General Information on Classes
San Jose, CA - 6/13-15/08
Trossingen Germany -
10/29-11/2/08
(You will be redirected to the Hohner website for info)
Information
Class Schedule
Testimonials
Word from the Founder
Past
Guest Artists, Workshops, Pictures, and Articles
Register Now!
2008 Workshop Sponsor
The Best Li'l Harp House
2006
Participant
Testimonials...
“I came hoping to take a
shoebox of knowledge but left with enough material to fill the Grand
Canyon. All the instructors were awesome and very encouraging to all
levels of student.“ Curt Vincent, New Jersey 2006
“These guys are quite simply the best harp teachers in the world. Very
cool, friendly folks. The program makes the mysteries of the classic blues
harp transparent. Teaching requires different skills than performing and
these guys are incredibly talented at both." Ted Bedard, New Jersey 2006
“As a player between beginner and intermediate, I felt very comfortable.
Concepts and techniques are introduced gradually and reinforced throughout
a lesson. All instructors are patient and articulate. I learned a lot
more than I expected to learn and enjoyed myself more than I can
describe. All around an excellent musical experience.“ Mike Vallely, New
Jersey 2006
“There is no other place in the world, short of private lessons, that I
could go to learn so much from so many gifted professionals. Much time
for me this coming year in the woodshed. “ Ken Klaus, New Jersey 2006
“The teachers made it seem as if I were the only student. In the
workshop, I received the help I needed to step to the next level. “ Gary
T. Beyerlein, New Jersey 2006
“This is my third Masterclass and it just keeps getting better! It’s the
only place I can go where I know that I will be pushed to the next level
of playing. A must for the professional harp player! “ Tom Brumley, New
Jersey 2006
“This was a lot more fun and work than I expected. I realized now that
there is more structure involved than I imagined. Thank you all and
expect to see me again sometime soon. Thanks again.“ Chuck Wagner, New
Jersey 2006
“This workshop gave me a vision of where I could grow as a player. I
think in a totally different way about playing and listening.” Rick
Baumgartner, New Jersey 2006
“For someone who plays songs and may be in a small group and happy, go to
a Masterclass workshop and have your eyes opened and your horizons
broadened. It was like hearing about the universe after looking at the
moon and a few stars all your life.“ Jack Lupas, New Jersey 2006
“David is not just an expert on his subject matter. He is one of the best
communicators period. His verbal and non-verbal [communication] are as
systematic and clear as his playing. You will never feel intimidated
during his instruction." Bill Sanderson, New Jersey 2006
“Joe Filisko and David
Barrett’s knowledge and enthusiasm for playing and teaching harmonica are
without equal.“ Geoff Baillie, New Jersey 2006
“On a scale on 1 to 10, the History of The Blues Harmonica [concert] was a
12. I have never heard a harp played so well. While Dave gave homage to
the Masters, he, Joe, Dennis and Kinya are undoubtedly masters in their
own right.“ Lou Rotondo, New Jersey 2006
“This is my fourth time attending. Each time I learn more and get
motivated to study. David Barrett has assembled a great team of
instructors. I look forward to continuing my harmonica instruction with
such a great group.“
Mike Battistella, New Jersey 2006 |
|
The 2008
San Jose Harmonica Workshop is making an exciting journey into the study
of the great masters of blues harmonica! For this unique workshop you’ll
learn about the recorded history of each artist, their technique,
phrasing, licks, transcribed solos and their approach to the instrument
and their music.
MORNING
PROGRAMS
Participants meet as a group and hear a recorded history of each of the
artists for that day’s study. After the morning session you head out to
your day classes.
DAY
PROGRAMS
FRIDAY 6/13 you’ll have the opportunity to study two of these artists:
Big Walter, Sonny Boy II (Rice Miller), George “Harmonica” Smith
(Diatonic) or Junior Wells. Each class is three hours in length.
