Software Tools for the Harmonica
The above link will allow you to download the handout for my seminar in PDF format. In the handout, you will find links to purchase and/or download the applications mentioned in the seminar as well as links to resources to help you master each. Additionally, the PDF includes some visual aids that I have found helpful as I learn more about both diatonic and chromatic harmonica. These can work in tandem with the use of the software applications studied. Below, you will find additional application tutorials that I have authored.
Below you will find the an updated version of the presentation I delivered at the 2024 SPAH convention in Tulsa. It has similar but not the same demonstrations and actually is more in depth and broader than what I had time for at the convention. Below is a growing collection of additional tutorial videos that will help you get a quick start at specific applications that you might find useful in supporting your harmonica playing habit!
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Software Tools For Mastering New Melodies
This one hour seminar was presented at the SPAH 2024 Convention for harmonica musicians from around the world. My goal in the seminar is a survey of practical ways that software technology can assist musician in mastering new melodies. Time limits for the convention prevented an in-depth coverage of any one application so on this page you will find a list of tutorials which will help you get a running start with several of the apps. It is my plan to add more tutorials over time and even to provide links to other tutorials that I find.
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Musescore for Harmonica Players
Musescore is a very deep application. As a harmonica player, you just need to know a subset of the application features. I made a list of the task I find myself doing as I use Musescore to learn new melodies by ear for my diatonic playing and to help me master playing from music notation for my chromatic harp. Generating tablature, note names, practice for mastering scales are all included in this 45 minute video.
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Anytune Pro for the Harmonica Musician
Explore Anytune Pro on the Mac for the harmonica musician. Learn how to analyze the style and embellishments of your favorite harmonica players using powerful audio tools including looping, slowdown, pitch change, and use of marks and loops.
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Song Surgeon For Harmonica Users
Song Surgeon is compatible with both Mac and Windows. I have been recommending it particularly for Windows users who do not have access to Anytune Pro on the Mac or IOS. While more expensive, it offers several unique features such as key recognition and audio editing. This video should help you get a running start for use of the app for melody and embellishment study.
A companion to this content is the journal/blog I'm keeping about my experiences in mastering the Chromatic harmonica. If you will look through that journal you will see that most of my ideas about the use of software and visuals to help me learn harmonica were derived from my personal quest. I plan to continue to add this this journal.
