Apoorva Bhatt
Apoorva Bhatt is one of the only players who play harmonica songs with their preludes and interludes, covering complete songs with about 99% accuracy. Family folklore says he was handed an old harmonica as a toddler and has played ever since. He spends much of his time playing and encouraging others to learn and build expertise.
He was earlier a trustee of the Harmonica Club of Gujarat and is now an active player with Harmonica Amateurs in Vadodara.
Philosophy
Once a player reaches a certain competence, complete songs can be played without backing tracks. Steady practice makes playing along with karaoke tracks easy. Practice videos are on YouTube.
Techniques
He introduced the vibration-style “mandolin effect” and the “train effect” on harmonica, and can cover the full note range of a song’s original orchestra, limited only by the instrument.
Specialty
Fast, difficult preludes and interludes, especially when another player takes the lead.
Inspiration
He reveres the late Mohammed Rafi as his “spiritual music coach”, though they never met, and sees Rafi’s music as a lasting source of inspiration.
Instrument
He prefers the Larry Adler 12 model.
Course team
The Learn Harmonica course is run by Apoorva Bhatt and Jayant Hudar. Jayant looks after enrolment and enquiries from the Navi Mumbai office.
Visitor comments
Praised the page and sent kind words.
Dr A K Pal · December 20, 2020
Said the page is heartfelt, hard to put into words, and offered a respectful “Pranaam.”
Bhatt V S · February 7, 2021
Which Harmonica to BUY?
The standard choice for most Hindi film songs is a 12-hole, 3-octave, chromatic (with slider) harmonica in scale C.
- Will a diatonic harmonica do?
- Not really. A diatonic (no slider) harmonica cannot play every song correctly.
- Is a 16-hole better than a 12-hole?
- No. 12 holes cover about 95% of Hindi film songs; the extra four holes are lower-octave notes mostly used for chords. Beginners also find 12 holes easier to handle.
- Can I use a 24-hole “Tower” model?
- You can play songs on it, but it is usually a toy-grade instrument. A 12-hole chromatic in C is better for learning.
- Which brands?
- German or Japanese makers: Hohner (German, approx. Rs 10–13K), Suzuki SCX-48 (Japanese, approx. Rs 12–14K), Seydel (German, approx. Rs 12–14K). Course members get help choosing an instrument.
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