The course is divided into four "years". First year, called "Freshman Year" is for complete beginners, with lessons advancing step by step. The following years are for more experienced players. Whatever your level, you will find a starting point.
You progress at your own pace. The time to complete each Harmonica Academy year will vary from person to person, some taking more others less. The important thing is that you will improve.
If you complete the Harmonica Academy program, you will become a very fine player.
Harmonica Academy is described below. There are 81 lessons, divided into two parts, tunes and blues. Each year has around 20 lessons.
If you just want to play blues, then complete all of the freshman year lessons, then take the blues lessons in the following years. However I recommend all the lessons. The tunes lessons open a new world of music and playing opportunities.
Note: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior are the names for first, second, third and fourth year in US High Schools and Colleges. I went to a US College and so used these names for Harmonica Academy.
This is the starting point for complete beginners. I assume that you have never played harmonica before, and that you have no previous experience with other instruments. Begin with the 10 tunes lessons, then move to the blues ones. At the end of this year you will be able to play some tunes, as well as simple but effective blues improvisations.
| Tunes | Blues |
| 1 First Sounds | 1 Blues Introduction |
| 2 Single Notes | 2 First Riffs |
| 3 More Single Notes | 3 First Solos |
| 4 Moving Between Notes | 4 The 12 Bar |
| 5 The Middle Holes | 5 Developing Tone |
| 6 Harmonica Notation | 6 Bending Introduction |
| 7 The Major Scale | 7 Blues Phrasing |
| 8 Ode to Joy | 8 Strong Notes |
| 9 More Ode to Joy | 9 Bending Hole 4 |
| 10 Chords | 10 More Strong Notes |
This year finishes the introduction to blues techniques and shows how to play more complex tunes. After this year you will be ready for blues performance and the traditional tune repertoire.
This year covers advanced blues techniques, used by professional players. You will also learn a traditional tune repertoire. At the end of this year, you will be able to perform comfortably in professional blues and traditional music settings.
| Tunes | Blues |
| 1 Tunes Endings | 1 Blues Rhythms |
| 2 Hans Scale | 2 Hand Cupping |
| 3 Arpeggio Chords | 3 Vibrato |
| 4 Playing Faster | 4 More Chord Rhythms |
| 5 Modes | 5 Tongue Blocking |
| 6 Scale Degrees | 6 4 Hole Octaves |
| 7 Hole 3 Bend | 7 5 Hole Octaves |
| 8 Bending Exercises | 8 Blow Bends |
| 9 Thirds Scale | 9 Blues Scale |
| 10 Software Metronome | 10 Trills |
This year introduces first and third position blues, and second and third position tunes. The exercises are difficult, and will challenge even the most experienced players.