Wanna come to a Harmonica Retreat in Hawaii with JP?
GOOD NEWS! I’ll be hosting a 5-day international harmonica retreat in my hometown of Kauai, Hawaii.
VOLCANO NEWS FLASH: If you want to come to Kauai, now is as good a time as any because the live volcano is having little to no effect on life here in Kauai (Kauai is the furthest island from the live volcano and Kauai hasn’t been live for over 1.4 million years).
LEVELS: These retreats are designed for beginners to advanced intermediate-level harmonica players.
LIMIT SEATING: I’m limiting these retreats to only 12 harmonica students because the small-sized classes will enable me to get to know you and to personally help you with your harmonica goals and challenges.
DATES:
2019 Winter: February 5 – 9 (SOLD OUT!)
2019 Winter: February 19 – 23 (SOLD OUT!)
2020 Winter: February 4 – 8 (ONLY 6 SPOTS REMAINING!)
Because my retreats can sell out fast, you can hold a spot if you want time to think about it. Just email Jessica and she’ll give you three days with no deposit or obligation. Also, if you want to be put on the waitlist for a retreat which is already sold out, you can email Jessica here: retreat@harmonica.com
Packages start at $1275 USD. (Click here for options.)
You can get a full refund at any time (prior to 45 days before the event). (Click here for details.)
What Is a Harmonica Retreat In Hawaii?
It’s a musical harmonica vacation that you will remember for the rest of your life … a time for resting, relaxing, basking in the beauty of Hawaii — and getting a whole lot better at playing the harmonica with a bluesy, soulful sound!
I’d love to share a bit of my life in Kauai with you and send you home with some great memories as well as a new-found confidence and enthusiasm for this awesome little instrument.
Where is the Retreat?
At the gorgeous Hotel Coral Reef, right on the ocean! Because this is the location of your classes, it’s also the ideal place for you to stay.
I’m pleased to say I’ve made arrangements for you to get a special discount at the Coral Reef Hotel. (Prices range from $129 to $189 per night depending on availability.) It always sells out, so make your reservation promptly. Their cancelation policy is extremely lenient, so, if you need to cancel you’ll get a full refund.
You’ll enjoy an ocean view and it’s right on the epic Kapaa bike path (with a short walk to many awesome restaurants and entertainment).
To get the special discount you will need to call the owner, Chris Blair, at (808) 822-4481, or email him at reservations@hotelcoralreefresort.com. Let him know you are one of my students and if you can afford an ocean-view room… Go for it!.
To check out the Coral Reef, visit www.hotelcoralreefresort.com.
If you’re willing to drive a bit, there are tons of options for places to stay! See “Where will you stay?” in the FAQ section below.
Ready to Upgrade Your Blues Mojo?
I’m going to show you how to sound bluesy and “play the blues” by using some simple techniques that aren’t too hard to do. Knowing how to confidently bend your notes is one of the cornerstones to blues harmonica. If you don’t already know how to bend, I won’t let you leave Hawaii until you can hit at least one if not all of the draw bends! 🙂
What will you learn?
If you find bending challenging, you’re going to experience a vast improvement before the retreat is over.
You’re going to:
- Develop your bluesy lead-harmonica skills.
- Master some of your favorite songs.
- Develop your ability to play by ear.
- Learn how to make that harmonica sound sweet and beautiful using some easy to learn hand positions and mouth techniques./li>
- Learn to jam and improvise when playing with other musicians. We’ll explore blues, country blues, rock, and the folk styles typified by musicians like Bob Dylan and Neil Young.
If you’ve got specific techniques or interests you want help with, we can cover these topics in your private lessons (if we don’t cover them in group classes).
If you want me to send you home with a clear, custom-designed training program to inspire you for months to come, just let me know. It would be my pleasure.
Here’s What Others Have Said:
"I learned everything I wanted to learn and more."
"JP, you changed my life more than you know."
"Jamming live together was a thrill."
"Experience of a lifetime."
"JP set up his harmonica retreat with great care and thoughtfulness. The vibe was great."
What are the Benefits of a Small & Intimate Retreat?
You’ll get MUCH more one-on-one attention from me than you would in a large retreat.
My last large retreat, in 2015, was a huge success. There were 23 students from four continents. But I felt a bit bummed because I wasn’t able to give people as much close-up guidance as I would have liked. (I’m not currently making any plans for another large retreat, but I may at some point.)
