Live Harmonica Instruction
Workshops and Custom Events
Joe is an excellent instructor in all venues. He has been teaching at a very high level, privately, for groups large and small, for children and adults, from week long workshops to 20-minute workshops, from those who “never-ever-held-a-harp” to professionals, in parks, libraries, and on stages. Joe is the teacher's teacher!
The Ice-Breaker!
For ice-breakers for corporate conventions, mini-sessions for fundraisers, and large groups with little time, Joe gets amazing results. Wonderful to see and hear!
Workshops and Festivals where Joe has taught and performed
Blown Away on the Bayou
The Bayou Harmonica/Blues Summit invites participants to join either full-time or part-time for a variety of classes, seminars, live music, and dancing. This annual event features renowned musicians and instructors from Louisiana and beyond. Blues instruction for all skill levels in harmonica, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, vocal, and accordion. Returning Fall 2026!
Harmonica Northwest
Kim Field is the Director of this long weekend of all things harmonica—world-class instructors, classes, jams, and a concert, too. Learn More
Harmonica Master’s Workshop Trossingen, Germany
Harmonica Master's Workshop is the best opportunity to study with Joe outside the US. As an extra bonus, you will get the experience of seeing him in concert and also the the benefit of experiencing David Barrett, Steve Baker, Eric Noden and others. This event often attracts over 100 participants from as many as 5 continents. The great Steve Baker and the Hohner Konvervatoriam are the main moving forces behind this event, which is held in the most historically significant harmonica town in the known world – Harmonika Mecca! A visit to Trossingen is a must for every serious harp player!
Augusta Festival in Elkins, West Virginia
You will often find Joe and Eric teaching during the yearly Blues Week held mid July. This festival is held in the hills of beautiful West Virginia. Kind of an adult music summer camp with nice workshops and numerous opportunities for jamming and hanging out ’till the wee hours. There are usually at least three harmonica teachers. Past instructors have included Phil Wiggins, Gary Primich, Grant Dermody, Andrew Alli, Mark Wenner, Gary Allegretto, and many others. See the Augusta website for details.
SPAH Festival (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica)
Joe does hold seminars but is mostly known for the afternoon harmonica teach-ins and late night acoustic blues jams that he organizes. Tremendous opportunity to meet and hang with highly accomplished players from many countries across the world. See the Mission Statement for the Filisko Teach-In on this site. SPAH holds Harmonica Conventions are held at various locations.
Euro Blues Northampton, UK
A major teaching festival in the UK that focuses on traditional blues and all of the instruments associated. The success of this annual event is due to the labors of Michael Roach, who consistently hires the best blues teachers in the world and features brilliant concerts. Joe and Eric Noden will be teaching and performing there again in 2026. Visit EuroBlues
David Barrett’s Harmonica Masterclass
Joe’s most in-depth workshops in the continental US have been presented in conjunction with the Harmonica Masterclass. Watch itinerary for upcoming dates. Be sure to check out www.bluesharmonica.com to see many videos of Joe’s lessons online. Joe, who considers David Barrett to be the World’s Best Harmonica teacher, works his hardest at this event just trying to keep up with him. Also, this is the best opportunity to study the country blues traditions with Joe. The classes he designs for the Masterclass are always his best.
The West US
The Kerrville Folk Festival is held each spring in Kerrville, Texas. It is a organized by Texas music legend Rob Roy Parnell, and has featured the talents of Rob Roy and numerous others. The even happens yearly in late May, early June.
Centrum’s Country Blues Workshop
Joe has participated in this Port Townsend, Washington Acoustic Blues gathering. The Workshop lasts for about 5 days with world class players, workshops, jamming and concerts.
Back in Germany
World Harmonica Festival - Trossingen, Germany
Best opportunity to meet players from the corners of the world, see evening concerts, attend workshops, enter competition, participate in jam sessions, see the Hohner factory and Harmonica Museum. Harmonica heaven for the fanatics of the world only scheduled every 4 years. players, workshops, jamming and concerts.
Die Schorndorfer Gitarrentage Germany
A great opportunity to study blues harmonica in Schorndorfer, Germany. This festival is about 5 days long, has other musicians attending and is similar to the Augusta Blues Week held in West Virginia. The harmonica part of this festival is the mainly the fruits of the labor of the late Masen Dabbag.
Paramount Blues Festival Grafton, Wisconsin
Sponsored by the Grafton Blues Association in connection with the historical Paramount Records. One weekend in September with Concert and workshop stages. Joe teaches at this Festival regularly.
Hawaiian Harmonica Retreat, Hawaii
This event based on the island of Kauai is the work of JP Allen and happens in February. He has brought together an amazing variety of teachers and performers to do their magic for 5 days. Learn more about JP at Harmonica.com.
Other venues of note
This Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation hosts weekly jams, and periodic workshops and concerts. Joe and Eric Noden have been featured when they have been in the DC area.
Blast Furnace Blues Festival, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, hosts many events and tours.
Les Harmonicales Condat, France - Joe and Eric Noden were extremely pleased to make three appearances to teach and perform near Limoges, France, at a memorable event that brings in players and participants from across Europe.