Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, we're digging out an old Howard Levy harmonica lesson that's sure to get you in the Irish spirt. It's the classic Irish anthem "Danny Boy", broken down on harmonica for all you harp heads out there. This is a "very simple version" according to Howard, so don't be intimidated if you're new to learning harmonica. Howard also introduces some more advanced techniques in this lesson, just to give you a taste of how far you can take this deceptively simple instrument. 

This is a Bluesy, Intermediate level tune in 5/8 time from Macedonia. It's a dance rhythm in Eastern Europe, as natural to them as 4/4 is to us. Check out the lesson here. The tune is fun to play, even if you just figure out the rhythmic vamping, or play one section of it.

I've spoken with many people who want to learn to play an instrument.  Naturally, my advice is to learn how to play harmonica, the friendliest of all instruments. You can put this little baby in your pocket, take it out whenever the urge hits you and bang- instant music. Even if you barely know how to play, the humble harmonica is very obliging- put your mouth anywhere and blow, and a major chord comes out. Do the same thing on the inhale, and a seventh chord, a ninth chord, or a minor chord will come out. It’s the only wind instrument that can play chords- not to mention rhythms, and of course, single notes. Or combinations of chords, rhythms and single notes, and even counterpoint! There is so much music hiding inside this little instrument! As you learn harmonica, it will delight you, impress your friends, fill you with a sense of wonder, even joy, at the hidden treasures that you gradually unlock as you play more and more. 

Aside from teaching students how to play harmonica online at ArtistWorks, Howard Levy is most in his element when he's on stage. He recently played two shows at the Green Mill Jazz Club in Chicago with his group Acoustic Express. Howard Reich, Arts critic for the Chicago Tribune, was in an attendance on Friday and wrote a fanstaic review of the show.