Level 3 Step 5



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Harmonica is an awesome instrument for learning to play music by ear... You might even find it easier than you expected. Below I will invite you into a challenge: Try to figure out the song "TAPS" by ear.

First listen to me play it and then see if you can figure it out by yourself. TAPS is the bugle song that is customarily played at military funerals. Click below to listen to me playing “TAPS”

If you are unable to hear me play and you're not familiar with this song you will not be able to do this particular song. Of course you can pick any simple song and try to play it by ear. Children's songs are good for this exercises because of their simplicity.

I often find the trickiest thing about figuring out a song by ear is figuring out the first note. If you want to develop your ability to play by ear I recommend you pick a simple song that you know well and give it a go.

Now Your Turn To Try Playing "Taps" By Ear

I'll give you two hints:

1. It starts on 3

2. It is all blow notes.

I really would like this to be a confidence-building experience for you, so be patient and listen to the audio example several times if you like.

I am requesting that you really give this exercise a sincere and wholehearted attempt. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

The link below will show you how to play "Taps." My intention is that you use the link only to check yourself.

In addition to my Audio CD,

“Learning to Jam with Other Musicians: Getting Campfire Ready" -Level 3 and 4, Try the Audio CD's Set of 2

I highly recommend you check out, "Blues Harmonica: How to play Blues, Rock, Funk and Country Harmonica: Part 1 of a 3 Part Series"

The upcoming clip from this downloadable DVD will show you how you can use the “Lip-Blocked Single Note” to play blues with a guitar player. (In this particular clip I will not be using the coughing technique).

Buy my Lessons Here

"Blues Harmonica: How to play Blues, Rock, Funk and Country Harmonica: Part 1 of a 3 Part Series“
will support you to:

Develop the ability to play by ear in real life jamming situations
Confidently unitize techniques form Levels 1 to 5 and show you how to use them in a musically.

The Next Lesson: I'm excited that in the next lesson I will share with you how I recommend you hold the harp with two hands. I will also show you the first of five primary hand techniques. This is usually tricky for most students to get the knack of so please approach it joyfully and patiently.

BEGINNERS SPECIAL DISCOUNT BUNDLE OFFER!!!

My lessons will:

Show you the tricks to playing single notes with a sweet soulful tone.

Help you to learn songs faster...in ANY style...Blues, Country, Folk, Rock, Jazz, Bluegrass etc.

Teach you the secrets to bending, jamming at high speeds, and all the essential techniques necessary for you to enjoy the harmonica for life.

ACCELERATE your progress. Many students tell me that the lessons are a lot more fun and easy than working off this website. The lessons will show you over 50 simple ways to play the harmonica musically and sound great.