Introducing Harmonica

Group Course for Beginners

Comments from Students
Teacher
Schedule & Fee
Enrolment

Introducing Harmonica Harmonicas have come a long way from their humble beginnings as piano tuning devices in the workshop of their inventor, Christian Freidrich Ludwig Buschmann. Today there are as many different types, from bass and chord to chromatic and diatonic ('blues harp'), as there are styles of playing.

Designed for absolute beginners, this course explores the basics of diatonic harmonica playing in various styles, from folk-rock to blues. You will also be introduced to the different types of harmonica and the music associated with them. By the end of the course you should have a solid grasp of basic harmonica technique, including chugging patterns, playing single-note melodies, blues techniques and how to play along with other musicians. Time permitting, the mechanics of the instrument including repair and tuning will also be explored.

Participating students will need to have diatonic harmonicas in the keys of C, D and G (Suzuki Bluesmaster, Lee Oskar, Hohner Special 20 and Hohner Marine Band are the teacher's recommended brands), as well as First Lessons Blues Harmonica by David Barrett, before the start of the course. Both text and harmonicas are available from Waltons music shops.

Introducing Harmonica is one of our group courses for beginners. Private, partner, group and intensive harmonica lessons are also available for students at all levels, from beginner to advanced. Go to Departments & Faculty - Traditional Instruments or Departments & Faculty - Wind Instruments for more information.

Comments from Students

'Michael McInerney has the blues running through his veins. I didn't really expect much from this course, but it's so good I keep signing up for more terms of harmonica playing. Great fun too!'
– D. Salter

'A great course. The teacher was very passionate about it, and I think all the students thoroughly enjoyed it. I did!'
– R. Moore

'Great teacher – enthusiastic, good-humoured and very helpful.'
– R. McDonnell

Michael McInerney, Teacher

Michael McInerney Michael has mastered both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas and explored and taught a wide variety of styles – blues, jazz, country, rock, traditional Irish and American, and even some classical – in over twenty years of playing the instrument. His blues harp playing is strongly influenced by Sonny Terry and the more urban blues styles, while he has modelled his jazz playing on Toots Thieleman and Stevie Wonder. Michael has participated in workshops with Don Baker, Brendan Power and Johnny Mars and has also experimented with the advanced technique of ‘overblowing’ on the blues harp and the use of alternative tunings. In addition to teaching at the New School since 1995 (he also teaches our Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics and Fingerstyle Guitar Basics courses), Michael has written and performed a range of music for theatre and film and performed as a flamenco guitarist; he can also be heard on harmonica with his band Master Blaster. He holds an LGSM (P), DipJazz from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a BA in English and Philosophy from NUI Maynooth, and a Diploma in Drama Studies and an MA in Modern Drama from UCD.

2012-2013 Summer Term Schedule & Fee

5 weeks, 3 – 31 July 2013
Wednesdays 6.30 – 8.30 pm

Tuition Fee: €170

Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2013 Summer Terrm Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited to eight.

Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

Waltons New School of Music