Harmonica Northwest

October 24-27, 2024

Join us for a long weekend of all things harmonica—world-class instructors, classes, jams, and a concert, too.

Artistic Director Kim Field has been a professional harmonica player, singer, and songwriter for four decades. He's gathered a stellar group of players and teachers who will help you reach the next level in your harmonica playing and performing.

You’ll arrive on Thursday afternoon and be welcomed by Kim and his staff and introduced to each other. Friday and Saturday will be filled with classes, individualized instruction, delicious meals, evening jam sessions, and harmonica fellowship designed to help you take your harmonica playing to the next level. On Saturday night the instructors will perform a special show demonstrating the harmonica’s incredible versatility. After breakfast on Sunday and some final music making, we’ll disband and return home inspired and even more in love with the world’s most popular instrument.

Come join us in 2024!

Artistic Director Kim Field has recruited a renowned group of instructors for Harmonica Northwest 2024:

• Joe Filisko
• Ross Garren
• Eric Noden
• Hank Shreve

What does the Harmonica Northwest schedule look like?

Check it out, class descriptions are just below the schedule

“Groove Class” with Joe Filisko and Eric Noden. Joe and Eric will take you on a fun, deep dive into one of the classic blues grooves. In the process, you will learn how to serve that groove on the harmonica. In the process, students will enjoy a master class on critical breathing and tone-production techniques.

“Tongue Blocking on the Harmonica” with Joe Filisko and Eric Noden. Tongue blocking is a technique as old as the harmonica itself and a critical component in achieving the classic blues harmonica sound. Joe and Eric will demystify tongue blocking by explaining what it is, how it is done, and why you should make it a core skill.

“Repertoire Class: “Got Love If You Want It” with Ross Garren. Improve your musicianship and harmonica skills by learning the classic blues tune “Got Love If You Want It.”

“Rhythm Harmonica” with Ross Garren. The harmonica is best known as a solo instrument, but what do you do when you aren’t soloing? This class focuses on how to play rhythmic patterns on the harmonica and adapt them to a variety of musical styles, including swing, reggae, and funk.

"How To Keep Getting Hired (As A Harmonica Player)" with Hank Shreve. Playing music with others is one of the great joys in life, but doing so successfully requires more than just playing skills. This class will cover many real-world, useful tips and tricks on how to make music with others, including how to lead a band with just a harmonica and how to communicate with other musicians.

“Third Position + Chromatic for the Blues Diatonic Player" with Hank Shreve. Hank will show you why, and how, to add third position to your harmonica vocabulary and how it can be used to play songs in both major and minor keys. Learning third position is also one of the best ways to introduce diatonic players to the chromatic harmonica. Do you have a chromatic harmonica that you’re not sure what to do with, or are you curious about the instrument? Hank will explain how to get started on the chromatic and how to get a good tone on it.

“Amplified Harmonica + How To Use Your Harmonica as a Pitch Pipe” with Greg Heumann. Greg Heumann, one of the world’s leading designers and builders of amplified-harmonica equipment, will explain how to use amplifiers, microphones and effects to achieve a great amplified sound. Have you ever struggled to determine what key a song is in so that you could decide which harmonica to use to play it? Greg will show how to quickly solve this basic problem by using the harmonica as a pitch pipe.

Cost to Attend

The costs below are per person and all-inclusive of class fee, 8 meals (Thursday dinner - Sunday lunch), public concert, and lodging. Your cost will vary according to the number of people you are willing to share a room with.

• Triple Occupancy (you'll have 2 roommates) $743
• Double Occupancy (you'll have 1 roommate) $827
• Single Occupancy (just you!) $922
• Commuter (classes, lunches & dinners, no overnight lodging at Menucha) $645
• Non-participating spouse/partner $203

Would your partner/spouse like to come with you and stay in the same room with you but not take the classes? They can! Total cost for the two of you is $1030

Optional Purchase Protection and Menucha's Cancellation Policy

During registration you will have the option to add Purchase Protection from Purchase Protection LLC. "Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy.  It is a service by Purchase Protection LLC that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes, and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event."

Please read what is covered and their terms to decide if this is something that you want to add. It is only available at the time of registration. It is an additional cost paid directly to Purchase Protection LLC and not administered by Menucha.

Learn more about Purchase Protection

Read Menucha's cancellation policy here.

“Superb instruction AND entertainment. The setting, accommodations, and food were absolutely superb in every way.”

“The best harmonica event I’ve ever been to!! Some of the nicest teachers/performers in the world.”

“This workshop was world-class quality. Now I have more of a roadmap of what to practice!!!!”

“A great experience where we learned, played, shared ideas and experiences. We also made friendships with others that share the same love of playing the harmonica. You and the instructors taught us some of the subtleties and basics that we needed to advance our skills. I really appreciate how the instructors bonded with the attendees all during the 3-plus days. It was a great to jam and interact with you guys! I highly recommend attending for anyone who wants to gain knowledge for improving and have a good time doing it. You can be sure I’ll be there next year!”

“Already looking forward to next year! Such a fantastic camp with some truly committed players and instructors. Even a complete novice like me was made to feel comfortable and worthy of the expertise these guys exude. Harmonica players at every level were here and able to get maximum benefit from this fun and exciting camp.”

“I was a bit concerned, as a more beginning level player, the instruction would be beyond me. I came away with some very specific skills to practice that give me a roadmap to move forward. The instructors, fellow students, and staff could not have been more friendly and kind! Gorgeous setting and delicious meals! I will be back next year!”

“This was quite a special ‘first of’ and I am more than fortunate to have attended. The selection of instructors was just perfect in all ways.”

“I can’t say enough about the classes and the entire course! It was really terrific. It was an excellent teaching experience, even for a relatively newcomer to the harmonica!! Congrats on a VERY successful program.”

“I’ve been to several harmonica weekends and although I’ve gotten something from each of them, this one stands out as exceptionally good. Joe Filisko’s expert teaching was a great opportunity to revisit the building blocks of harp playing, something I need to do every so often in order for me to make progress as a player. Andrew Alli’s teaching and soulful playing and beautiful tone were truly inspirational, and Ross Garren’s superb playing and introductions to other styles of playing make me want to explore new ways to play harp. Kim did a great job pulling the weekend together, and setting an overall tone that was supportive, collegial, and a lot of fun. Well done!”

“Already looking forward to next year! Such a fantastic camp with some truly committed players and instructors. Even a complete novice like me was made to feel comfortable and worthy of the expertise these guys exude. Harmonica players at every level were able to get maximum benefit from this fun and exciting camp. Thanks to Kim and all the great instructors.”