I will be using this blog to document the process I use to master playing the chromatic harmonica. The goal is to provide a resource to...

Posted 12/21/20 I recommend you begin your study of the Chromatic harmonica as I did with exposure to some of the best talent in the...

I began building my resources with a few print items. Searching the web or Amazon results in a lot of results. I'll share the three I...

An important step in keeping me making progress is a formal course of study. Youtube is full of instructional materials but it is often...

I am aware this is very much a matter of individual taste and budget. I am not about to recommend a specific harp for others, but wanted...

Chromatic harmonicas vary in price from $50 to $,3000 + ! As a beginner I can hardly justify an expensive instrument, especially...

I have played diatonic harmonica since high school, beginning after hearing a Charlie McCoy recording of Shenandoah. I purchased my first...

Playing by Ear, Initial Steps My initial plan of study is as follows: Use the Ross Walters Curriculum (Improvising Chromatic Harmonica...

In my course with Ross, he recommended that I begin with understanding the note layout on a 12 hole Chromatic Harmonica, specifically...

Most of us have seen at one time or other, that one way to initially learn how to identify the notes on a staff are to separate the ...

As I mentioned, one of my goals is to be able to see a note on the staff and play it on your harp. Initially, you can just do that using...

I created a visual "cheat sheet" to keep out when I am practicing. This provides a reminder of the hole "assignment" on a 12 hole...

My eventual goal, is to be able to play up and down the Chromatic in numerous scales using the most efficient hole selections. But it...

Remember my plan is to initially master several major scales and then to be able to play several simple melodies in each key. After I...

Obviously, just the ability to play scales is not the end game. My next step is to be able to play some simple songs by ear in both C...

Before moving to another scale, I decided to play something more fun that Row Row Row your boat. While playing around with the F Scale,...

Well, this is far from show ready but wanted to share with you my efforts at playing this great Gospel song on a Chromatic in the Key of...

Next in my chromatic learning is the Key of G. As shown in the image below, this major scale keeps the same major scale interval...

I am continuing to "master' at least one addition Gospel melody as I approach new keys on the Chromatic. Come Thou Fount offers a...

Next in scale mastery on the Chromatic will be the D Major Scale. Expect a bit of difficulty in that it is the first scale with two...