My first harmonica retreat back in 2011 was small. It was laid back, and I enjoyed getting to know every student. So, I’m going back to my roots! In this upcoming retreat, the group lessons will be custom tailored to your specific harmonica interests, and everyone who attends will receive a minimum of one private lesson from me.
How Good At Harmonica Do You Have To Be To Attend This Retreat?
The retreat will be tailored to beginners and advanced intermediate harmonica players. After you sign up, I will give you clear directions on how you can practice and prepare yourself for the retreat.
What If You’re An Advanced Harmonica Player?
If you consider yourself an advanced harmonica player, you’ll probably learn a few new things but this event may not be right for you. If you’re the type of person that likes to teach and gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping beginners and you want to come, let’s talk about it. (Email me at retreat@harmonica.com.)
How Will Your Days Be Structured?
This retreat is structured so you’ll have a nice balance between harmonica fun and time to relax and check out the gorgeous island of Kauai.
If you’re looking for an experience in which you play harmonica all day every day, this is probably not the right event for you. Students consistently report that the balance between harmonica time and free time is just right because it keeps them from getting overwhelmed and offers plenty of time to enjoy Hawaii.
On three of the evenings, you’ll be done with classes by 5:00 p.m., and on two mornings, you won’t start till 2:00 p.m., so you’ll definitely have time to go to the beach, take a hike, get a massage, or check out local music performances and Hawaiian entertainment.
The cool thing is that if you’re bringing a guest, you’ll have ample time to hang out with them, go out to dinner and share the experience of being in Kauai. Kauai’s massive white-sand beaches, canyons, waterfalls, and lush tropical mountains will blow your mind.
If you’re coming alone and you would prefer to play harmonica “all day, every day”, just let me know in advance and I will give you a rigorous practice routine you can stick to during your free time.
What Happens When You Sign Up?
Once you have registered, our retreat coordinator, Jessica, will be emailing you to “dial in” the details. You can email her anytime at retreat@harmonica.com if you have any questions or concerns (or call her cell phone at 808-631-9353).
Breath and Meditation Exercises
I’ll be offering supplementary breath and meditation techniques which will help you relax, benefit your health, and massively improve your harmonica chops.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
As with all of Harmonica.com’s offerings, you get a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If, on the final day of the event, you do not feel this retreat has prepared you to take your harmonica playing to the next level (and given you wonderful memories that will last a lifetime), you can request a refund and get your money back (This has never happened but I want you to have the reassurance that you’re going to have an awesome experience.) You will need to attend a minimum of 80% of your classes to exercise this option.
Wanna Play On Stage With Me?
On the final evening of the retreat, we’re all going to perform together live, as one big harmonica band at a beginner-friendly restaurant. After we blow the roof off the house together, we’ll celebrate and I’ll treat you to dinner at this super cool, ocean-view restaurant.
Of course, if you don’t want to perform, you don’t have to. You can also request a minor role in the performance… no pressure… it’s totally optional. But playing together with a big harmonica band is a fun and low-pressure way to break the ice and get up on stage. (It’s your choice and you can decide when you get here.)
Refund Policy
- You can cancel any time for any reason up to 45 days prior to the event to get a 100% refund.
- If a retreat is more than six months from now and you’re still not one hundred percent sure you can come, feel free to purchase your spot and then cancel. This will ensure you don’t lose your spot while you’re working out the details. We trust you will exercise this option responsibly.
- If you choose to cancel after the terms indicated above, you will only get a refund if we can find another student to take your spot. We can’t promise, but there’s a reasonably good chance we will find another student from the waitlist. If we find another student to take your spot, you will get a full refund. (This policy is due to the small size of these retreats.)
What Does It Cost And What Do You Get?
The Silver Package Includes:
- THREE GROUP LESSONS EVERY DAY WITH JP: You’ll receive three 50-minute group sessions every day with me and the other students in the retreat.
- ONE 50-MINUTE PRIVATE LESSON WITH JP: You’ll get one 50-minute private lesson with me. I’ll help you with bending and other techniques, and you can select a song or blues solo that you’re stoked to learn.
- TWO SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS WITH JP: In addition to your private lesson, you’ll also receive two 55-minute semi-private lessons. Because your semi-private lesson will contain only 1 or 2 other students, I will be able to give you focused attention on whatever you need help with.
