[Harp-L] Need advice on youth/adult harmonica workshop/club

[Chris Talbot]

Hi, everyone.

I'm in the early planning stages for launching a youth/adult harmonica
workshop and club in my town. I'm not entirely sure the best way to achieve
success with such an undertaking, though.

I live in a remote community in Northern Canada. If you look up Fort Smith,
Northwest Territories in Google Maps, you'll see it's a pretty
out-of-the-way place with only 2,500 people. We're talking no music store,
no music venue ... but a dedicated group of musicians scattered throughout
the town.

I think I'm one of maybe three harmonica players in town.

Anyway, my issue is mostly about structuring such a group. I'm not an
accomplished player. I'm not an educator by trade. I play for fun and am
simply looking to help anyone who might be interested in playing get
started.

I'd be interested in advice/opinions from the SPAH membership. I'll have to
scrape together funds just to get things going, as I'd like to be able to
kick things off with a workshop that provides new harp players with a
diatonic harp in the key of C, one to four group lessons (not sure how many
to go with) to learn some basic techniques and a popular song or two, and
then branch out into a regular group to play and help each other improve
and learn new techniques.

Does anyone have any advice to give as I get things started?

Also, does anyone know if it's worth approaching any of the major
manufacturers for any kind of support?

Thanks in advance. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Chris