Harmonica tuition in schools in the South East of England
I want to be in that number
It’s time to learn some fun jazz on the harmonica and here’s a song everybody will recognise. It’s called When The Saints Go Marching In and it’s from New Orleans, The song has a long name, so we’ll call it The Saints for short.
The Saints started life as an American gospel hymn and it was sung quite slowly. But once the Jazz Bands of New Orleans got hold of it, they soon gave it some swing! (more…)
Autumn 2025
We look forward to launching our new harmonica courses and club activities this Autumn. Information about our Autumn music theme is below, along with instructions on how to renew your place or start harmonica music sessions at your school for the first time.
Returners
We are delighted you are continuing the harmonica this Autumn. To reserve your place, we need you to register for the new school year by clicking the Gold Harmonica here on our homepage (smart phone users may need to scroll down). We will then email your renewal invitation with details of how to subscribe.
Newcomers and Younger Siblings
Simply click the Gold Harmonica here on our homepage (smart phone users may need to scroll down), complete your details, and we will email your free taster invitation. Our email also explains how to subscribe after your taster session, what kit you’ll need, and our programme dates. Younger siblings of existing paid up harmonica students are eligible for a small discount.
Fun online learning resources
All our subscribers are sent the login code for our online music resources, which are great for practising the harmonica at home and building wider music knowledge.
Payments
Termly and half-termly subscriptions should be made by bank transfer, or through our Store using a credit/debit card (no need to log in). We regret that we are unable to accept childcare vouchers. Further information, including our account details, is in our taster invitation email and on our How To Pay page. (more…)
Would you like to include music-making on the harmonica in your setting?
Here’s Richard presenting Play Harmonica, the theme tune from Harp Academy’s early years harmonica courses for 4-7 year olds. He’s using a 4 hole easy-play Speedy harmonica (available in our Store). Set to the tune of Wind The Bobbin Up/There’s A Dinosaur, the song encourages young players to acquire the following key skills:
∙ Hole location by number – 1 2 3 4
∙ Breath control – Blow and Draw
∙ C Major Arpeggio – C E G C
∙ Musical Alphabet (with Makaton) – A B C D E F G
∙ Progression to C Major Scale – C D E F G A B C
∙ Enjoyment of Rhythm and Rhyme
∙ Follow hand signals for intonation
∙ Read and follow harmonica arrow tab notation
If you would like access to the backing track, harmonica tabs, or further details about music making on the harmonica and running weekly sessions in your Early Years setting, get in touch using the details on our Contact page. Please also visit our Early Years menu for more insight into our Pre-School harmonica activities, or our KS1 for young School Age children.
Join our online harp sessions for 11-14 yrs
Harp Academy is often asked if it offers harmonica coaching for players in Secondary Education 11-14 years (KS3/Middle School). With the help of Zoom, the answer is yes!
We now run a weekly online group on Mondays 4.45pm-5.30pm (UK time). Friendly and encouraging, our sessions feature warm up exercises, study pieces, instrument skills and easy music theory. We use a combination of harp tabs and standard notation, but an ability to read music is not essential. Attendees have access to our cloud folder where we keep a music diary and study materials.
If you’d like to try a free taster session, email us via our contacts page and we’ll send you the information you need. If you are happy with your taster experience, ongoing sessions are £10.00 each, payable half-termly (five sessions) in advance. Sessions are led by Richard Taylor, a leading expert in harmonica teaching for young people. Full safeguarding criteria are adhered to while online, as is diversity and inclusivity, and sessions are not recorded.
Harpin’ By The Sea Harmonica Festival.
Here’s a memento for everyone who took part in the children’s workshop at this year’s Harpin’ By The Sea international harmonica festival in 2023.
Thirty children from 4 to 11 years old joined Richard Taylor and Quim Roca for two hours of music and mayhem, culminating in a performance to our grown ups live on stage. It was epic!
Thanks to Matt our Sound Engineer and everyone at The Brunswick for a great morning of fun.