Blues Harp Basics        

Riedel studied classical violin for 7 years before teaching himself harmonica and keyboards. At the age of 15 he was performing on stage with his first acoustic blues band. In the 1980s he became an important part of the sound of South German cult rock band Schwoißfuaß as harmonica player, keyboarder and arranger, before going on to win the blues diatonic contest at the World Harmonica Championships in Trossingen in 1989. As well as performing with Blues Delivery and other acoustic acts, he has brought his typical rhythmic rocking harmonica style into rock and pop.  

His workshop Blues Harp Basics is aimed at beginning to intermediate players who want to explore the world of blues harmonica and are looking for the necessary impulses and guidance to help them take the first steps. Riedel knows from experience exactly which pitfalls lie in wait for the novice and can provide the necessary tips and tricks to successfully overcome them.

The workshop will cover the following topics:

Building up playing experience

• Breathing
• Single note playing
• Bending notes
• Good tone
• Vibrato
• Rhythm playing and rhythmic accompaniment

Basics of harmony

• The 12 bar blues form
• Blue notes and their function
• The basics of solo construction

The course content is presented in an interesting and easy to understand manner with the help of beamer, laptop and keyboard/piano. Later students can play along to live recordings of Riedel's band.

Language: German

No prior musical knowledge is necessary
Students should be able to play single notes fairly accurately
Please bring: diatonic blues harps in C and A

The workshop includes a minimum of 11 teaching units of 75 or 90 min from Wednesday to Saturday.

The admissions to the session in the Kesselhaus on Wednesday and the concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday have to be purchased separately.