PM42
15 posts
Aug 25, 2013
12:57 PM
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So I'm very much in the learning stage of my harmonica work and as I am getting to the end of Adam's YouTube series, I'm wondering if folks have advice as to where best to turn for intruction. There aren't any personal teachers in my area that I know of (the one guy I know that plays gave me the "I play by ear and wouldn't know how to tell somebody else how to play" answer when I asked for some lessons).
I've been playing for about five and a half months, leaning mostly from Adam's YouTube, as well as his MBH downloadable lessons and some of Shellist's downloadable lessons. I also just did one of Shellist's "Personal Audio Feedback" sessions which was really useful and highly recommended for folks in a similar spot to me. I've also got Barrett's improvisation book, which I like.
So I like where I am after the amount of time I've been playing, but know I've got a long way to go, and not sure where to turn for help. Any thoughts?
One option I'm considering is subscribing to Barrett's website: anybody have thoughts on that service?
Thanks very much.
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Kingley
3050 posts
Aug 25, 2013
1:06 PM
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David Barrett's site is brilliant. There is a wealth of information on there. You might also want to consider Skye lessons with someone like Jason Ricci or Michael Rubin. When it comes to learning you really can't beat one on one lessons.
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didjcripey
606 posts
Aug 25, 2013
2:32 PM
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These days you are spoiled for choice with instruction, and plenty of it is free. I find it hard to believe you have learned all you can from Adam. I keep going back over some of his lessons from time to time and discover new gems.
You should also be at a stage where you can learn yourself by listening to other players.
I highly recommend Barrets site too. Well worth the price of admission.
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Lucky Lester
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LSC
492 posts
Aug 25, 2013
2:52 PM
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Michael Rubin, www.michaelrubinharmonica.com, is an excellent and well respected teacher. I believe he conducts distance lessons via Skype.
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LSC
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pharpo
717 posts
Aug 25, 2013
3:06 PM
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All the above mentioned stuff is great.....however there seems to be another avenue. Are there any open mikes or jams in your area......playing - with a band - is invaluable training, if you are ready.....don't be discouraged - get up there.
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Procrastinator Emeritus
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KDT
13 posts
Aug 25, 2013
3:30 PM
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PM42,
I've been playing for about a year and a half. I started with Adam's beginner lessons that he sells. After that I moved on to Dave Barret's website. It is fantastic. He teaches exclusively tongue blocking which is what I wanted. I still lip purse a lot and I have no intention of switching completely, but if you put Dave Barret and Lee Sankey (free youtube videos) together, you've got excellent TB'ing instruction.
The final piece of the puzzle for me is Skype lessons with Michael Rubin. I have had 4 or 5 lessons with him so far and it is helping a lot. As well as technique, Michael teaches basic theory and I can already see how this helps my playing. I jam with a bunch of funk/blues/rock players once a week and they never bother to tell me what key they're in. I can find the right harmonica faster and I'm happier with my note choices. I understand the music better.
The other neat thing about the theory portion of Michael's lessons is he covers the same topics in his free youtube series. This means you can review the material before or after the lessons. I am trying to stay ahead with the youtube videos. I find it helps me internalize the material better. Also, I think the theory lessons move along a bit faster. More bang for the buck.
Sometime down the road I want to take some Skype lessons from Ronnie Shellist. I tried his live group group lessons for a couple of months, but the format didn't really work for me (I should note that there seemed to be a lot of regular students in his classes doing very well, so don't assume that my experience is definitive). Ronnie seemed like a really good teacher and a super nice guy, and I think in a one on one situation I would really benefit from what he has to offer. Hopefully this rambling post helps!
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FMWoodeye
781 posts
Aug 25, 2013
5:07 PM
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Ronnie Shellist IS a good teacher AND a nice guy. I've taken a few lessons from him, and I found them very productive. I see myself as a Ronnie Shellist type player, that is, I seem to hear and express the music in a similar fashion. Just to change things up, I took a few lessons from Todd Parrott, too. I'm not really "into" country/gospel, but Todd's perspective added to my blues/rock playing, too. Todd's also a good teacher (and nice guy). Michael Rubin is on my short list for further instruction. This was all done via Skype, in the comfort of my own home. Besides teaching, a pro can listen to you, evaluate your playing and give you specific goals. I've said it many times before, but I'm afraid I'm gonna say it again. There is no substitute for one-on-one instruction. BUT...you also MUST play with other musicians, too, even if it's just a shaky guitar player in your basement.
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Greg Heumann
2333 posts
Aug 25, 2013
6:06 PM
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+1 for David Barrett
Also Jason Ricci.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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Michael Rubin
785 posts
Aug 25, 2013
7:11 PM
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Thanks for the kind words. All of these teachers are excellent. My lessons are $50 per hour. Discounts available if needed. I teach Monday thru Friday. My earliest lesson is 9am central, my latest starts 7:30pm central. My website has info and testimonials.
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arzajac
1133 posts
Aug 25, 2013
8:25 PM
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I took lessons from Greg Duncan a few years ago. He offers Skype lessons at affordable rates. Every lesson I got from him was followed up with a written handout and a video or two so that I could have a reference to "do my homework".
He started a YoutTube series of short lessons based on one lick at a time. Here he is:
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Aug 25, 2013 8:26 PM
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Gnarly
675 posts
Aug 26, 2013
12:18 AM
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I teach, and have a head full of theory from playing music for 50 years. Anyone interested in a Skype lesson, feel free to contact me. I specialize in alternate tunings, but also am knowledgeable on Richter.
None of my YouTubes are instruction per se (except for a three part series on chrom), but you can get a feel from them what my approach is. User name garylehmann (which is an anagram for gnarly heman LOL).
Last Edited by Gnarly on Aug 26, 2013 12:20 AM
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PM42
16 posts
Aug 26, 2013
2:30 PM
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Thanks for the help folks. I had never seen Rubins videos but have been finding them helpful. I think I'll subscribe to Barrett's site after I get through a busy Seltember.
To those looking for personal help from a pro but want a more affordable option than Skype lessons, I'll reiterate my recommendation for Shellist's Personal Audio Feedback sessions. It's just $15 for him to listen to ten minutes of your playing and give you specific feedback. I found it really useful.
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