Harmonica2.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica11.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica10.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica6.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica9.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica5.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica7.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica8.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica1.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica4.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica3.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica2.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica11.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica10.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica6.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica9.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica5.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica7.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica8.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica1.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica4.jpg (Copy)
Harmonica3.jpg (Copy)

Beginner/Intermediate Blues Harp

$279.00

Can you blow a note on the blues harmonica - but think you need to know more to go to the next level in your playing?

Here is your chance to sound even better and truly understand the hows and whys of good playing. This course is designed to help you decode exactly what is happening on your instrument so you can build on your foundations and confidently expand your musical toolkit.

Throughout the week, we will demystify the core mechanics of the instrument, exploring what "cross harp" really means and mapping out the first five playing positions. You will learn to smoothly navigate the blues scale in 2nd position, while mastering the minor pentatonic scale across 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions. Beyond the notes, we will focus heavily on expression, showing you how to instantly enrich your tone using hand techniques and soulful vibrato.

You will unlock the first six holes of the harmonica with a versatile repertoire of moveable riffs, fills, and driving shuffle rhythms. To tie everything together, you will gain a deep understanding of the classic 12-bar blues progression so you can intuitively follow the changes. Finally, you will put your new scales and patterns to work by improvising over authentic backing tracks and developing your own freestyle creative voice.

Whether your goal is to hold your own in a solo performance or comfortably jam with a room full of other musicians, this course will give you the skills and confidence to sound like a true legend.

Can you blow a note on the blues harmonica - but think you need to know more to go to the next level in your playing?

Here is your chance to sound even better and truly understand the hows and whys of good playing. This course is designed to help you decode exactly what is happening on your instrument so you can build on your foundations and confidently expand your musical toolkit.

Throughout the week, we will demystify the core mechanics of the instrument, exploring what "cross harp" really means and mapping out the first five playing positions. You will learn to smoothly navigate the blues scale in 2nd position, while mastering the minor pentatonic scale across 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions. Beyond the notes, we will focus heavily on expression, showing you how to instantly enrich your tone using hand techniques and soulful vibrato.

You will unlock the first six holes of the harmonica with a versatile repertoire of moveable riffs, fills, and driving shuffle rhythms. To tie everything together, you will gain a deep understanding of the classic 12-bar blues progression so you can intuitively follow the changes. Finally, you will put your new scales and patterns to work by improvising over authentic backing tracks and developing your own freestyle creative voice.

Whether your goal is to hold your own in a solo performance or comfortably jam with a room full of other musicians, this course will give you the skills and confidence to sound like a true legend.

ESSENTIAL INFO

If you purchase a ticket for this course, all the information on this page will be emailed to you with your ticket.

👥 Suitable for: Ages 16 and up

📍 Venue: Bellingen High School (mobility aid accessible)

📈 Level: BEGINNER to INTERMEDIATE skill level

⏰ Schedule: Mon–Fri, 1pm – 4pm (5 Half-Days)

⚠️ Extra info: This course includes an opportunity for public performance. Students may opt out if they wish.

🚗 Check your venue: If you are booking multiple courses, we are unable to provide transport between venues.

Required skills & experience

  • This course is not suitable to be attended more than twice

  • People who already play a blues harp but would like to improve, or people who have other musical knowledge and can play a single note on a blues harp

  • Need to be able to blow and draw a single note

  • Ukelele, banjo, piano players etc. who would like to add another instrument.

Supplies that you need to bring to class

  • MUST have a good quality blues harp in the key of C – Hohner (Marine Band), Special 20, Pro Harp, Blues Harp, Tombo – Lee Oscar or Seydel (Session Steel)

  • A notepad

  • Pencil and a rubber

  • A clipboard for handouts

Learning outcomes

By the end of the week, you’ll be able to:

  • Understand what cross harp means, the first five different positions and play the minor pentatonic scale in 2nd, 3rd and 4th

  • Play the scale blues scale in 2nd position smoothly

  • Improve your tone using vibrato and hands

  • Play a range of moveable riffs and fills up and down the first six holes

  • Play 2 + shuffle rhythms

  • Understand and play along to a 12-bar blues progression

  • Improvise to a blues backing track using the learnt scales, and patterns, and add your own free style

  • Combine all of the above to either play on your own or jam with others

  • Sound like a legend!

COURSE PLAN

DAY ONE

  • Explore the first five cross harp positions. Understand the holes and notes on your C harp

  • Practice bending

  • Develop and practice the best hand position for you

  • Learn the minor pentatonic scales

  • Play a shuffle rhythm in 2nd position

  • Practice a basic improvisation

DAY TWO

  • Learn the blues scale in the second position

  • Learn a vibrato technique

  • More minor pentatonic scale work

  • Learn a ‘Pat Ramsey’ lick and practice in different positions

  • Practice playing an F on hole 2, a Bb and A on hole 3, and a Db on hole 4 (bending)

  • More improvising

DAY THREE

  • Recap and practice what’s been learnt so far

  • Learn a moveable triangle lick and play in different position

  • Learn how to play along to the 12 Bar Blues

  • Start to develop your own favourite licks

  • Add holes 8, 9 and 10 to your licks

  • Improvise in 3rd position

DAY FOUR

  • Learn some new scale intervals

  • Add some hand wah wah

  • Mix some different licks together with some sustained notes

  • Understand and practice turn arounds

  • Practice increasing speed on licks

  • Learn some new blues licks in various positions

  • Improvise in 4th position

DAY FIVE

  • Review and practice all of above

  • Talk about home practice and what to do

  • Talk about mics, amps and effect pedals

  • Prepare own solos for concert

  • Practice as a group for the concert

COURSE TUTOR

Neil Buckley

Neil started out as a brass and keyboard player, from his start in music at the age of six.

After gaining a Diploma Music Specialist in 1974 from Alexander Mackie CAE, he taught high and primary school instrumental and concert bands from 1975 to 1984 on the northern beaches in Sydney. At the same time, he played sax with a rock and roll band, with gigs all over Sydney.

Over the years since leaving the public school system, he played with A Grade brass bands and concert bands here and in the UK.

He took up blues harp as an aside to jam with guitars in the 80’s while he was playing sax. This was after doing a gig with an amazing blues player – before that, he didn’t know anything about them.

His main gigging these days however is solo – looping a 4-string CB guitar and percussion while singing and then playing over it with harp and keys.

“Neil managed to teach a bunch of beginners a lot of basics. He was patient, informative and helpful. ”
— Happy Camper Review
“Fabulous workshop excellent tutor and very hands on and interactive. Great participants also...back next year!!!”
— Happy Camper Review

Photo credits: Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 5

BUY TICKETS