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John Sebastian, one of the most popular harmonica players of our time, teaches all the basics in this friendly, jam-along lesson. You'll start by learning how to hold the instrument and play your first notes using both the "straight" scale and the blues "cross-harp" mode. Before long you'll be getting the sounds that the pros get: vibrato, note-bending, wah-wahs, tonguing, rhythm playing, train effects and a variety of great licks and solos that you can use either as a soloist or in a band.
This is a lesson that will lay down a solid foundation for more advanced study. Even if you already play you'll want to take advantage of the expertise of this veteran performer and recording artist. You'll even get to jam along with some great rhythm grooves by Conan O'Brien Band guitarist Jimmy Vivino. By the end of this DVD John sits out a few while you take over the solos. You'll soon be blowing blues, rock and country harp with the best of them!
(about 80 minutes)
This video was added to our catalog on March 19, 2005 in Musical Instruction::Harmonica.
Product availability: available now, ships immediately!
This video is excellent for hearing and learning both the basics of holding and playing the blues harp, and also some advanced techniques and riffs. Sebastian has credibility and the chops. I've heard other instructional tapes where the demonstrated "blues" playing was complete white bread - about as blue-sy as a polka band. Sebastian's playing is emoted and authentic. I have CDs of the original blues artists, and Sebastian's riffs fit right in - once I get them down and can play them like he did. I recommend this video for someone who wants to create the sounds of the old time blues legends of the blues harp.
Although he seems at times to be making some stuff up as he goes, KUDOS to John Sebastian for being so UN-self-conscious. It's as if he's explaining how to play harp to a younger family member, so he doesn't care if he looks a little weird as he explains things. The point is; you GET it, in a way I haven't seen in this much detail and clarity in other harp how-to videos.
"Blues Harmonica" is an "Excellent" DVD.
