Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 047033729X
ISBN-13: 978-0470337295
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (156 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #336,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #31 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Instruments > Woodwinds > Harmonicas #2639 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Instruction & Study #30121 in Books > Humor & Entertainment
This book is truly well-written. It is crystal clear, follows a progressive course of instruction from end-to-end without any out-of-place interruptions, has no errors that I've been able to find, and actually covers more than most beginning players really want or need to know initially (e.g., playing in other than the first and second positions).The accompanying CD is also excellent. While the tunes, in typical instruction book fashion, aren't anything you'd want to listen to for entertainment, as they are the usual folk tunes long out of copyright, they are well-recorded and each track is played in exactly the manner needed to illustrate whatever playing principle is being demonstrated. The backing instrumentation never overwhelms the harp, and the harp is played with only the techniques and ornamentation (bends, articulation, wah, etc.) appropriate to the topic. The tracks are already in MP3 format, so there's no need to rip them down to your PC for your iPod.If you already play an instrument, there is material in this book that you can bypass, including notation, basic (very) music theory, and the like. It doesn't dominate the book and for the most part is contained in the first few chapters. Speedread through this material for the few harmonica-specific comments.The book has few pictures or illustrations - but those it has are spot-on. Hand positions are illustrated. Tongue and mouth positions are illustrated. There are pictures in the repair and maintenance chapters. That's about it, but that's all that's needed, and I never felt the need for more. In fact, I particularly appreciated the embouchure (mouth and tongue) illustrations, which were better than I'd seen elsewhere to-date.
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