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UK venues where you can jam or play harmonica

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To enquire about harmonica teachers near you, email nhl@harmonica.co.uk, stating location, experience and style of harmonica/music to be learned.


Across the Country
  • www.pubjamsessions.com, list of jam sessions around the country
  • Beginners Harmonica Workshops in Berks, Bucks and Sussex.

    • Richard Taylor is running morning and afternoon workshops on Sat 31 January for beginners and intermediates at the Sussex Academy of Music. It's in Shoreham-by-Sea ('West Brighton & Hove'!!). Cost will be £20.00 per person per workshop (£25.00 including a C diatonic harmonica to keep). You can download detailed information on the course content by clicking here. Contact Richard on email for more information.

    • Con O’Neill is offering a one-day introduction to the diatonic harmonica around the South East of England this winter.

      Con has been developing this workshop over the last ten years, offering a fun introduction to the world’s most popular instrument. Participants learn the basic techniques of playing melody, Blues improvisation and chord playing (“chugging”). Teaching harmonica since 1992, Con received his BA in Music Education from London Metropolitan University this year is now one of Britain’s most highly qualified harmonica teachers. Contact Con by email for information on any of these teaching sessions.

      All dates are Saturdays, all timings 10am to 3.30pm. Prices may vary.

    • You can hear Con O'Neill in concert with fellow harmonica teacher Joff Watkins on Thursday 11 December at The Green Note, Camden http://www.greennote.co.uk/ and on Saturday 21 February at The Stables, Milton Keynes http://www.stables.org/ .

      Contact Con to arrange a workshop in your area.

      *All Brighton

London and South East

  • Bracknell South-Hill-Park Blues Jammers and Music Club - an active group of harmonica players and other instrumentalists. The harmonica players meet every other Monday evening for a mixture of tuition and playing with guitar accompanyment. Check the link for dates when it meets. Here is a poster for the event.
  • Diatonic harmonica classes at Campden Working Mens College, on Monday evenings. The course led by by Hugh Barnett - hughgbarnett@hotmail.com, who also does private lessons.
    Campden Working Mens College, 44 Crowndale Road, London NW1 ITR, near the Mornington Crescent tube station.
    http://www.wmcollege.ac.uk/
    Performing Arts Courses #84, page 9,harmonica
    Harmonica (Blues 1/2/3) - £64 per 10 week term,
    Course Content: This is an ideal course for anyone who has ever wanted to learn to play the harmonica. Students will learn basic tablatue, rhythm techniques, improvising to 12-bar blues and musical expression. It could just be the best Harmonica course around.

  • Diatonic Harmonica at Morley College, Waterloo Harmonica Level 1 - Two terms, Thursdays 6pm to 7.30, beginning in September 2008 and January 2009.

    Autumn Term is for suitable for absolute beginners, covering fundamental techniques such as single notes, chord playing (chugging) and bending on the 10-hole diatonic harmonica. By the end of term, you should expect to be improvising in second position (blues style), and playing simple melodies with good technique. A foundation in music theory as it relates to the instrument is also provided.Spring Term is suitable for intermediate players, that is: anyone who can already bend a note. The course will show you how to move forward in your playing by using the blues scale in second and third positions. You will also work on intermediate technique, looking at tongue blocking, double stops, trills and throat vibrato. Theory will be explained in the context of improvisation.

    Harmonica Level 1 Course (MTW11A) at Morley College is accepting intermediate students from Thursday 15 January, 6pm. 0207450 1889 to enrol.

    If you can already bend a note, you are an intermediate. If you would like to get deeper into second position and chugging, and learn about third position and tongue blocking, along with a foundation in music theory for harmonica players, join us for 9 weeks for £56 (£45 concs).

    You will need diatonic harmonicas in C and A.

    To enrol, phone Morley College on 020 7450 1889 (course is in Music brochure, under Traditional and World Music).

    For advice on this course, phone Con O'Neill on 0790 508 7741.enquiries@morleycollege.ac.uk Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HT http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk

  • London Harmonicas - meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
    Email enquiries - londonharps@hotmail.co.uk

    Beginners: 7.15-8pm, Players: 8-10pm, Where: The Banquet Room (access through the Cafe, disabled access available, 0790 508 7741), CANDID ARTS TRUST, 3 Torrens St, London, EC1V 1NQ, (Angel Islington tube) - www.candidarts.com), £4/£3.

  • Diatonic Harmonica at Richmond Adult Community College, London - 10 week courses for intermediate and beginner level diatonic harmonica are held at different times throughout the year. For more information contact Joff on 07890 834002 - joffharp@yahoo.com - or look at the Richmond college website. www.racc.ac.uk

  • Sunday afternoon, 12.00 till 16:00pm
    The White Lyon, Perry Hill, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey - 07968 542917
  • Monday evening, 8:00 till late
    "Ain't Nothin' But ...", 20 Kingly St, Soho, W1, 0171 287 0514. Blues Jam organised by Ian Seigel.
  • Monday evening, 7:00 to 9:00pm
    Harmonica classes/lessons/tuition at The Camden Working Men's College, 44 Crowndale Road, London NW1 ITR, near the Mornington Crescent tube station.
  • Tuesday night
    The Hobgoblin, High Street, Brentwood, Essex, 0127 7848449 - A brand new fortnightly blues jam night is starting 26th November.
  • Wednesday night
    The Red Lion, 92-94 Linkfield Road, TW7 6QJ, London - Jam and open mic night Every Wednesday at 8:30pm. Singer, Musician (Guitar, Bass , Harmonica , Percussion,etc..) are welcome. You can perform solo or with our pro-band. Backline and P.A are provided. Free admission.
  • Thursday evening
    The Lion Brewery, 104 Guildford Road, Ash, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 6BT - 01252 650486
  • 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
    The Three Lions, 55 Meadrow, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 3HR - 01483 417880
  • Thursday evening
    The Swan Inn, The Street, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2DW, Colchester, Essex - 01245 380238

  • Thursday evening
    Blues Etc - The White Lyon, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey - from Feb 27th, 2003
  • Up to date jam listings in London from Brad's great site, Blues-uk. Lots of them - frequently updated - join the mailing list.
  • Jams mainly in the South East.

