Country & Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless: Revised Book and 73-Minute CD Paperback – July 1, 2011

Simple directions to play harmonice

Jon has a great deal of knowledge and expertise he shares in the book and CD.

The author's online tutorials are a master class in how to be a fun, memorable and effective teacher.

I'm a Highland bagpiper, but I've been wanting to learn to play the harmonica for years. I've bought lots of tutor books, but none of them brought me to a place where I truly "got" it. Until this book/CD came along. I've listened to the entire 73-minute CD and immediately picked up tips that helped me learn this diminuitive instrument! The most important message that Jon conveys throughout this book is that YOU are the instrument! The music and rhythm come from YOU, and the harmonica only gives it voice. That concept alone sets this book apart from the tutorials out there, and I think it's the key that will finally allow me to "get" it! Like I said in my title, this is an EXCELLENT choice for beginners!

Very well written nand organized book. The included CD will have you playing great blues riffs in short order. Learn how it’s done without slogging through pages of music theory.

This book is a good way to start if you know absolutely nothing about cross harp playing, will develop you some riffs and start from the very basics to some mid-intermediate skills such as bending.Jon Gindick is a good teacher, but I found this book too short and really basic.It goes directly to blues-style cross harp playing with a little intro in First position (which you actually need to start there to have a better base)Stuff as Tongue blocking, or rhythmical patterns are almost not touched at all (really briefly)There is no "Country Harp" at all, just a 5 notes riff in a page that is just tabbed out, but that riff ain't on the CD so since there is no musical notation or recording for it you won't know how to play it "Countryfied"It is a good book but I recommend you more Harmonica For Dummies by Winslow Yerxa since it touches several positions, scales, and playing styles and different techniques in a more than 300 pages book.Focused on Major Scale songs, blues, country, folk and even fiddle tunes and stuffThe good part, the explanation for some techniques as bending or vibrato are really good, Jon Gindick as an awesome approach to make you feel musical and to help making a muscle memory and can be such an inspiring person

I bought this book as a gift for my friend, who HAS described himself as "musically hopeless" in a regrettable way. So I thought a combination of a new harmonica, THIS book, and my faith in him might spur him on to great musical things! If anything, he'll just get a kick out of it... but looking through the book, I dunno... it might just be the ticket! It's fun to read and simple to understand. It comes with an accompanying CD which I haven't listened to, but I think it's a vital part of this learning process. So, though I haven't given the gift yet, I'M pleased with the product thus far... and perhaps I'll update you all on my friend's progress down the road. ;)

I could only give this book four stars because I have only skimmed it so far. It seems to cover everything I need to get started playing the blues on the harp. Easy to understand and yet informative. I don't think I'll be disappointed, and hope you'll agree.