The harmonica is an easy instrument for beginners to play, as many of the physical techniques used in playing are those that you already practice every day, when breathing and talking. It is a difficult instrument to master, because so many of the more subtle and advanced techniques take place out of sight, inside the mouth. To reflect this" easy/difficult" division, the Progressive Harmonica Method is divided into two sections.
Section One will provide you, the beginning harmonica student, with a good technical and theoretical base from which to continue playing. Lessons One through Twelve will allow you to play simple tunes and exercises with an absolute minimum of technique. These early lessons will focus on solo playing skills.
Section Two, including Lessons Thirteen through Twenty Two, will begin to require your ability to obtain single notes, and to maintain a steady rhythm. Folk and classical styles will be emphasized, and a taste of blues and rock will be included, although blues or rock enthusiasts will want to follow their use of this method book with a study of Progressive Blues Harmonica, which is entirely devoted to those types of music. A Supplementary Songbook is also available to be used while working with this method book (see page 78).
For those with no musical background, whenever a musical term or concept is introduced, it will be explained. Standard musical notation is not used throughout most of this book. The ten hole harmonica is not well adapted to playing from standard notation, and little harmonica music is available in the form of standard notation. However, for those who wish to be able to play from standard notation, an explanation is provided in the Appendix.
It is recommended that beginners practice in short (15-30 minute) sessions, at least once or twice a day. As soon as the material in Section One begins to seem familiar (1-4 hours of practice for the "average" student), it is time to progress to Section Two. Remember: It is important to play both satisfying easy material and to practice unmastered techniques in each daily session.
