Lessons

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS

• July   :   23, 24, 29
• Aug    :   4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 31
• Sep     :   1 (…more dates to be added)

Payment in advance by Paypa, or on the day with prior agreement.

SKYPE LESSONS

Simply drop a message at bloozmeister on Skype and we will arrange a convenient time to get together on line. Payment is by Paypal in advance.

Lesson structure

If you are local to Brighton & Hove (UK), feel free to drop in for an individual lesson at the harp surgery. Sessions are lively, fun and customised to develop your needs. Some students come weekly; the majority turn out fortnightly as this gives them time to practice between family and work commitments. Others drop in once in a while for a refresher or to hone specific songs for their shows.

Your first session

Your first session will involve a few minutes of ‘diagnostic’ work. Sounds scary? We just need to see what you can already do – even if it’s not very much – and talk about what you want to achieve. We will then map out key areas for your musical development and pick tunes and exercises that will get you there. You will be given breathing and skill-building exercises to practice between lessons and some homework… so you will need time and space at home (or work) where you can prepare without interruption.

Progression

There are a number of basic skills and techniques to master before progressing to intermediate and advanced levels, such as individual note playing, tone building, scales, trills, octaves, bends and tonguing. But all the hard work is balanced with learning tunes for enjoyment. If you already have these skills under your belt, we can look at tongue blocking, positional playing, different styles (blues, jazz, country, cajun, celtic, latin) and building your performance portfolio with tougher pieces. We can also dip into blues technique on the Chromatic harmonica.

Special interest and group workshops

Lessons can of course incorporate any special interests you may have. Many students work on songs and styles they have been longing to emulate, or target a specific performance. In most cases we have recommended tutorial modules with CDs to work from. Alternatively we can customise the study material. Either way, your time at the Harp Surgery will be user-friendly and rewarding. If a 1:1 lesson sounds slightly daunting, Harp Surgery runs regular group workshops for beginner and intermediate harmonica players at the Sussex Academy of Music (SAM) and Brighton Music Box store. For details of the next event, check our Workshop link. Workshops are great for meeting other players and easing in to things before you commit to individual tutoring needs.

10 Lesson courses and remote teaching

If you can commit to ten sessions in advance, we will be happy to offer you a discounted rate and provide you with a Harp Surgery voucher for the course (rates below). If you don’t live locally, we can arrange a time for coaching over the phone or on line with the help of Skype. Remote lessons and courses are payable in advance.

Payment

Individual lessons can be paid for on the day in cash or by personal cheque payable to R. Steele-Taylor. Vouchers are payable in advance by cheque, bank transfer or Paypal and are valid for 6 months. Workshops are payable in advance direct to the establishment advertised (SAM/Music Box) where Credit Card payments are also accepted.

• Single 1:1 lessons: £30.00 per 1hr (ads)
• Single 1:1 lessons: £20.00 per ½ hr (jnrs)
• Skype lesson: £25.00 per hour
• Two students sharing: £20.00 per 1hr per student
• 10 lesson courses: £270.00 for 10 x 1hr (ads)
• 10 lesson courses: £180 for 10 x ½ hr (jnrs)
• Students/Unwaged/Seniors: 25% discount

Cancellation Policy

Occasionally harmonica lessons are treated casually, with no-shows and last minute cancellations. It is therefore reasonableto impose a cancellation policy. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance. Failure to do so, or a no-show, will incur the full lesson fee.

Accreditation

Richard Taylor is a member of, and local representative for, the National Harmonica League (NHL), HTAB accredited and CRB certified. In 1999 he was awarded the title UK National Harmonica Champion. He is harmonica teacher at the Sussex Academy of Music, running regular workshops for beginners and intermediate players. As a member of the Musicians Union, he also has third party insurance and legal representation. Richard has been playing and performing the diatonic harmonica since the 1970′s, organising workshops, charity events, blues jams and performances at many major live venues.

FAQ’s

Which is the diatonic harmonica?

It’s the short 10 hole harmonica. Sometimes referred to as the ‘blues harp’, it comes in a variety of brands including Hohner, Lee Oskar, Hering, Huang, Seydel Söhne, Bushman and Suzuki.

Do you teach Chromatic harmonica?

Apart from the third position blues style, no we don’t teach Chromatic (slide or push button) harmonica. But we can refer you to specialists who do.

Do I need to be able to read music?

Nope! As long as you have your ears, you’ll do fine.

What do I need to bring?

A diatonic harmonica in the key of C, a note book and pen, any tutorial manuals you may have been using, your ears and a sense of adventure. Oh and the lesson fee is always useful.

Do you provide refreshment?

In our 1:1 lessons we do offer water if you require (not yet at Music Box). It’s always best to bring your own non-alcoholic liquid refreshment.

Do you have toilet facilities?

Yes we do (all on site but for Brighton Music Box which is currently in the Pub next door).

Do you have parking facilities?

For lessons at SAM there is usually free parking available on site. At the Harp Surgery parking can be tight, depending on the time of day, so leave yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot before our lesson starts. For Brighton Music Box there is the option of meter parking, the New England Street multi-story or bus services to London Road.