Hello there :) I just read the article on 'Harmonica Therapy'. I don't know if you're a harmonicist yourself, but i was thinking of presenting the idea to my local hospital. I have been playing harmonica for a while, my primary instrument is the chrom, but I also play bass harmonica and I can play a diatonic to a reasonable level. Do you have any ideas about what kind of exercises are a good idea? How long should sessions be? I was thinking something along the lines of an hour with a group of about 6, with activities like slow symmetrical patterns building up to simple single note songs played from 'arrow and number' tablature. What do you think? I would appreciate any feedback and ideas you have. Drop me an email at: psycho_axe_muppet@hotmail.com

-Shane
 

Great!
As far as time goes, 45 minutes to an hour seems like a good stretch
and you don't want to tire anyone out. I think that simple songs are
the way to go, something they can learn and show other people.
I have found that the key in teaching these classes is make lots of
stuff to hand out. Lots of tab and stuff to read. I made copies of
practice tapes and gave them away.
The problem with teaching chromatic is that everyone needs a harp. You
can get a diatonic harmonic for $3-5 plus shipping that can be played
- like American ace. Not every harp will be 100% playable, but most
will work.
I taught blues and we did hoochie coochie man with just chords to
great interest, but straight harp could be any of the old favorites -
easily recognized songs. Too bad christmas is past because christmas
carols are easy to do and big winners.
Don't expect more than one or two people out of 10 to do single
notes. They won't play too much when you aren't there. If you can
think of "close enough" type songs that they can play to acompany you,
they will have a great time.

Keith

ps.

send pictures and I'll put them on the website.

kpg