South Coast

Midlands and East Anglia

  • Tuesday evening, 8:30
    The Lichfield Blues Hounds - Every Tuesday at: Paradise Lounge, Sandford Street, Staffordshire, WS13 6QA. in Lichfield town centre next door to the Guildhall - 01543 414473. All styles - blues, jazz, rock - catered for.
  • Second Wednesday of every month, 8:00
    The Sutton Blues Collective - Good Hope Hospital Social Club, Bedford Rd., Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands - meets on the second Wednesday of every month. It's a club for devotees of acoustic blues, mainly guitar, but harmonica players are more than welcome to sit in and jam along with them. A friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Contact Mick Pierce, 0121-378-3589; Paul Cowley, 0121-373-0980; or Andy Bole, 0121-321-1670 for details.
  • Every Thursday
    Crossroads Blues Club, 8:45pm at the Tower of Song, 107 Pershore Road South, Cotteridge, Birmingham, B30 3JX. See their MySpace site.
  • Every other Thursday
    Nags Hill, Queens Road, Nuneaton, CV11 5LD, 02476325581. Alternates with a Rock night.
  • Sunday evening
    The Haymakers, 54 High Street, Chesterton, Cambridge, CB4 1NG, (01223) 367417.
  • Monday & Wednesday
    The Running Horse - The Running Horse in Nottingham have been running Jam Sessions for over 23 years.

North East

  • Newcastle - first Tuesday in the month - The Globe, Railway Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7AD, 0191 2984000.

North West

  • Lancaster - Sunday 8:30pm - Juke Joint Blues - The Water Witch Pub, The Tow Path, Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster, LA1 1SU, 0152463828 - Local map.

  • Manchester NW - Wednesday evening - The Railway, Townley Street, Middleton, Manchester, M24 1BT Telephone: 0161 643 8034. See also the mailing list, manchestermusicians@yahoogroups.co.uk. It attracts people from Altrincham, Eccles, Whitefield and Rochdale
  • Manchester - Tuesday night - Chorltom cum Hardy - see Mat Walklate's web site

    Mat also runs harmonica and Irish Music classes for the Manchester Adult Education Services.

  • Details and information about blues events in the north of England - http://earlyblues.com

South West

  • Bristol - Tues/Sun - The Old Duke - King St., Bristol 01179 277137. Eddie Martin runs a session for acoustic instruments on Tuesday, and on Sunday nights plays with his electric band, and an invited guest.

  • Bristol Folk House runs harmonica and blues workshops run by Ben Hewlett and Eddie Martin.
Yorkshire

  • Leeds - Tues/Wed - The Grove Inn, Back Row, Leeds, W.Yorks, , LS11 5PL, 0113 243 9254 . Tuesday, Jam session; Wednesday, Unplugged Night (this is a night where musicians of all styles and ability perform); The first Monday of every month, the Stormy Monday Blues Night (where anybody can get up and play anything blues related)

  • Halifax - Every Sunday night - Full Session - Every Wednesday Night - Acoustic/Singer/Songwriter night - Bradshaw Tavern, 16, Bradshaw Lane, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 9XB - Starts 8pm - Free beer to all participants - Full Backline (Kit, amps, keyboards)& PA provided - Digital Recording facilities - Host : Paddy Maguire - Call : 01422 244597 - tell them Marcus sent you.

Wales

  • Daytime and evening classes (and private tuition) available at different times/locations throughout the year in South Wales, The Welsh Marches and rural Herefordshire. Beginners/intermediates welcomed. Relaxed fun environment. All interested parties should send an email to Aidan Sheehan to check for up to date details.

Scotland

  • Glasgow - Occasional Sunday evenings - The Station Bar And Megans Lounge, Bank Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, G83 0UL - 30 mins from Glasgow TELEPHONE : 01389752504
Northern Ireland and Eire

  • Belfast - by Bill Miskimmon on Tuesday at the Crescent Arts Centre, 2- 4 University Road, Belfast,BT7 1NH. Phone - 02890242338 Fax: 028 90 246748, email: info@crescentarts.org
  • Dublin - Michael McInerny teaches Harmonica in Walton's New School of Music. The telephone no. is 01-4781884 or 00353- 14781884 if outside Ireland, fax (353 1) 4751346. The e-mail address is info@newschool.ie and the website is www.newschool.ie . He teaches both group courses and individual lessons at the school. While the demand is mostly blues and folk I have taught a wide range of styles on both diatonic and chromatic.
Lists of Blues Clubs/Venues
  • Blues Jams around the World
  • Blues Jams in New York
  • Blues Clubs in the UK and elsewhere
  • Blues Clubs Worldwide from Sonny Boy Lee - few from UK
  • Blueprint Venue links
  • Blues-UK links to events/venues

  • A Diary of Harmonica Events

    Bookmark and revisit http://harmonica.co.uk for the latest details of these and other events.

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    The National Harmonica League - nhl@harmonica.co.uk
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