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HARP SURGERY

the harmonica player's web site – tuition, reviews and interviews




 * About
   * Biography
   * Services
   * Podcast
   * Life At The Surgery
   * Testimonials
 * Harp Skills
   * The Blues Harp
     * Harp History
   * Which Keys Do I Need?
     * Buying A Harp
   * Let Us Play
   * Pucker or Block
   * Breath Control
   * Accuracy
   * Tone
   * Warm-ups and Workout
   * Draw Bends
   * Blow Bends
   * Glissando & Portamento
   * Trills, Trains and SOS
   * Hand Tremolo
   * Wah-wah
   * Tongue Effects
   * Octaving
   * Vibrato
   * Monkey Swings
   * How To Practise
 * Harp Theory
   * Beginners Learning Path
   * Key To Tabs
   * Modes
   * Pentatonic Scales
   * Why 3rd and 4th Positions Are Minor
 * Harp Trivia
   * Harp Myth Busters
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   * Harmonica Gags
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 * Schedule
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 * Contact
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Announcements 


HARMONICA LEARN TO PLAY DAY

December 16, 2023December 16, 2023 The Good Doctor 0 Comments blues harp,
harmonica lessons, learn harmonica, learning harmonica, play harmonica

Join our Beginners Workshop on Sat 3rd Feb 2024 in Hove in the expert company of
Ed Hopwood. Workshop 10.00am to 3.15pm. Tickets £55.00 at www.harpinbythea.com



Harp Tab How Do They Do That? 


INTRODUCTION TO SONNY BOY II HARMONICA TECHNIQUE

October 15, 2023October 26, 2023 The Good Doctor 37 Comments blues harp, learn
harmonica, play harmonica, Sonny Boy Williamson II

Don’t start me talking, I’ll tell you everything I know

Elwood reminded folks at the Harp Surgery it’s the anniversary of Sonny Boy II’s
birthday this week. How about we tab out one of his monster tracks? he
suggested. The Doc stroked his goatee and lifted his bowler down from the coat
stand. No need to tab one number, young Elwood, we’ll do them ALL he replied.
But how is that possible? quizzed Elwood.

The Doc raised a sagely eyebrow. Once you’ve mastered his trademark cross-harp
licks and timing, my boy, you can tackle much of his material. Then it’s a case
of studying the first position harp work, timing and tone. But always remember
you will never sound exactly like the master, nor should you . Elwood started
warming his favourite blues burger. So where do we begin? he asked. From the
turn around, answered the Doc, it’s his signature lick. It goes like this…

Audio Player

https://www.harpsurgery.com/media/SB2-4.mp3

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Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.


(more…)



Harp Tips 


WHICH KEYS DO I NEED?

August 15, 2023August 15, 2023 The Good Doctor 0 Comments blues harp, Blues harp
keys, Harmonica keys, Harp keys, learn harmonica, play harmonica, What keys do I
need?, Which harmonica key?, Which key is best?

The keys to success
Different players and tutors will give different answers depending on their
experience and personal preference. The choice is subjective and may also be
steered by budget. From a practical perspective however, there are keys that are
used a lot and others that tend to gather dust. Here’s our take.

A complete set of regular tuned harps will have twelve keys : A  Bb  B  C  Db 
D  Eb  E   F   F# G  Ab

Most players start with a C harmonica. This is mid-range tonally and most
tutorial information is published in this key. Next up are  A  D  G  F  and Bb.
These keys are used most often on the band stand, when jamming and when learning
from recordings by the greats.

We then recommend a Low F. A regular F is very high tonally. A Low F lends
itself to blow bending in holes 8-10. It’s also good for familiarising with the
feel of Low tunings. Then we’d recommend Eb and Ab, and finally B, Db, E and F#.
From experience, these last four are used least frequently.

You might also like to supplement your spread with a High G. Tonally a normal G
is the lowest of the regular tunings. There may be the odd occasion when you
want to work in a higher pocket. Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini is an
example.

How low can you go?
From here, and if you’re willing to splash out, you can add your choice of Low
tunings. These are an octave below regular tuned harps. They are not only ideal
for creating a darker mood, but also for occupying a lower pocket when
accompanying, for example, slide guitar. Listen to recordings by Son of Dave for
an idea of how great these sound, and also Mr Lucky by Gary Primich.

