Re: still struggling

[haandruss@xxxxxxx (Harvey A. Andruss, III)]

Per Joe's note:

>There is an excellent book called The Harmonica Handbook, but I can't think
>of the author right now.  I'll check when I get home if nobody else answers
>here first.  It's not much on playing instruction, but it has a LOT of
>great info about the instrument.

I guess it used to be hard to get (Germany only?), but it's showing up at
all the music stores here now.  Author is of course Steve Baker, of 14 hole
SBS fame.  The default config. is without the audio cassette tape (used to
be the other way around). I think it's still about $10-15 (?)

>Kevin also writes:
>>Also, I have massive hands which currently seems to
>>be a bit of a hindrance to playing.  So any suggestions around this
>>apparent problem would be helpful too.
>
>Actually, I have small hands (hey, watch it you guys... no jokes!) and I've
>always WISHED I had massive hands.  It seems like it would be advantageous
>when it come to hand - and especially mic - technique.  So you may find
>that your "hindrance" is actually a blessing.

Yo - isn't that why Big Walter sounded so cool -- ability to make such a
big cups over the mike?  Sounds like you were born to play........oops I
see Timm just made the asame comment 2 hours ago (just received)..:)

And David's question:

>Also, is there any music for harmonicas out there (like sheet music for a
>Charlie Musselwhite album)?

Charlie has his own book:  _The Harmonica Acc. to Charlie Musslewhite_, and
then teamed up with Phil Duncan, of Mel Bay fame, for another called _Power
Blues Harp_.  I've seen the latter in the stores, which looks pretty  good.
 I actually prefer another one I saw called "Building Harmonica Technique"
by David Barett, also thru Mel Bay now.  There all $16  or so.  Kevin of
Kevin's Harps' recommended Gary Primich's _Blues Harmonica:  The Basics and
Beyond_.  This is of course all blues-oriented, and there are many more. 
David Harp's books are simplistic, but good value. ( I got _Bending the
Blues_ and the book is not as good as just the audio tape). 

I just counted over 50 entries for instructional material (books,
cassettes, videos) in Kevin's Spring/Summer '94 catalog (1-800-274-2776). 
Workshop Records has 25 entries (1-800-543-6125, mostly same stuff, but two
new Charlie McCoy videos are in there @ $25 each).  So it's out there. 

Regards,                  haandruss@xxxxxxx                  
Harv                      *Opinions my own*