Customer Reviews

The Harp Styles Of Bob Dylan (Harmonica)

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This book is the only one I have found that gives accurate description of Dylan's harmonica music for those that would like to play it the way he did. For each song, there is a story about the song and how Dylan's choices on harmonica relate to the song. The background material is relevant and interesting. Tips on the different techniques Dylan used in each song are there as well. The author conveys knowledge and generates enthusiasm for the music she presents.

This book is much more than just harp tabs. Appleby give the key of the song (I think they are correct, which is not true for many books out there), and also the key of the harmonica Dylan used. Blows and draws, slurs, slides, bends, trills, throat popping, and wah-wah are indicated. Guitar chords schematics are on each page of music. I only wish the book had more than 12 songs. I would definitely by another if the author creates a similar book with more songs.

From the harp point of view, this book is just a collection of honest transcriptions. If you want to play exactly like Bob Dylan, go ahead, buy this book.

But talking about the "harp styles", it seems that there is no style at all. It says nothing about how to use the harp support, or about any technique, embouchure, etc.

There is ONE single page talking about how Bob start playing rough and amateurish and, that after 5 months, he was a "competent" harp player (I don't agree). Then, the music sheets.

So, what are the "styles" the books claims to talk about? Almost no bends, lots of chords, lots of go-forth-and-back-notes. No harp teacher I know will teach his students to play like that. They will insist for months until their students learn to breathe and how to play single notes, with nice tone and vibrato.

This book may be nice for Dylan's fans, but certainly is not suitable for real harp players.