DVD-New Directions For Harmonica-Expanding Your Technique (2005) Review

Howard Levy is a freak of nature. Is there anybody else on the face of the planet who can play chromatically (half-steps) on a diatonic (whole-step) harmonica like he does? If there is, I don't know about them. Howard's remarkable technique is probably the biggest physical innovation on any instrument since bottleneck slide guitar or the plunger over the trumpet bell. For now, his discovery that "all the notes" do in fact live inside the diatonic harmonica remains largely unsung. I only hope some young, super-talented musician will someday master this technique, become immensely popular and introduce an entire generation to Howard Levy's spectacular discovery. Maybe that's you??

Even though Howard is a virtuoso, there really is something here for everybody. With humility, patience and a vintage 80's shirt that would make Bill Cosby's sweater collection blush, Howard thoroughly lays out everything you could possibly need to know about how to play every note in the twelve-tone scale in all three octaves of a diatonic harmonica. (Each octave requires a slightly different technique, which is part of what makes Howard's playing so amazing.)

The discussion of ombechure (the shape of the mouth and tongue) for getting different notes is outstanding and thorough, though I would have liked to be shown how to get blow-bends, which is perhaps too basic for this DVD. (Note that this DVD does not deal with the chromatic (button) harmonica, as made famous by Toots Thielmans or Stevie Wonder. Chromatic harmonicas have a button on the side that moves the whole instrument a half-step to get the chromatic notes. Howard relies strictly on ombechure to achieve every note.) However far you get in this admittedly difficult technique is up to you... you don't have to master it to get a lot out of this DVD.

Howard's explanation of modes (and how a harmonica is just "a piano with only white keys") is an outstanding introduction to the subject for ANY musician, although some less esoteric examples of the mixolydian (cross-harp) and aeolian (natural minor) modes might have proven more accessible for beginners. The circle of fifths is also well-presented.

This is not quite an introduction to harmonica. I would recommend you be able to blow/draw single notes up and down at least the bottom two octaves of the harmonica, and bend a note or three in at least the bottom octave, before you dive into this CD. But even for novices, Howard's choice of what to show you when is laid out very thoughtfully. I continue to find it extremely helpful to watch this DVD from the beginning with harmonica in hand and follow along as far as I can with his examples, which get steadily more challenging as he moves up the scale and into more sophisticated (but never arcane) theory.

Howard's enthusiasm for the harmonica throughout this DVD is infectious, and his willingness to serve in stewardship to what I hope will someday be recognized as a remarkable legacy is evident. And of course his playing on "Autumn Leaves" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" is impeccably lyrical, listenable and empathetic to his piano accompaniment. A real treat for all musicians at all levels.

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Product Description:
Harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy has mastered the awesome technique of playing chromatically on a basic ten-hole harmonica. Now he teaches you how he does it through the use of bends, overblows, overdraws and other challenging techniques. With some harp experience and the desire to move into dynamic new musical territory, you'll soon be playing blues, classical, jazz, pop or Latin tunes while gaining valuable insights into the harmonica's full potential.
Review:
"You owe it to yourself to check out Howard Levy's new teaching video . . . Howard may change your mind, and if you're serious about your music, he might even change your life. . . . The techniques Howard talks about are advanced techniques, but the video is so comprehensive that it is valuable to you even if you are a beginner because (it) demonstrates that there is virtually no limit to where you can take your instrument." -- American Harmonica Newsletter

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