- A PRIVATE IN-HOUSE DRESS REHEARSAL WITH A LOCAL HAWAIIAN-STYLE PERFORMER: On the third evening of the event, you’ll have the option to perform at a private in-house dress rehearsal with one of Kauai’s best and brightest musicians.
- ONE PRIVATE LESSON WITH A PRO GUITAR PLAYER: You’ll receive a 30-minute private lesson with a professional guitar player to help you prepare for your final performance.
- FINAL PERFORMANCE ON-STAGE: On the final evening, I’ll treat you to dinner and you’ll get to perform with me and the other harmonica students at one of the coolest night clubs in town. (Performing on stage is optional but I’m optimistic you’ll crush it!)
- AND FOR GOOD MEASURE: You’ll get both of my original music CDs, personally autographed to you.
$1275 USD: SILVER ~ Click to Reserve
(If you would prefer a payment plan, email Jessica at retreat@harmonica.com)
The Gold Package Includes:
You’ll get everything in the Silver package above PLUS:
- ONE PRE-RETREAT 50-MINUTE PRIVATE SKYPE OR PHONE LESSON WITH JP: You’ll get one 50-minute Skype or phone lesson with me approximately two months prior to your harmonica retreat. In addition to sharing your goals and telling me where you want help, I’ll also give you a fun pre-retreat practice routine to ensure you’ll get the most out of our time together in Hawaii.
- ONE PERSONALIZED 45-MINUTE PLAY ALONG VIDEO: Less than six weeks after the retreat is completed, it will be my pleasure to make you your own personalized play-along video. After our time together in Hawaii, I will have crystal clear knowledge of your strengths, weaknesses, and how I can best help you achieve your goals. You can expect your personalized video to be fun, inspiring and to help you stay focused and committed to your harmonica practice time over the months to come.
$1950 USD: GOLD ~ Click to Reserve
(If you would prefer a payment plan, email Jessica at retreat@harmonica.com)
Need Time To Think About This Big Adventure?
If you want to hold a spot for three days with no deposit or obligation necessary, simply email Jessica at retreat@harmonica.com.
You can also call Jessica’s cell phone at any time if you have any questions or concerns: (808) 631-9353.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Click Here)
How good at harmonica do you need to be?
- The retreat will be tailored to beginners and intermediate harmonica players.
- You’re going to learn a lot of blues, single notes, bending, hand techniques, and I will help you select a song that you’re stoked to learn.
- I recommend you complete a minimum of 50% of my Happy Harpin’ video lessons prior to coming but if you don’t, no worries. (I’ve actually had one student who never played before coming to the retreat and he did awesomely. I didn’t slow down the classes for him but I always gave him something he could do to keep up.)
How do private lessons work?
- Easy. You call the shots. You can focus the lesson on whatever you want to learn.
- I’ll show you how you can learn any techniques you’re having difficulties with. (For example, single notes, bending, hand techniques, etc.)
- If you want to work on a song you love, great!
- Your time slot will be assigned when you arrive.
Where do classes take place?
- 30 yards from the ocean at the Hotel Coral Reef on the gorgeous island of Kauai.
Where will you stay?
- I recommend you stay in the Hotel Coral Reef, which is where your lessons will take place.
- It’s right on the bike path and walking distance to awesome restaurants and entertainment.
- Gorgeous view, ocean breezes… heaven.
- It’s a small, high-end, locally-owned hotel, and it sells out quick so don’t hesitate in making your reservation. (If you can afford an ocean-view room… Go for it!)
- In addition, I made arrangements for you to get a special discount.
- Contact the owner, Chris, ASAP before he sells out (reservations@hotelcoralreefresort.com or phone: (808) 822-4481).
- For more info see www.hotelcoralreefresort.com.
OTHER OPTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
- To check out a list of places you could stay that are close to the Hotel Coral Reef see Google Maps by clicking here: https://goo.gl/43g1Ng
- For a broad list of options, you can search Kauai County, Hawaii on airbnb.com or vrbo.com.
If you like to drive, there are tons of options!!!
- Hale Kai Kalani/Twin Hearts Vacation Rentals – Bruce Fehring: 808-346-0356 |inquiries@vacation-rental-kauai.com | www.vacation-rental-kauai.com/halekaikalani.htm | www.vacation-rental-kauai.com/twinhearts.htm. 4230 Wailapa Road, Kilauea, HI.
