harmonica | ArtistWorks

World Harmonica Championship: Trossingen, 1993

Wed, 10/09/2013 - 10:22am

Written by AW

We stumbled across this old rare footage from the World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen, Germany 1993 - It's in 3 parts on YouTube, which we've featured below:

The quality isn't great, but for being 20 years old, it's really cool see this at all. Here's what Howard had to say when we asked him about these:

"Wow, this stuff is pretty good. At 1:45 of the first part I play my tune "To Me You Are a Song" on an Ab harp.

In the 2nd part I start with "Round Midnight" and then at 3:00 I go into a Blues in all 12 keys, staying on the Ab harp. At 7:40 I return to the bridge of "Round Midnight" ... pretty slick. I don't remember doing any of this...

In Part 3 I start with "Love For Sale" on an Eb harp. Then at the end I go into my Beethoven violin concerto cadenza on a G harp."

Howard Levy on the Harmonica Overblow

Tue, 09/17/2013 - 9:55am

Written by AW

Topics: harmonica, Howard Levy

The Harmonica Overblow - intimidating, yes. But, it is possible. And who better to break it down than the one who coined the phrase? Lucky for his students here, you can just study his harmonica lesssons here which take you step by step through the harmonica overblow and overdraws. Howard has also written a lot about first discovering the harmonica overblow on his website Levyland, which is a fascinating insight into what it was like to pioneer this new way of playing diatonic harmonica. To read all about how Howard first came upon harmonica overblows and overdraws, click here or on the picture.

Beginner Harmonica Lessons: "Row Row Row Your Boat"

Mon, 08/05/2013 - 12:44pm

Written by AW

Topics: harmonica, Howard Levy

Are you ready for a beginner harmonica lesson on an all time childhood favorite song? In this sample harmonica lesson Howard Levy uses the classic tune "Row Row Row your Boat" to demonstrate the basics of the harmonica. We'll go over some tips so that you can begin playing harmonica to this tune in no time. So let's get started.