Mass music lesson to give Cambridge residents the chance to learn the harmonica for free

Millers Music is holding the lesson next month which could see hundreds of people learn to play the harmonica under the guidance of Cambridge's own 'harmonica genius', Steve Lockwood.

On Saturday, March 17, organisers of the Harmonica Playathon will handing out free instruments at the Cambridge Corn Exchange as part of National Learn to Play Day – an initiative that provides free music lessons across the country.

Simon Pollard, owner of Millers Music in Sussex Street, Cambridge, told the Cambridge Independent: “There are huge benefits to playing a musical instrument, whether it be academic, whether it be health, whether it be just general welfare.

“We’ve thrown out this event to mums, dads, children, grandparents... They need to sign up on our website, come down to the Corn Exchange and Steve is going to give a taster session.

“The harmonica is an incredibly accessible instrument and we want as many people down the Corn Exchange as we can – we want to fill it.”

Steve added: “I started in Cambridge but I don’t get the chance to play there very often – probably once a year, if that. Most of my work is abroad, whether that be Hollywood film sessions, or adverts on TV or people’s albums.”

Steve explained what it is that’s always appealed to him about the harmonica: “It’s the range – the various different types of music that it can play.

“It’s not just traditional in folk and blues music, it also goes into jazz and classical and all music in between. I was doing a Lebanese Christmas music CD last year.”

The Harmonica Playathon takes place on Saturday, March 17 from 11am at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

Visit millersmusic.co.uk/learn-to-play to register.