Country and Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless

Rating:
Summary: 5-Stars from a formerly musical hopeless
Review: I bought this kit (book comes with a harmonica and cassette tape) over 10 years ago. I always liked blues harp, but assumed it would be like all those other instruments I could never master. This book/tape combination makes it a snap.

Within a few months, I was sounding good enough to be asked to play in bands--and I still do not read music well. No need to, you just follow the guidelines and you will sound great!

Best part was...all my early practicing was done in the car on the way to and from work. (I couldn't cup the hands right while driving, but could work on hitting the right notes)

I am online now buying it for a friend who asked me where I learned to play if I could teach him.

There is no better teacher than John Gindick.

Rating:
Summary: Music in your pocket
Review: I don't know if I am musically hopeless, but I certainly have never gotten much out of a harmonica. In a few short lessons with this book and tape, I was able to play "Oh Susanna" in straight harp (accent on the blow notes) and was on my way to playing single notes, "cross harp" (blues, accent on the draw notes) and riffs.

The little harmonica that comes with the book is a 10 note key of C Hohner. It is surprisingly sweet-sounding and a very good little instrument. That impressed me; I imagine once I get better at this I will still be happily playing on it. The harmonica has a protective plastic case-- the whole thing is no bigger than a candy bar. The slim paperback book is well-illustrated with a back section of quite a few straight harp folk tunes that you can play even if you don't read music. The tape is pleasant--plenty of blues guitar to jam with, and many example riffs that are the backbone of learning basic blues. The tape is also invaluable for hearing what a single note, a "bent" note, and the wah-wah sound effects are like.

If you want to teach yourself or your kids a musical instrument with not a lot of money or musical knowledge, this little kit might just do it for you.

Rating:
Summary: Start harpin' with this book
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to play the harmonica. I've tried several beginner harmonica books and this one is by far the most fun and easiest to learn from. The major emphasis is on learning to play "cross harp" blues and country riffs in accompaniment to guitar music, but it also contains one of the most extensive lists of "straight harp" tunes of any beginner book I've come across. While the other books I tried were pretty dull, this book's fun and easygoing approach kept things interesting and helped me stay motivated to practice. I also found the multimedia approach of using a book + tape far superior to using a book alone. If you're a complete beginner to the harminica, I think this is a great place to start learning how to play. If you've tried a few other books only to become frustrated because none of them helped you progress from playing a few simple tunes to playing blues and country riffs in accompaniment to other music, give this one a try. It will put you on the path to cross harp country and blues improvisation.

Rating:
Summary: Makes taking your music on the road easy
Review: Just coasted by, looking for more stuff from Gindick. All the reviews antecedent to mine are all exact - it is a great way to learn the Harp. The book's style is unpretentious, direct and to the point. I cannot (still) read music... but within a week of getting the book and tape I was riffin' enough to fool onlookers into thinking that I was an old salt at this... Great, great kit.

Rating:
Summary: For anyone who wants to play the harmonica
Review: Just the book for absolute beginners who are not sure about themselves. Teaches you the very basics and the audio cassette takes you through a few simple songs to learn and later help build your confidence before you finally are ready to try a little more stuff or jump right into the sea, whichever you choose. The accompanying harmonica is also a pretty good one. All in all a pretty good beginners set to take you through the baby steps of music creation.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss Out on the Best Harp Instructor for Beginners
Review: Musically Hopeless No More. By studying Jon's books, Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless and Rock n Blues Harmonica, I have learned how to play with a band in 9 months. Gindick speaks the language of the people while carefully teaching you the basics in a way that is interesting and fun. Since Jon recommended that I learn from as many people as I could, I have scoured the blues "how to" literature. Gindick's books are my favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Warning: Potentially Addictive.
Review: This book is a dangerous introduction to participating in music. You could very well lose important television time while you go out and play music instead of just listening.

You start out playing one harmonica then next thing your know, you're playing lots of harmonicas and experimenting with saxophone.

One day, you wake up and realize you can't leave the house without your Hammond and everywhere you go, you're dragging around a huge organ.

Not a pretty sight, really.

dtk

Rating:
Summary: Country and Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless
Review: When I wanted to learn blues harmonica I started asking around and searching the net. Everyone pointed me in the same direction. They told me Jon Gindick is the undisputed champ when it comes to harmonica teaching materials. And they told me to get this package. I got it, and couldn't be happier. The only thing I knew about music is that I liked it. Jon takes you through step by step from how to hold the harmonica, to basic music theory, to bending notes, and other techniques to get that blues sound you seek. Jon is clearly interested in getting people started on their way to a playing successfully. And the book is quite entertaining. Finally, getting a book, cassette, AND harp for this price is unbeatable. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Yeah! What a deal for hours of fun!
Review: Yes, I am a piano-lessons-dropout. Never could play a musical instrument, but now I am jammin' with a blues guitar! I practice along with the included instruction tape in the car and my commute is just a blast. It did not take long at all to get addicted and there is plenty on this tape to keep you busy for a long time. I imagine that I will eventually outgrow this 'first-timer' tape and get the intermediate instruction, but it will last you a lot longer than you think. It's fun to play along with the tape over and over again -- each time hearing yourself get better! I used the book just once to get started, went to the tape, and stayed with the tape ever since. The first time I heard the cool riffs on the tape, I thought "That is SO cool. I would love to play like that!" Now I am doing it! and coming up with my own variations. My plan is to get a tape that is 100% guitar (no instruction) and show my friends my jam session! I'll hedge my bets and make sure they enjoy a few drinks beforehand.

Incredible, and what a deal for so much fun. By the way, when I bought this, [they] said it's a book and instruction tape. When it arrived it also had a harmonica (Honer Pocket Pal). This is my thrasher, throw-it-in-the-glove-compartment harp. Based on recommendations I found on the web, I bought a quality harmonica that's solid for beginners and can support you to intermediate levels (Lee Oskar Major Diatonic, Key of C). It plays very well.