diatonic harmonica towards jazz manouche
THE DATE
2027, May 06–09
SCHEDULE
Start: Thursday at 2 pm
End: Sunday at 12 noon
Total: ca. 14 lessons of 60 minutes each
THE LOCATION
Bergmannstr. 29, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg in the rooms of the Volkshochschule.
THE COSTS
410 €
CONCERT
Three ‘N’ One
2025, May 8th, tbd
THE MASTER WORKSHOP
S
The Master Workshops take place from Thursday to Sunday. In addition to the lessons, you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and jam with others.
Minimum: 4 participants
The diatonic harmonica making its way towards jazz manouche
A workshop for (semi-)professional and advanced players of the diatonic harmonica. With Joan Pau Cumellas
2026, May 6–9
Bergmannstr. 29, 10961 Berlin
A course to introduce the harmonica in the field of ”jazz manouche”, with tunes that suggest new ways of expression, beyond the 12-bar blues. Each tune includes specific melodic and rhythmic challenges that we approach in an orderly manner. We start with short units that are easy to memorize and, progressively, we will work on the whole set. Addressing topics such as rhythm and clean notes, hitting the right tone to bends and introducing overblows and overdraws into our language. At the same time, we play with chords and arpeggio lines to experience the color of harmony. ‘Feeling’ the chord progression of the tune by playing with different harmonicas prepares us for improvisation. Starting with three-note licks and, later, enriching the phrasing by adding the rest of the notes of the scale.
All with a practical philosophy, listening and actively participating, whether playing accompaniment, melody or improvising. Like a small orchestra where everyone has their role, getting the most out of the registers of this magnificent instrument.
We recommend bringing harmonicas in the main tones such as: C, D, A, G, Bb and F. Other models such as country tuning in C are also welcome, but not essential.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Joan Pau Cumellas is one of the most outstanding performers in Spain, taking the harmonica to surprising limits. Passionate about this instrument, he explores its possibilities within a wide range of styles. He has released 12 albums and more than 90 recordings. We also hear his harmonica in commercials and soundtracks. His repertoire reveals the strength of the instrument in areas such as blues-fusion, jazz manouche or bluegrass, also leaving room for the waltz or the rumba. Pieces of his own composition showcase the harmonica’s register, ranging from a broken blues voice to a virtuoso bluegrass fiddle.