Announcements 


TUESDAY EVENING ONLINE WORKSHOP

August 1, 2023August 9, 2023 The Good Doctor 1 Comment harmonica lessons,
Harmonica tuition, Harp Surgery workshop, learn harmonica, Meet harmonica
players, Online harmonica workshop, play harmonica, Weekly harmonica workshop

Schedule : We meet every Tuesday evening
Time : 7.00pm-8.30pm (UK)
Platform : Zoom
Fee : £10.00 GBP payable in advance
Sign up : paypal.me/harpsurgery

What do workshops include?
Styles from Blues, Americana, Folk, Celtic, Latin, Pop, Rock, and World Music.
Breathing and musical warm up exercises. How to identify the key of a ‘mystery’
song. Work on chosen study pieces. Focus on specific harmonica skills and
techniques. Jamming. Q&A, advice and information exchange. We use a combination
of harmonica tabs and standard notation, but you won’t need to read music in
order to join in. All ability levels are welcome.

How to sign up
Harp Surgery sessions are pay-as-you-go. To confirm your attendance and receive
our unique weekly password please transfer £10.00 in advance by PayPal. Simply
type paypal.me/harpsurgery into your web browser and follow the instructions.
Please ensure you include the Workshop Date and Your Name in the ‘What’s this
payment for?’ window. (more…)

Announcements 


IN MEMORIUM – MARK HUGHES OF SPLIT RIVVIT

June 9, 2023June 10, 2023 The Good Doctor 0 Comments
Mark Hughes (right)

Dear Harp Surgery, I’m Mark Hughes’ sister Isobel. It’s been over 20 years since
he died, and there is still rarely a day that passes without me thinking of him.
Today would have been his 65th birthday. It’s heartwarming to read about Mark
and the rest of the the band, bringing back the happier memories.

My siblings and I have only a couple of photos of Split Rivitt, so I was excited
to read that Charlie has lots (hi Charlie!) – it would be wonderful to have some
copies. I hope all is well with you, Dave W, Chris and Dave L. It would be
lovely to hear from you. Isobel x

Thanks for your message Isobel – here’s some footage from the BBC’s Nationwide
programme back in the day, featuring Mark in the studio with Johnny Mars, Mark
Feltham and Skid Stuart. Sending you love and best wishes from everyone at the
Harp Surgery.

If anyone has any memorabilia we can add to our Split Rivitt archive, please
message us through our contact page. Harp Surgery visitors can enjoy the Split
Rivitt archive here.



Announcements 


RICHARD TEACHING HARMONICA LIVE ON THE RADIO

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 The Good Doctor 0 Comments

Early on Friday morning at this year’s Harpin’ By The Sea harmonica festival,
Richard Taylor, launched proceedings in the company of BBC Radio Sussex reporter
Hanna Neter.

Hanna was challenged by Breakfast Show host Alison Fearns to learn and perform
her first ever harmonica tune live on air. Richard and Hanna duly got to work
and within half an hour Hanna was playing When The Saints Go Marching In! You
can hear what everyone got up to right here…

Audio Player

https://www.harpsurgery.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BBC-Radio-Sussex-Fri-3.Feb-2023.mp3

00:00
00:00
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Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.


If you’d like to learn the harmonica for yourself, or improve your existing
skills, contact Richard Taylor now. Details of lessons are right here.



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HARP INFO

 * Announcements
 * Apprenticeship Series
 * Beef Up Your Bends
 * Guitar Licks For Harmonica
 * Harp Mics
 * Harp Podcasts
 * Harp Tab
 * Harp Tips
 * How Do They Do That?
 * Internet Blues Radio
 * Interviews
 * Little Walter Diary
 * Reviews – Books
 * Reviews – CDs
 * Reviews – Harps
 * Reviews – Shows
 * Split Rivitt Archive


WISDOM (WITH HUMOR!)..

I’ve been a fan of Harp Surgery for many years now. I especially enjoy the
manner in which you impart wisdom (with humor!) on how the harmonica can be
employed to great musical effect in a variety of genres.

Aki Kumar



SUPER SMART..

Hey I love your website and you are a super smart writer, a great thinker and
thorough contributor to our wonderful harmonica community. Thank you for all you
do for everyone. You rock!

Jason Ricci



GREAT JOB!

Harp Surgery is one of the best harmonica sites on the internet: consistently
both informative and entertaining. I visit it regularly. Great job!

Jerry Portnoy



ONE OF THE BEST..

Simply one of the best jobs I’ve ever seen on the internet about the harmonica:
very clear and at the same time I can feel your dedication to this instrument.

Christelle Berthon



THE BEST..

I love your site, it’s the best of them all.
Mark Feltham



GOOD SITE..

I enjoyed the style of the reviews and was delighted to see a bevy of my
favorite young harp players presented in The Kids Are Alright.

Steve Baker





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 * ADRIAN BARBIERI on Brighton Harmonica Friendly Jams
 * The Good Doctor on Tuesday Evening Online Workshop
 * Lynn Jackson on Tuesday Evening Online Workshop


WE LIKE..




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