- Green Acres Cottages – Tony & Diane Tran: 866-484-6347 | gacottages@gmail.com | www.greenacrescottages.com/| 5-0421-C Kuhio Highway, Kilauea, HI 96754 Estimated Pricing: Gazebo Cottage=$68.50/night ($75 less 10% discount for weekly rate).
- Retreat Center at Hale Luana – Hilary Ferris: 808-346-3001 | hferris@me.com | 4670 Kapuna Rd. Kilauea, HI 96754.
- Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas – 808-827-8700 | Central Reservations: 866-837-4254 | http://www.westinprinceville.com/ 3838 Wyllie Road, Princeville, HI 96722 United States. (A travel agent mentioned: this should be about $1350 less than the St. Regis. It’s a timeshare, with a small kitchen in the room. No beach.)
- Hanalei Bay Resort – 808-826-6522 CentralReservations@GrandPacificResorts.com | www.hanaleibayresort.com. 5380 Honoiki Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96722.
- St Regis Princeville Resort – 808-826-9644 | Central Reservations: 866.716.8140 | www.stregisprinceville.com/contact-us/. 5520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kaua’i, HI 96722.
- Kauai Shores Hotel 808-822-4951 | hhr@hawaiihotels.com |http://www.kauaishoreshotel.com/. 420 Papaloa Road, Kapaa, HI 96746 (14.4 miles south of our retreat venue, 6.3 miles north of the Lihue airport).
- Aston Islander – 877-997-6667 | http://www.astonislander.com |440 Aleka Place Kapaa, HI 96746.
- So Cal Hot Properties: – 949-229-3085 | www.socalhotproperties.com. Search or ask for properties near Kapaa.
- ECONOMY OPTIONS: There are also two hostels in Kapaa that are also walking distance from the Hotel Coral Reef. For hostels see: https://goo.gl/qoPncg.
Are meals provided?
- Meals are not provided but there are plenty of options within just walking distance from the Retreat.
- To see a list of restaurants on Google Maps, see: https://goo.gl/HkBl6M
Which airport should you fly into?
- The Lihue International Airport (LIH) in Kauai.
- I recommend you book your flights as soon as possible due to Hawaii’s popularity as a travel destination.
- I recommend you rent a car if possible but you can also take a taxi or bus.
- For a list of taxi options on Google, see this link: https://goo.gl/rRv8pL
What is the refund policy?
- You can cancel 45 days prior to the event for a 100% refund.
- If you choose to cancel after the terms indicated above, you will only get a refund if we can find another student to take your spot. We can’t promise, but there’s a reasonably good chance we will find another student from the waitlist. If we find another student to take your spot, you will get a full refund. (This policy is due to the small size of these retreats.)
Which harmonicas (and other stuff) should you bring?
For this retreat, only four harmonicas are REQUIRED. You can get them from us or save a buck and get them from Amazon. (Sorry, Amazon is impossible for us to compete with.)
- One “A Harmonic Minor” Harmonica – I recommend Lee Oscar (CLICK HERE to get one on Amazon).
- Three Major Harmonicas – You’ll need the keys of A, C and D. I recommend the Hohner Special 20 or the Hohner Crossover.
- Not necessary – chromatic harmonica: I don’t play the chromatic harmonica, so we won’t be using it.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU BRING?
- IMPORTANT: A digital recorder of any kind. (Your smartphone is fine.) You are encouraged to record group lessons and private lesson(s) if you want.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sun block.
- Bandages and antibiotic cream: If you get a cut, staph infections are very common in Hawaii due to humidity.
- Clothing – a few suggestions:
- Lightweight rain jacket.
- Thong sandals – a lot of people in Hawaii like to wear “slippers”.
- A sun hat.
- A bathing suit if you choose to swim.
Who can you talk to about any special needs or requests?
- Jessica will give you speedy email responses to any logistical questions you might have (or she will forward your message to me). You can email her anytime at retreat@harmonica.com (or call her cell phone at 808-631-9353).
P.S. For many years, I worked as a life coach, so it would be my pleasure to help you cultivate your enthusiasm for doing what you love.
P.P.S. If you can’t make it to beautiful Hawaii, I’m sure you’ll love my Harmonica Home Study Course. Click here to check out my “World’s Favorite Harmonica Home Study Course”.
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