RE: [Harp-L] best harp instructional material (was Harp-L Digest, Vol 35, Issue 40)

["Bill Hines" <billhines4@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

"If anyone can suggest the best instructional materials"

You are smart to ask. There's a *lot* of really bad instructional
material out there, so you want to spend your dollars wisely.

You don't say what style you want to learn so that might make a
difference. To get started I recommend Jon Gindick's Rock 'n Blues
Harmonica book/cd Volume I:
http://www.gindick.com/Engine/Shopping/catalog.asp?store=6&category=123
you will also see his harmonica americana cd there if you are more
interested in that than rock/blues. After that, if it's the blues style,
I suggest the Portnoy CD set (not much of a book with it, but that's
good if you are learning audibly or in the car for example), or if you
are really interested in starting at square one and going through
through intermediate to expert (and mind you this will take *years*), I
think that David Barrett has the most comprehensive set of instruction
anywhere, and it's good stuff if you have the discipline to stick with
it and don't have a need to be "entertained" while you are learning.
It's very thorough and comprehensive material. The info on that is at:
http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/HMLS.htm

That said, don't discount the value of maybe supplementing this with
some time with a good instructor in your area (ask here if there are any
where you live) as well. Some of these guys now like Dennis Greunling
have the technology to do lessons remotely with PC videocams on both
ends. Some like Jon Gindick have harp jam camps all over the US and now
in other countries. 

Stay on the list here and read everything and be a student, ask
questions. Welcome aboard and good luck!

Bill Hines
Hershey, PA