[Harp-L] HLHS



Hi All

Here's the first part of my diary as a HLHS beta tester. I can't recommend this site highly enough. Although it might put me out of a job teaching people how to play. No affiliation - just a happy punter! 



2.12.09
You might think of me more as a teacher perhaps but I have learnt more about playing the harmonica by teaching it than I have by studying it. I am a learner as well as a teacher.

Last week a friend told me about a new website -http://www.howardharmonica.com – a new style of web based study with Howard Levy.

I went on a weeklong residential course with him in the Outer Banks near the Wright Brothers testing ground about four years ago and had a great experience with the other students learning from Howard.

He turns out to be a musician and teacher without limits – funny, generous, kind, enthusiastic, supportive, tolerant, intense, and insightful about learning music on any instrument and in particular on the harmonica.

So when I heard there was another precious chance to study with a master musician who happens to play the harmonica I jumped at the chance.

The website is being tested right now so this is a fly on the wall for you guys to hear my experience whether it goes well or not!

You have to record a video and post it on the site. Howard then records a video response with some helpful advice I assume.

There are also what looks like about a hundred video lessons that Howard has filmed in advance. You get access to all of them included in the fee, which is $60 for three months I think.

This is all in the public gaze so it’s possibly going to reveal something about my playing that I should have kept private but anyway here goes.

I am using the Peter Gunn Theme to do some solo building and so I’ve recorded some impro and asked how I can make it more interesting – let’s see what he says!

3.12.09

Still waiting for Howard to comment on my video – did it ever arrive? What if he gets hundreds a day?

4.12.09

I see the response video from Howard, and – the oddest thing – I feel quite elated! He is interested in the subject (and me!) and talks about how he would approach playing the Peter Gunn Theme. He talks about how it is simple on the surface but has some intriguing tonality with phrygian mode, blues and major qualities.

I want to watch it over a few more times and try out the ideas. My plan is then to record them and re send my second effort in for critique.

Today I've been watching the videos posted by the other students and watching Howard's response to them and I've learnt a whole lot more there!

That's all for now.

Ben
Ben Hewlett
ben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.benhewlett.com
0117 908 3838
07973 284 366







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