2006 Workshop Sponsor
The Best Li'l Harp House
New Jersey Location Info
DoubleTree Hotel Newark
Airport
1000 Spring Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: 908-436-4600
Fax: 908-527-0238
2005 Participant Testimonials
for this Class Type
“Excellent instructors, excellent material… all geared towards making you
a better player. Follow their advice and practice and you’ll improve
tremendously.” Lance Hetzler
“Truly the most valuable learning experience EVER—best instruction
of all the methods I’ve tried (and I’ve worked with 5 or 6 other instructors
and programs)!” Don McRee
“I attended a seminar previously in 2003 and came back because the first
experience was so effective at launching my skill level forward. I
cannot imagine there is a more effective presentation and format than HMC.
These instructors and the material are in every way expertly prepared.”
Bill Keyes
“This was my fourth Masterclass. I have learned from every class,
met many very good harp players, gained inspiration and increased energy to
take home and work on techniques. I will return to another class session.”
Don Sharlow
“I attended the Harmonica Masterclass Austin 2005 and it has opened up an
entire new world to me. I have many tapes/CDs/books that I have
purchased – but this 3 day class surpasses all of them put together.
All the instructors were so very knowledgeable about the harmonica, you will
come away from this class armed with lots of new knowledge and you will be
inspired to go home and practice.” John McCurdy
“The three days of this class were so packed with learning there’s not ten
minutes I would have wanted to miss. The instructors create an
atmosphere which is challenging, motivating, supportive, encouraging, and
best of all, a lot of fun. They are as great at teaching as they are
at playing. And that’s saying a lot, considering how they blew us away
with the History of the Blues Harmonica Concert. My appreciation for
Dave Barrett’s work continues to grow.” Diane Smith
“I feel I got my money’s worth the first class, first day. All the
classes were fun and helpful. Instructors were uniformly
excellent—patient, encouraging, energizing. I hope I can attend more
workshops for the classes I missed this time.” Steve Hall
“This weekend was professionally handled. The instructors I had were
the best. I don’t know where I could have learned more. This
weekend has been more educational than I expected. I’m looking forward
to attending next year.” Conrad Pussman
“The History of the Blues Harmonica Concert was as educational as it was
entertaining. I appreciated very much following the development of the
blues from the early 1900’s to today’s blues.” Austin Texas 2005 Participant |
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October 6-8, 2006
Below are 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
“I loved the last time I attended I (also in New Jersey 2002), but this
one was even better. Better organized, better instructors and improved
interaction with the masters. Excellent balance between didactic and
playing time. Superb handouts (yours of course, but also Joe Filisko’s
with excellent transcriptions of 1st and 3rd positions). Solo experience
with Kinya Pollard and Dennis Gruenling was very helpful. Pre-War rocked.”
Michael Cohen, NJ 2006
“Besides learning
reams of new techniques and licks, I found the HMW gave me a directory or
road map for my future harmonica education. All this in an environment of
warmth and camaraderie that made it an altogether enjoyable weekend.” Sam
Reich, NJ 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
“I am very happy I could join this Masterclass. I enjoyed the classes and
the concert very much. What a great experience to learn from today’s
harmonica masters. The instructors were very helpful, kind and friendly.
It was worth it to fly from overseas to attend. I appreciated the help
and care from Dave [Barrett], Joe [Filisko], Kinya [Pollard] and Dennis
[Gruenling] during the weekend. Thanks a lot.“ Terence, New Jersey 2006
“A great way to learn about in-depth techniques in a short period of
time. Obviously the result of refining years of experience and study.
Invaluable. Would definitely consider attending again next year to catch
different topics. Teachers very accessible.“ New Jersey 2006
“This is my fourth time Masterclass workshop with these fabulous
instructors. Each time I walk away with a mountain of challenges as well
as a validation for my progress. Never boring. Always informative.“ Don
McRee, 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 Harmonica Masterclass Workshop weekend is a must for harp players who
are serious about learning how to be the best harmonica player that they
can be. The classes and the materials are thoughtfully constructed and
laid out. It is clear that great effort and large amounts of time and
thought have gone into the construction of the materials and the class
design. This is the most comprehensive program that I have found
available for the study of blues harmonica.
I can not say enough about the quality and the competency of the
instructing staff. The Harmonica Masterclass Workshop truly does pull
together a group of the best blues harmonica instructors available today.
Not only are they highly skilled players, but they are also masters of the
history of blues harp. Most importantly they are thoughtful, kind and
completely supportive to each and every student present at the workshop.
Each instructor clearly is very serious about finding the best possible
way to effectively convey the class information to the students in ways
that are most easily understood. In many cases this involves describing a
skill or technique in multiple ways to reach the greatest level of
understanding by the class.
I will give one word of warning to potential students, however. This is
not magic. What the folks at Harmonica Masterclass have done is to put a
lot of hard work and effort into creating a program that will make it
easier for students to learn about blues harmonica. This still requires
that the individual student put in their share of time and hard work to
become a better player. The beauty of the Harmonica Masterclass Workshop,
and the Harmonica Masterclass books and materials, however, is that the
learning is very focused on what one needs to do to become a better
player. If someone wants to learn all they have to do is apply themselves
and cover the materials laid out so well by the folks at Harmonica
Masterclass. They have my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.“
Tom Mayer, New Jersey 2006
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Classes and workbooks are written by master instructor David Barrett
(some by Joe Filisko).
Each instructor has personally worked with by David and is thoroughly
knowledgeable about the subjects they teach. As participant Keith Bell
states "it is now evident to myself having now completed level three classes
in 2003 that this is the highest level of blues harmonica education anywhere
in the world that your money can buy.”
David Barrett
Joe Filisko
Kinya Pollard
Dennis Gruenling
Director
Dennis Carelli
Participant
Testimonials
&
Pictures
Texas
- 2005
California
- 2005
Washington - 2005
Chicago
2004
California 2004
California 2003
New York 2003
Texas 2002
New York 2002
Hawaii 2002
More
Testimonials
2005 Participant Testimonials
for this Class Type
“The workshop was an amazing experience, with a wide range of topics and
plenty of practical examples. It was also an inspiration that will
send me to the woodshed with a smile on my face. David Barrett puts
his heart into every class, and it shows. I look forward to the next
workshop.” Del Thiessen, Ph. D.
“I would recommend the workshop to ALL levels of harmonica players
beyond novice. You gave me more material to put to use that I thought
possible!” Tom Stevens
“I had my money’s worth after the 1st day! Instructors were
knowledgeable, talented and used a variety of approaches to help others.”
Austin Texas 2005 Participant |
