Pajdusko Oro- Bluesy Macedonian Tune

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 1:22pm
Written by howard

This is a Bluesy, Intermediate level tune in 5/8 time from Macedonia. It's a dance rhythm in Eastern Europe, as natural to them as 4/4 is to us. Check out the lesson here. The tune is fun to play, even if you just figure out the rhythmic vamping, or play one section of it.

macedonia

Howard Levy - Harmonica in Kiev

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:28pm
Written by AW

howard levy harmonicaHoward Levy was recently in Kiev, Ukraine for a harmonica workshop sponsored by the Kiev Harmonica School. The workshop had over 85 harmonica students in attendance, including some who take harmonica lessons online with Howard here at ArtistWorks

The following night Howard played a solo concert to a captivated audience of almost 300. Organizers later told him he was the first harmonica player to ever get a standing ovation in Kiev. There's a nice clip of Howard playing that night at the Kiev JazzVa club that someone in the audience recorded, check it out here.

© Igor Snisarenko www.live.kiev.ua 

Why You Should Learn Harmonica - by Howard Levy

Wed, 10/10/2012 - 12:00am
Written by AW

howard levy

I've spoken with many people who want to learn to play an instrument.  Naturally, my advice is to learn how to play harmonica, the friendliest of all instruments. You can put this little baby in your pocket, take it out whenever the urge hits you and bang- instant music. Even if you barely know how to play, the humble harmonica is very obliging- put your mouth anywhere and blow, and a major chord comes out. Do the same thing on the inhale, and a seventh chord, a ninth chord, or a minor chord will come out. It’s the only wind instrument that can play chords- not to mention rhythms, and of course, single notes. Or combinations of chords, rhythms and single notes, and even counterpoint! There is so much music hiding inside this little instrument! As you learn harmonica, it will delight you, impress your friends, fill you with a sense of wonder, even joy, at the hidden treasures that you gradually unlock as you play more and more. 

Happy Birthday Howard!

Tue, 07/31/2012 - 10:48am
Written by AW

Today we celebrate the birthday of the amazing Howard Levy!

For anyone not familiar with Howard's unique musicianship, have a look at how he plays Amazing Grace on harmonica. This was recorded at the 2010's SPAH Convention (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica), where Howard was awarded "Player of the Year" .