The 2025 three-day Harmonica Workshop will be held Monday, June 2nd – Wednesday, June 4th.
Registration is $300 (now – 3/31) or $375 (4/1 – 6/2).
Mission of the Kerrville Folk Festival Harmonica Workshop
To provide a positive learning environment for teacher and student that engages all to learn, study and promote a broader understanding of the harmonica and to inspire all in becoming more passionate about becoming a better player and person outside the workshop environment.
Your registration fee includes:
- Three days of harmonica classes
- Lunches on class days
- A commemorative t-shirt
- A Hohner harmonica
There is also a registration option that includes festival tickets for an additional $90.
Registrants must have Festival admission for all three workshop days. Festival tickets can be purchased with the workshop registration or separately as part of a Festival ticket package; or registrants may have alternate means of admission such as Volunteering, Guest, or Vendor credentials.
A 10% discount is available for current SPAH members.
Check the SPAH website or newsletter for the special discounted link.
The Harmonica Workshop is led by Rob Roy Parnell; faculty include Joe Filisko, Eric Noden and Michael D’Eath.
What Should Students Bring?
- Harmonicas in the Key of A, C, D and F in good working order
(A harmonica in the key of C is good to bring for 3rd Position Study and Chromatics. The key of C is recommended for the Chromatic for all positions.) - Notepad with a hard back and pen or pencil
- Hand-held recorder to help capture useful info from instructors
- Container to drink water
(Kerrville Folk Festival has reasonably priced souvenir thermos cups to purchase or you can bring your own from home.)
Syllabus (May be adjusted to meet the needs of the students)
Day 1
10:30 am: Hour 1 – Introductions by teacher and students around the stage to get everyone comfortable to learn.
11:30 am: Hours 2–2.5 – I, IV, V chord progression, other types of chord progressions, scales and how they relate to the harmonica. Brief discussion on the circle of fifths. Discussion on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions.
12:30 pm: Lunch – 30 minutes
1:00 pm: Hour 3 – One-on-one rotations. Teachers demonstrate a 24-bar I, IV, V progression, intro/outros, and lead students through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position solos.
2:00 pm: Hour 4 – One-on-one rotations continue. Discussion on using the circle of fifths and exploring 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th positions with diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. Topics include bends, tone, vibrato, over blows. Group meeting for homework and Day 2 preview.
Day 2
10:30 am: ½ Hour 5 – General Session discussion with faculty and students
11:00 am: ½ Hour 5 + Hour 6 – One-on-one rotations. Teachers lead a class on chromatic and other harps, revisiting bends, over blows, vibratos, and playing in different musical styles.
12:30 pm: Lunch – 30 minutes
1:00 pm: Hour 7 – One-on-one rotations. Class discussion on jam etiquette and microphone etiquette when accompanying others.
2:00 pm: Hour 8 – One-on-one rotations. Class focuses on circle of fifths, first five positions, and tone across the instrument using guitar accompaniment.
3:00 pm: Hour 9 – One-on-one rotations. Continued emphasis on circle of fifths, 1st–3rd positions, and pentatonic scales with guitar accompaniment.
Brief General Session on homework and evening campfire song circle.
Approx. 9:30 pm – After evening concert, meet at Energy Camp for campfire song circle.
Day 3
10:30 am: Hour 10 – Discussion: “Every Groove A Harmonica Player Needs to Know.” Learn musical lingo, groove communication, and etiquette in group settings.
11:30 am: Hour 11 – One-on-one rotations. Exploring musical styles, diatonic and chromatic playing, and harmonica tunings to expand skillset.
12:30 pm: Lunch – 30 minutes
1:00 pm: Hour 12 – One-on-one rotations. Review of circle of fifths, 1st–3rd positions, and pentatonic scales with guitar accompaniment.
2:00 pm: Hour 13 – Amplification session: playing through mics, PA, and amps.
Teacher feedback for each student, teacher evaluations, group photo, and final performance prep.