg work on harps for him is quite a nice endorsement of Greg's work.
I should clarify that this lesson is not a beginner overblow lesson and is geared to intermediate & advanced placyers.
Re. Sandy and Howard - listening to Sandy on the video - I am continually reminded of Howard's speaking and teaching style. He is calm and focused and even his facial and verbal expressions remind me of Howard. Interesting. ----------
Last Edited by on Jul 01, 2012 9:20 AM
I love watching the source plant seeds and how each seek sprouted a different plant (or went in a different direction).
These last 2 years that Howard taught his week long class at Augusta Heritage, limited to no more than 12 students, his best students (IMO) were Carlos del Junco, Sandy Weltman and myself (along with Dr. Henry Bahnson, Paul Messenger, Skankin' Frank Skanga, etc).
Carlos took his direction towards blues and beyond, creating quirky arrangements and original tunes.
Sandy went in the folk music/Klezmer direction, and his few CD's are great representations of this. Both these guys were and still are full time musicians.
I was and still am only a part time musician, but took my direction into developing accelerated technique teaching concepts infused with a college education in music theory, trying to tie them all up into a unique and easily assimilated package.
So, while it was great to be at the right time and the right place for the groundbreaking education, it is fantastic to watch the arc of all involved continuing in different directions, all contributing the the advancement of the diatonic harmonica. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by on Jul 01, 2012 10:00 AM
