Improvising Blues Harmonica

About the AuthorDavid Barrett is the world's most published author of the blues harmonica. Having played saxophone and trumpet for many years David already had a solid musical platform when he started to play the harmonica at age fourteen. By age sixteen he was already playing blues jam sessions and harmonica shows in the California bay area. By age eighteen he was studying music theory in college and started teaching harmonica at local music institutes. By age twenty he released his first book, Building Harmonica Technique, with Mel Bay Publications. While finishing his degree in music he had the opportunity to take over a local music store that helped spur the beginning of the Harmonica Masterclass Workshop. David now runs the Harmonica Masterclass Company full time, bringing lesson books, lesson videos, private instruction, and workshops to players all around the world. David has worked and played with Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Lee Oskar, Rod Piazza, James Harman, Gary Smith, Andy Just, Mark Ford, Billy Boy Arnold, Rick Estrin, Paul deLay, Jerry Portnoy, Gary Primich, Howard Levy, Magic Dick, Tom Ball, Annie Raines, Paul Oscher, Phil Wiggins, and Brendan Power. He now fronts his own band featuring John Garcia on guitar and vocals. David is the owner of the Harmonica Masterclass Company, that specializes in harmonica products and workshops for blues harmonica. His last workshop had twenty-six states and eight countries represented in attendance. Through his numerous instructional books and videos, David is revolutionizing the way the harmonica is taught. As a professional singer and guitarist for the last 30 years, there are few his equal. Instrumental virtuosity coupled with a unique vocal style are his trademarks. To name but a few of the huge list of players John has played and recorded with: John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Eddie Taylor, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Sunnyland Slim, Big Mama Thorton, Skip Rose, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, S.P. Leary, Luther Tucker, Lee Oskar, Bonnie Raitt, John Hammond, Bo Diddley, Mose Allision, Paul Simon, Huey Lewis and many, many more. Bo Diddley once stated John was "one hell of an entertainer." John Lee Hooker stated, "He's one of the best I've heard in a long time." John has been teaching in the California Bay Area for over 25 years. His credentials include both private instruction and group instruction for colleges, music conservatories, adult community schools and breakout sessions at Harmonica Masterclass Workshops and School of the Blues Workshops all around the world. John can be heard on various recordings including lead guitarist and frontman on Blues singer John Lee Hooker's "The Cream" on Tomato Records. Recording sessions included working with Paul Simon for the movie sound track and album "One Trick Pony" in 1979. John's latest album is with David Barrett called "Serious Fun," on which many of his original compositions are featured.

About the Author