Diatonic Blues Harmonica

Kyle Keilman will get you started on playing harmonica. If you already hit single holes and can bend notes, consider taking Kyle’s Intermediate Harmonica Workshop on Thursday October 16.

In Kyle’s Diatonic Blues Harmonica Workshop we will cover the following:

• Why Play Harmonica?
• A brief history of the harmonica and some notable past players
• Tonic notes (what key you are playing in)
• Harmonica key differences
• Playing rhythms
• Understanding folk harmonica and “blues harp” differences (positions)
• Easy beginner songs
• Hitting single notes, and exercises to improve
• Bending notes
• Slurs, trills and warbles
• Riffs
• Throat and hand vibrato
• Licks and how to combine them into solos
• Playing with a harmonica rack
• Showmanship
• Backing your fellow musicians on harmonica, a brief guide

Recording any or all of the workshop on your phone is encouraged. At important points, recording any specific exercise will be helpful for later practicing.

Most important is having fun while you learn, and while playing with other musicians. See you at Artichoke!

Kyle Keilman has been teaching harmonica for over 50 years. He joined the Artichoke Teachers faculty in 2024 and has also performed onstage solo and with others at The Artichoke listening room venue.

Host or Publisher Artichoke Community Music