SATURDAY 6/14 is Little Walter day... everything you’ve ever wanted
to know about Little Walter will be covered.
SUNDAY 6/15 you’ll have the opportunity to study two of these
artists: James Cotton, Sonny Boy I (John Lee Williamson), George
“Harmonica” Smith (Chromatic) or Paul Butterfield. Each class is three
hours in length.
EVENING PROGRAMS
Jam Session
Jam with a professional
blues band and enjoy the music of fellow students. Jam is kept loose with
a focus on having a good time!
Help Room
Hang out with Harmonica Masterclass instructors Friday evening and ask
questions about whatever is on your mind.
Panel Discussion
Saturday
evening we’ll hold a panel discussion and performance with our staff
instructors and guest artists (guest artists to be announced). We’ll share
insights about the artists you’re studying and play some music together
with the band to demonstrate our points. This will be a very fun and
insightful evening of talking and playing from the best instructors and
performers in the world.
CLASS CONSTRUCTION
Instruction time in each class is three hours. This amount of time allows
us to go into great detail on each subject and have playing time
for the students to try the presented material. We try to keep a 40%
instruction and 60% student play time ratio to allow for teacher/student
interaction.
Each class
will include a detailed handout. Instructors will walk you through
the material and add insight to the various topics in the class. In most
classes the instructor will explain a technique or concept and will then
direct the class in group playing. Sometimes the instructor will have each
person try the new technique or concept one-by-one, if it is particularly
important. We do our best to offer as much playing time as possible, but
we also recognize that too much individual playing limits the progress of
a class. The Friday evening Help Room is available for students to ask
questions of the teachers in a more relaxed setting.
SKILL LEVEL
REQUIREMENTS
These classes are for intermediate to advanced skill level
players. All
students should have certain basic skills to attend these classes. Unless you’re a rank
beginner, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to attend these
classes with a little work. The most important area for you is to have
good control over your bending and have a feel for the 12 Bar Blues
Progression. Having some skill in Tongue Blocking is highly recommended,
though not required for the classes. If you have any questions about your skills, please email us
with any questions
(info@harmonicamasterclass.com).
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR INDIVIDUAL
CLASSES
After registration you will be sent a confirmation packet via PDF. In this
packet you will have a sheet to select which classes you will like to
attend. You will mail or fax the class selection sheet
back to us to reserve your class selections.
LOCATION
San Jose Hilton
& Towers
Reservations Phone: (408) 287-2100
Reservations Fax: (408) 947-4489
300 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110
San
Jose Hilton Website
Room
Rates
$95.00 - All rooms
are booked directly with San Jose Hilton &
Towers. Please state that you are with the Harmonica
Masterclass Workshop group to get this discount rate. These rates are
very good for this area. These room rates typically sell out and are not
guaranteed to be available; please call the hotel as soon
as you can to reserve your room at this rate if available. It is highly
recommended (even if you live locally) to stay at the hotel. We're going
to work you hard each day! Students that have commuted in the past for
each day's classes usually state that they wished they would have stayed
at the hotel.
Registration
- Register Now Before Classes Fill!
Cost for this workshop weekend is $399.00 if you register before 12/31/07
(after this date class cost goes up to $429).
Click here to register for this class or
register by mail by sending check payment (payable to Harmonica
Masterclass) to PO Box 1723,
Morgan Hill, CA 95038. You can also contact us via phone at 877-HarpClass (877-427-7252 or
408-224-2937). Most classes sell out, so don't delay in registering.
Register Now!
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David Barrett
Joe Filisko
Dennis Gruenling
Kinya Pollard
Guest Artists
Gary Smith
Mark Hummel
Sonny Jr.
More to come!
Director
Dennis Carelli
Participant
Testimonials
&
Pictures
New Jersey -
2006
Texas
- 2005
California
- 2005
Washington - 2005
Chicago
2004
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California 2003
New York 2003
Texas 2002
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Hawaii 2002
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