Customer Reviews

Mel Bay presents Basic Blues Harmonica Method: Level 1, Complete Blues Harmonica Lesson Series

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can understand why another reviewer would be miffed that another book with another CD needs to be bought to complete this DVD seris; granted, it should have been lumped together as a package but then again, how many people want to shell out $50 for their first blues harp lesson? Not too many! As unfortunate as that marketing snafu is/was, it should not detract from the quality dvd that this presents for the beginning blues harp player. I've suffered through at least three (3) CD Beginner Lessons by three different authors (including some notable names) and they couldn't teach me in two weeks of listening that this dvd didn't teach me in one hour of playing! Nothing compares to having someone SHOW you how it's done - it's almost like having your own private instructor next to you demonstrating what to do and what not to do. I started out by pursing my lips - yup, that's what LISTENING to CD instructions does - you can't really tell what they're trying to teach. But within minutes of watching this dvd, I learned how to play the harp the right way. The rest will be up to me and practice. This DVD also got me buying the several other Mel Bay DVDs that go into more detail. I also went and bought that pesky book and cd set that should have been bundled with this dvd in the first place (okay, deduct style points for that one). The bottom line is that I would recommend this DVD over any other audio CD to anyone seriously contemplating getting started by playing it the right way and not having to unlearn a bunch of things you imagine should be done with any audio instructions. Buy this product and similar Mel Bay DVDs - skip the CDs if you want to save a few bucks until you're sure you are serious about practicing.

The Basic Blues Harp instructional material on this dvd is very good and David Barrett is an excellent teacher but the image quality of the dvd is not at all as good as the other dvds of David's more advanced Harmonica Instruction: Mel Bay Building Harmonica Technique DVD Vol. 1 & 2 and Mel Bay Building Harmonica Technique DVD Vol. 3 & 4. I think this dvd lost a lot of image quality when it was transferred for the original source tape.
You'll be pleasantly surprised when you've learned this material and move on to the Building Harmonica Technique DVDs 1 & 2 and 3 & 4. The screen image quality on those two dvds is sharp and clear - as image quality should be with the dvd format.

Bought this for my nephew for Christmas. Have not looked at the dvd, but right on the cover it states that it is to accompany a book/cd set with the same name. That book/cd set is currently not in stock at amazon.com. If it states that it is to accompany a book/cd, I wish that would be stated in the product details! Frustrating! I will ask my nephew to write up a review if he decides to keep it without the accompanying book/cd.