The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica, 2nd Edition Paperback – October 3, 2006

The book is fine but where do I get the audio files that go with it? I bought it for my kindle.

When I made a decision to learn how to play the harmonica I took on line lessons and purchased numerous books on the subject. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Playing the Harmonica” second edition by William Melton and Randy Weinstein is no doubt the most comprehensive book of the many I purchased on playing the harmonica. Do not be discouraged by the title because these (Complete Idiot’s Guide series) books are not for idiots. In fact, this book goes much deeper into the subject matter than most of my books on the harmonica. The other thing that makes this an excellent manual is that it also includes a CD with more than 80 riffs and songs to guide you in playing the harmonica.This 247 page comprehensive guide is organized into four detailed parts. Part one, “the harmonica: It’s no toy” explains the many positive aspects of the harmonica and provides some other important basic information. The second part “Let’s get blowin” gets into the specifics of playing harp musical notes. The third part “steppin Up” explains how to read music, tongue blocking tricks, the art of bending notes on a harmonica and other details. The fourth part “It’s Showtime” gets into how to play the blues. This section also provides vital tips to follow if you are interested in playing the harmonica with a music group. There is also a complete glossary of harp terms and a CD at the end of the book.Since I only intend to play the harmonica for my own personal enjoyment and have no desire to join a band, this book had more information than what I actually needed. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the harmonica.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior’s poetic tribute).

Very good manual for neophytes or intermediate performer who wishes to learn some underlying techniques though he may already be handling the technique well. Very rudimentary. Good use of humor to get points across. Those playing and performing at this stage, should close the book and practice their own techniques for at least 45 minutes a day to keep their edge. Some points seem to be either regressive or in error and questionable, but this gives you a full understanding of how to make progress in basic learning, especially for persons who are not good at music sight-reading - this will give a good elementary education in that, however. Want to play from sheet music? This is your ticket! The manual is interesting and keeps one wanting to read more of the how-to-do-it. This is not a flimsy, ten-page pocket book. It is a thick text that covers a lot of detail.

Should have had something like this years ago. First, learned I had been holding my harmonica wrong for about 75 years and knew nothing about how to use my lips. It has made a difference for old dog learning new tricks.

I bought my 23-yr old grandson a Hohner Special Harmonica, Major C. He is a very self-motivated young man and loves to learn new things. I bought the Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica book so he could teach himself. He loves the harmonica and told me, "Grams, the book is really something. There is a lot more involved to playing the harmonica than you would think." Using the book, he has already taught himself how to play "Mary had a Little Lamb!" (HaHa) He credits the book because it was so helpful. He practices at least one thing from the book every day. I have no doubt that he will become proficient on the harmonica, due in large part to this book and, of course, his own motivation to learn new things.

The book is really verbose, starting out with page after page of detail that maybe should be in the appendix. Within those details, and not always highlighted, are the important bits you need to know, so skipping ahead isn't really possible either. Where they could and should motivate you by getting a little music going, they just drag on and on with background.Secondly, this book isn't for beginners at all. It continually makes references that aren't explained (until possibly later), or doesn't answer the question on your mind. As one example, of many: in the initial introduction to Tab, a distinction is made between "playing a single note" and "playing a chord," and some small tunes are displayed for us to play. Even if we assume for a second that you understand what a chord is - I do, but I'm not a complete beginner to music - nowhere in the preceding pages does it say anything about how to play a note versus how to play a chord. It's "obvious" once you know it, but that kind of thing is extremely frustrating when you're trying to learn.In short, an evening with this book has me more frustrated than encouraged. If you actually want to -play- the harmonica, I'm sure there are better options out there to get you started.Update: 100x more useful and enjoyable is anything by Adam Gussow, much of it free.

This was a gift for my boyfriend, who always wanted to learn how to play the Harmonica. I asked him for the review, his words:"Is a very useful, easy to learn guide, however I didn't like the fact that it brings a lot of history about the Harmonica, I would've taken that part out, to make it more concise. That's why I'm giving it 4 and 1/2 stars".But if you ask me, I think knowing the history of the instrument you are playing is a good thing.

This book is an excellent source to read if you are serious about learning your hamonica and be good at it. You can learn without ever learning music language or with, the choice is yours. The book can be read from being to end or you can dip in and out on different chapters in the order you like. If you are a beginner or moderate to experienced harmonica player this book fits what ever standard you are. I throughly recommend this book for all standards as a must have reference book.

Along with Harmonica for Dummies this is a great addition to the beginners book collection. Worth the money. Recommended, If I only had two books in my collection this and harmonica for dummies then my collection as a beginner would be full I wouldn't need any other beginners books.

Useful book, goes through the basics of getting started, if practiced will get the beginner well on the way to a lifetime of pleasure.

I like it but I am struggling to learn the harmonica at 74yo.

A good tutor but not quite for idiots