Harp’s a Breeze Harmonica Workshops have designed a fantastic step-by-step online program teaching primary school students all over Australia how to play the harmonica!

The tutorials are kept short at 15 minutes each, reducing too much screen time, yet the worksheets and extra learning devices provided between each tutorial ensure self-directed learning to be most effective throughout the month-long program.

The tutorials end with a final performance where the students play everything they have learnt with a live recorded band in a concert setting. It’s a wonderful way to keep students actively performing in times of isolation, and the content can easily be used for school performances when the curriculum gets back to normal! Whether the online course is used for remote learning, lunchtime activities, after school programs, holiday programs or regular classroom settings, it is proving to be a fantastic addition to the curriculum for schools across Australia.

Each child receives:

– 1 new high quality 10 hole harmonica in the key of C

– 4 step-by-step tutorials (1 month in duration)

– Extra learning material and worksheets between each tutorial

– Specially designed melody booklet full of fun and familiar songs

– Tutorial access code

Each tutorial includes:

– A variety of harmonica-based games and exercises to build musicianship

– Melodic reading exercises made simple

– Chordal playing

– Extended harmonica techniques and explorations of sound including vibrato, trills, staccato, flutter-tongue and more

– Regular deep-breathing exercises to build lung power and strengthen focus

– Display of rare harmonicas including chromatic, bass, ladybird and diatonic harmonicas

– Aural and rhythmic games

– Awesome final performance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG71UAShFEA

This 1-month online program is also available to individual children outside of schools for $40 excl postage

Such benefits include: Increased lung power / Increased oxygen levels to the blood / Optimised heart rate and reduced blood pressure / Enhanced concentration levels / Beneficial for asthma patients

Who: Harps a Breeze

What: 2021 School Program

When: From January 2021 

To Find Out More & Book Online Click Here

CHRIS AND HIS CAREER…

From a young age, Chris Maunders developed a unique interest for the harmonica and his fascination for the characteristics of the instrument led him to pursue a distinctive career in the Australian music industry.

With over a decade of experience in harmonica tuition, Chris became the first in Australian history to complete a Bachelor of Music on the harmonica. This intensive study took place at Melbourne’s prestigious Victorian College of the Arts (Melbourne University) and in this period he won Australia’s largest harmonica competition, the “Tamworth Golden Harmonica” in 2012. Chris then continued his studies at the VCA completing the Honours program. The thesis he wrote focused on harmonica technique and its teaching methods, this paper became a first of its kind for the academic world.

Chris is a regular performer within the Melbourne music scene and is known for his musical versatility spanning across different genres with a strong Jazz influence. His broad musical interests have taken him across many styles including Argentinian Tango, Ethiopian Jazz, Australian and American Folk, French Gypsy Swing, Traditional New Orleans Jazz and Colombian Cumbia with a deep respect for music from all parts of the world. He has performed in countless festivals and venues which include the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Festival, St Kilda Festival, Sydney rd Festival, Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club, Uptown Jazz Cafe, Paris Cat Jazz Club and many more.

Chris has recently released his debut album It’s Like Reaching for the Moon with the Chris Maunders Trio playing Australian and American jazz standards. Recorded with Niko Schauble at Pughouse Studios, the recording captures a beautifully unique chamber sound embraced by the band, which has become one of few Australian jazz records with the chromatic harmonica positioned as a leading ensemble voice.

As an experienced and professional musician, Chris is able to provide and deliver high quality harmonica education with an interactive approach. He uses the Orff Schulwerk pedagogy which enables him to engage with students of differing ages and backgrounds. Chris’ dedication to the harmonica encourages students to discover their own connections with music.