Doug Puls - Coast to Coast Music - Expert Blues Harmonica and Guitar Instruction

I have completed four blues harp instruction tapes and CDs that cover virtually every topic on blues harp that a beginning or intermediate student needs to know. I have also completed three guitar instruction tapes and CDs that cover basic rhythm, lead and slide guitar. Many of the topics covered came from student input. I have designed my series to be player oriented rather than theory oriented, following the “oral tradition” teaching method of the past. Click here for Information on Doug Puls’ Blues Harmonica and Guitar Tapes and CDs .

"Hi Doug,

I recently purchased your "Blues Harp Practice Tape #1" and am writing to let you know that I am pleased with your tape. I use it just about every day to jam along with. I especially like that you included various speeds and rhythms to practice with. The metronome gives an effective cadence to play against also. It was a worthwhile purchase for me.

Thank you, Dom Galluppi, Toms River, NJ"

"Doug, I want to thank you for the class. I learned a lot, even though it's not apparent in my playing. I think that's just a matter of practice. Then maybe another few lessons. FYI, after the first session I walked out with a couple of other guys, and one of them said, "I've been playing harp for 10 years, read the books, etc., and I learned more in this first class than I ever knew." Once again, thanks for the music lesson. It is obvious you have a passion for the blues. Sincerely, J.D. Smith jssmith@erols.com"

CD/Tape #1

This is my Learn the Basics & Improvising "Tape or CD" contains instruction and tips for learning to work within the 12 bar blues structure, breaking up rhythm, how to improvise, and how to use target notes to build solos. The tape or CD also contains a number of guitar music jam tracks, each at a different tempo (all in the key of G, so you can use your C harmonica). The tape or CD also includes how to practice with a metronome to improve your sense of rhythm.

CD/Tape #2

This is my "Learn How to Bend Notes" tape and CD. I have given all of the tricks and tips to help you bend notes that I have picked up in my years of teaching. Since I have taught a wide variety of students how to bend, this tape or CD has been particularly helpful to other beginners. There's hardly a problem I have not seen and overcome. It also includes an introduction to the blues scale, a number of different guitar jam tracks for practice, and tips on improvising and building solos. This tape or CD is also done in the Key of G, so you can use your trusty C harp with it. My partner recently gave this tape to his 15 year old son to try. He couldn't even get a decent note from draw 2 before listening to the tape. Within 15 minutes he was getting a full deep bend on hole 2 draw whenever he wanted to, and then moved this new skill to holes one, three, and four within minutes!

CD/Tape #3

This is the one I like to call "Hey, What Key Are We In?" I give you some review tips on cross harp and soloing, 15 guitar rhythm tracks in different keys with tips for finding the key, and an introduction to third position with some tips on finding the target notes and harp to use. The guitar rhythm tracks range from slow to fast in a whole variety of blues styles, and are played in the six most common keys used for blues music. I recommend John's famous harp kit for this one. Kit contains the 6 most often used harps and a chromatic pitch pipe to help find the keys. (See Harmonica “To Do List”).

CD/Tape #4

I designed this tape/CD, “Roadmap to the Blues”, with students in mind answering frequently asked questions like:

How do you play behind vocals?
What is 8 Bar Blues?
What is tongue blocking?
How to experiment with mics and amps.
How to get the Chicago Sound?

I also give advice on how to develop you own original sound. This tape/CD, like my other tapes and CDs, contains several guitar rhythm tracks so you can practice the material.

CD/Tape #5

My first Blues Guitar instruction tape/CD, “Blues Guitar Basics: Rhythm”, covers the fundamentals of good rhythm guitar playing, creating original rhythm patterns, and learning the standard 12 Bar Blues form.

CD/Tape #6

“Blues Guitar: Rhythm & Lead” continues where Tape/CD #5 leaves off, covering boogie woogie rhythm patterns and the blues scale. It is designed to promote original creativity, and develop a musical approach to basics.

CD/Tape #7

“Slide Guitar” covers slide technique in both G and D tuning and includes the basics of Chicago style slide and Delta slide technique, as found in Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Bukka White, and Furry Lewis.

CD/Tape #8

"Duets With Doug" (for harmonica)
I play the guitar, YOU play the harmonica! I've made a rhythm guitar tape and CD with 10 tracks to put harp players through the paces! Each track is at least 5 minutes long and is in the style of several classic blues. It is a real chance to work out your riffs. I have given you the guitar song key and the corresponding harp to use so you can dive right in! I suggest you listen to each track first to get the "feel" of the rhythm pattern to help you get an idea how you will play your solo. A must for beginners and intermediates! Great for advanced players who want to warm up before the gig!

The "Blues Harp Practice Tapes" sell for $11.95 each plus postage. The CDs go for $12.95 each. For an additional $5.00 I'll throw in a Frontier Harp in the Key of C - the perfect companion to the tapes! I recommend the Huang Frontier Harp for use with my Blues Harp practice CDs and Tapes. The Frontier Harp is an excellent beginners harp. It's inexpensive, the quality is decent, it is more airtight and the reeds are much easier to bend than other "entry level" harps I've tried. Let's face it, when you're learning to do bends, you don't need any added obstacles! If you would like a tape, a CD, and/or a harp, use this Order Form for CDs and Tapes.

Check out our Johnson Resonator Guitars! The next best thing to a National without the high cost! Click Here, then click "Resonators" on the left navigation menu.