Mel Bay Christmas Songs for Harmonica -Book/CD set [Paperback]

Phil Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996

A collection of Christmas and Hanukkah songs arranged for chromatic, diatonic, and cross harp. A unique, must have book for the harmonica enthusiast. The CD is a stereo recording of Chromatic and diatonic harmonica solos that includes over 53 minutes of tunes from the book arranged singly and in medleys. The CD does not include every song in the book. An excellent listening album. 37 songs are in the book. 24 songs are on the CD.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Phil Duncan earned his Masters of Music Education degree in 1973 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. His thesis focused on the study of methods for teaching the beginning student of any musical instrument. He has taught piano, guitar, and harmonica since the age of 16, having been introduced to the harmonica by his grandfather at age 7. With a versatile educator's experience ranging from elementary school through university levels, Phil served for many years as the vocal and general music teacher at Lakeview Middle School in Kansas City, Missouri. He is currently teaching at Park University in the Music Department. He instructs choir and voice as well as a class in Kansas City Jazz Style and classes on Music Education for Elementary Teachers. As a clinician, Phil has conducted workshops at several harmonica conventions and at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Arkansas, the Texas Music Educator's Conference, and has presented many other clinics throughout the Midwest. He is also active in community education, and has advised teachers in techniques to better instruct their students in the art of playing the harmonica. Phil's career as an author for Mel Bay Publications began in 1979 with the publication of The Deluxe Harmonica Method. This work was the result of ten years of research and two years of diligent writing. Since this auspicious beginning, Phil has published over 20 books and videos with Mel Bay Publications on virtually every aspect of playing the harmonica, making a significant contribution to the repertoire for this instrument. He also has 8 published instructional videos and is a recording artist with 15 albums to his credit. He also performs on guitar and keyboard. Mel Bay has published his Learn to Play Rock/Blues Electronic Keyboard. Missouri Middle Schools's Journal published his article on teaching harmonica playing in the middle school. The Missouri Conservation Commission published several of his harmonica arrangements in its Songbook in 1982. He also is a contributor for the Society for the Preservation and Advancement's Harmonica Happenings news magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786626380
• ISBN-13: 978-0786626380
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,391,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Christmas Title deter you....., April 7, 2000

By 

Will H. "Will H." (Overland Park, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay Christmas Songs for Harmonica -Book/CD set (Paperback)

This is a very good book with great transcriptions and harmonica arrangements of Christmas songs. Don't be put off by the thought that Christmas tunes sound hokey when played on a harmonica. For example...Silver Bells...(played in a minor key in this book) has a haunting, beautiful sound when played on the harmonica. Most songs in this book are well within the grasp of a beginner who can play clear single notes on the harmonica with some regularity. Best of all.....these are songs everyone knows (or has on a CD somewhere). That means you already know how the song should sound which helps greatly in polishing these song up to the point you can play them with an audience.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Different versions?, December 16, 2008

By 

Jeff (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Christmas Songs for Harmonica -Book/CD set (Paperback)

Three stars. The version of the book I received is different than the one pictured. One of the reasons I ordered this book was because a previous reviewer commented about a stirring rendition of Silver Bells, which wasn't included in the book I received. Also, the included CD is not useful for learning the songs. Its a nice CD for listening to harmonica Christmas songs, but it basically useless as a learning tool (fyi, I'm a beginning harmonica player).

I still gave it three stars because the songs are fun and simple to learn. Even more advanced players can get a lot out of the cross harp versions.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you!, April 18, 2009

By 

Della M. Furnas (Minneapolis. MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Christmas Songs for Harmonica -Book/CD set (Paperback)

As always, I am pleased with the purchase and the speedy delivery. Thank you!