Lesson
Pró-Música diatonic and chromatic harmonicas course:
Since 1994,
Pró-Música diatonic and chromatic harmonicas course has
as objective to form players able to execute melodies in
any musical styles, from most erudite to most popular, beyond stimulating
the improvisation abilities.
The
course of Blues harmonica is divided in three modules: the first one
aims at the domain of all possible notes to be executed in the instrument.
Beyond twenty natural notes of the harp, we can execute, through the
techniques of “bending” and “overbending”, more
18 notes, transforming the diatonic harmonica into a chromatic one. Techniques
of mouth, effects as the Trill, the Vamping and Tongue Blockings also
are part of this first part of the course. The second module deals with
the improvisation over Blues, Country and Jazz music, through the study
of national and international musical themes. The last, but not least
module is dedicated to the maintenance of the instrument, the possible
re-tunings and their use. All the modules bring applied theory to the
harmonica, many exercises and known musical themes.
The pupils count
on the aid of a computer equipped with Internet and musical programs,
such as “Bendometer”, “Harping Midi”, “Encore”, “Band
in a Box” and others, providing a virtual accompaniment by a band
or orchestra. Harmonic instruments as the acoustic guitar and the piano
are also used. We also use national and imported methods of diverse authors,
dvds, cds and a great number of tabs and scores of jazz, bossa nova,
blues, rock and roll, country and others.
Some
events also occur periodically, as annual presentations, a series of
performances during the Antique and Brazilian Music International Festival,
produced by Centro Cultural Pró-Música and the recording
of a cd, produced by the pupils theirselves and recorded in professional
studios.
With the experience of
12 years and more than 170 pupils, the Pró-Música diatonic
and chromatic harmonicas course is the best option for people from Juiz
de Fora and surroundings, being the most complete and brought up to date.
Don’t lose time! Let’s “harmonize” life!
Workshops:
We elaborated some “workshops” for those interested in learning or extending their knowledge on harmonica. In order to adjust the content of the lessons to the level of participants, workshops had been separated as:
- Level 1: Basic
KnowLedge – iindicated for beginners and
enthusiasts, have as contents from the history of harmonica
to simple effects as the Tongue Blocking and the vibrato,
passing through techniques of holding and embouchure,
beyond the playing of simple melodies.
- Level 2: The
Blues and its characteristics - indicated for musicians
who already have certain experience in the instrument
and want to improve their technique. The contents of
this lesson bring the Bending (find hidden notes), scales,
and improvisation in various keys with the same diatonic
harp, blues and jazz themes, among others.
- Level 3: Overblow
and Overdraw - indicated for experienced musicians, that
dominate techniques as Bend, and have interest in turn its diatonic
harmonica into a chromatic one (yes, it is possible). Contents of this
lesson: the adjustment of the instrument, how to do the effect, musical
themes with the use of “over-notes”.
- Level 4: Improvisation - indicated for experienced harp players, who want to begin or improve the knowledge over improvisation. Contents: Improvisation over blues, country and rock; kinds of improvisation; chromatic scale in the Blues harmonica.
