Rock n' Blues Harmonica: A World of Harp Knowledge, Songs, Stories, Lessons, Riffs, Techniques and Audio Index for a New Generation of Harp Players (Includes ... book and 74 minute stereo CD Jamming Buddy)

asked by nutshell on November 14, 2006 8:53 AM

Here's a rich world of blues harmonica instruction and music for beginning through intermediate players.

Inspired by the idea that most music instruction literature is boring and irrelevant to most people most of the time, Rock n' Blues taches improvisational blues harmonica in a way that gets through the even the most instruction-hating, throy-phobic, eye-closed, "leave-me-alone-I'm-jamming" harp player. THE BOOK includes choosing your harp, first sounds, getting sweet tone, playing chords, playing single notes, basic blues riffs, I-IV-V blues progressions, bending, tongue-blocking, octaves and splits, vibrato, headshakes, mics and amps, positions 1 through 6 plus 12, reed tuning, famous cross harp melodies and more. The audio index tells you the key of harmonica you need to jam with the great blues recordings.

On THE CD, Jon plays every major harp technique over an easy-jamming, blues-band background for your C harmonica. Turn off the instruction to hear only the band. Turn off the band to hear only the instruction. This fully indexed 74 minute audio program will be a constant companion as you develop your tone and techniques.

THE HARMONICA is a Hohner Bluesband in the key of C, regularly retailing at $6. It is capable of sweet tone, bending and blues.

Buy this book

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Reviews

Gidnick's books and videos are the best to start with. I began by watching his Play Harmonica Overnight video. It's very good. This book covers everything in the video and goes way beyond.

That being said, the whole Caveman theme of the book is just plain dumb. If you can get past it, the content is outstanding, especially the CD. I'm glad I went through this book cover to cover, but I wouldn't have wanted anybody I knew to see me with it. The Caveman bit is just that embarassing.

reviewed by skywalker on November 18, 2006 5:30 PM

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I'd had so much fun with the Harmonica Americana book that I sought out the Rock n' Blues to further my introduction to cross harp. I think Gindick is a great instructor, at least through these books, and I am glad I got the book. However, I don't get the caveman narrative, and I can see why another reviewer thought it might be offensive. Why is this supposed to be more accessible if we follow the tale of a great caveman harmonica player and his neanderthal pals? Why is music theory more logical if Adam and Eve explain it via glasses of iced tea? Offensive or not, I find it so annoying that I find myself skipping pages of text just to avoid it all and stick to the lessons immediately surrounding the riffs.

reviewed by speed5599 on November 22, 2006 7:16 AM

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I am a beginner on the harmonica. I have used a couple of books and CD's to help learn in the past month but this one is by far the best that I have used. I like the way Gindick uses a fictional story to teach the concepts. Makes it entertaining and interesting. The CD is awesome. I like the way he teaches a melody (like "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in 2nd position) and then expands on it later on adding lots of blues riffs once you learn the riffs. I look forward to purchasing more of Gindick's material later on as I progress.

reviewed by runabout on November 27, 2006 7:37 PM

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I own a LOT of Gindick stuff. I originally bought his clutz press book 11+ years ago and played the Pocket Pal it came with until I blew out three notes. I was hooked. Later I bought his add on tapes - and played them until they nearly burned out. I bought BOTH versions of his rock and blues book and think his presentation has gotten nothing but better. However, the CD's are REALLY where it is at. He fill in all the gaps, give you workshop CD's and does a lot more. I honestly can say Jon Gindick taught me everything I know about the harmonica and I have never met him (although I am saving for one of his Jam Camps).

I check his web site now and again to see if there is anything new (then buy it) and he sends me newsletters with all sorts of free knowledge and tabs.

I tried other books... this, by far, is the best for beginners who know nothing, can't read music, and think they are hopeless. I am serious when I say - you too will be jamming with a band at the end if you work hard.

Jason

reviewed by webin on November 29, 2006 11:33 AM

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I bought several Book/CD beginner instructional materials for harmonica. Once I started with Jon Gindicks material I could not put it down. For the alsolute beginner that really wants to learn how to play blues harp I believe this is the best material available. Both the book and the CD are great.

reviewed by perfectstorm on November 29, 2006 2:04 PM

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add a new book!