SKU: MB.20943M

ISBN 9780786690206. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

Improvising Blues Harmonica, by authors David Barrett and John Garcia, is a groundbreaking method explaining the mysterious world of improvising. This book and recording cover: chorus forms; what licks, riffs, melodies and phrases are made of; scale and chord theory; concepts for soloing focus notes ; phrase shaping; accompaniment playing; hooks, heads and bridges; elements that add unity to an instrumental; instrumental song analysis; learning solos note for note and retaining licks. Concepts in this material have been proven over a decade of private lessons and workshops held around the world. If you are looking to go the next step in your soloing skills, this material will take you there. For intermediate and advanced blues harmonica players. Recording uses C and A major diatonic harmonicas. Examples presented in the book are played by the authors. Full-length study songs are also included. 80 pages in length with access to online audio.

SKU: MB.30952M

ISBN 9781513474434. 8.75X11.75 inches.

Among the various instruments for which the Beautiful American Airs and Ballads series was conceived, the diatonic harmonica is a standout. With or without the ôbendsö played by the author on the companion online recording, the 19 plaintive, single-note melodies in this book are guaranteed to engage the player and move the listener.áThe music herein is written in standard notation and blow/draw harmonica tablature for the diatonic harmonica in C. Suggested accompaniment chords are also provided. Using the tablature alone, this music can be played on any diatonic harmonica in a different harmonica key; for example, using a G or A diatonic harmonica, the instrument itself will make the mechanical transposition. The chords, however, would have to be transposed by the accompanist.Phil Duncan has written more than 40 harmonica books for Mel Bay Publications. He believes that participation is key to the enjoyment of music, and that the harmonica and tunes in this collection are the perfect vehicles for that participation.ôTunes like these may have been overlooked or forgotten in this stressful worldùbut playing them will help you regain and renew the sense of calm essential to our identity as Americansà Pick out a fewàpick up your harmonica and enjoy.öùPhil Duncan.