[Harp-L] More Whooping!

[Ben Hewlett <ben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All

I’ve just finished my latest exploration into the style of the wonderful Sonny Terry. If you fancy a look a look at the video here’s the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n_3dAp4O48

The cd/book is available as a download from tonight and will be available as a physical cd/book in a few weeks. You can view it at www.harmonicaworld.net.

I’ve had mucho help and support with this project and would like to thank the following fine chaps for their comments below and their valuable guidance and encouragement.

And thanks as always to Joe Filisko for continual coaching (ok, badgering!) on correct tuning and authentic intonation for this style of music.

Peter Madcat Ruth www.madcatmusic.net 
(Extra thanks to this fine Grammy Award winning gentleman for letting us use one of his tracks - Georgie Buck - on the album as an example of contempory ‘Sonny style’ in full flight)
"I first heard Sonny Terry on the radio in 1964.  My mind was blown, and my life was changed.  A few days latter I bought a Sonny Terry phonograph record and started to try to figure out how to play harmonica.  My task would have been a lot easier if Ben Hewlett’s Sonny Terry Riffs books were available back then.  I highly recommend you take advantage of this great opportunity to learn to play harmonica like Sonny Terry.  Enjoy! 

Jerry Portnoy www.harpmaster.com
"Ben Hewlett has produced an extremely useful, clear and understandable breakdown of the key elements of Sonny Terry's harmonica style and techniques. Highly recommended!"

Richard Sleigh R.Sleigh.com
"Sonny Terry's ‘controlled Epileptic fit’ style of harmonica playing was a jolt of Rock and Roll energy in the world of acoustic blues. I saw him once, and I was lucky - Brownie couldn't make the gig and Sonny blew the roof off of the auditorium by himself with a sustained blast of genius and energy. Unforgettable. 
If you are an intelligently lazy musician that wants to jump into the wild world of Sonny Terry, then be grateful that Ben Hewlett has done the heavy lifting for you. Just follow his instructions, learn the licks, master them and then forget them. Then look out - Sonny's energy and genius will pop through you when you least expect it.... Your playing will never be the same!"
 
Steve Baker www.stevebaker.de
"Starting with those inimitable rhythmic chugging patterns and progressing through a wide selection of Sonny's classic riffs, Ben Hewlett has succeeded in breaking down the essential elements of Sonny Terry's unique harmonica style into easily understandable sections which are readily accessible to the intermediate player. Accompanied by guitar and drums, Ben plays each figure at the original tempo, then slows it down to half time so you can hear every note, before playing it at tempo once again. This is a great source, both for Sonny Terry fans as well as for anyone just looking for some cool licks."

Rob Paparozzi  www.robpaparozzi.com
"Ben has figured out how to make Sonny Terry's licks & style attainable for harp players on all levels. His methodology and respect for the music are what make him a  great player and an extraordinary teacher. Kudos to Ben for 'demystifying' the work of one of our Harmonica Giants in a way the makes it FUN to learn a style with many twists, turns, hoots and hollers! "

Ben Hewlett
ben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.harmonicaworld.net
01454 881 089
07973 284 366