minidaz
19 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:30 AM
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Okay, so i know it's not that big a deal, especially to those that have been playing a while, but i've pretty much got Oh Suzannah without looking at the tab sheet :o)
My plan to set aside proper time for practice hasn't really worked, so i've been trying to do about 10 - 15 mins each day.
I found Adams raw beginner vid very good, and the tab sheet is very easy to follow. My single notes mostly stay single, although at times the others do creep in, but i guess that's what practice is for :o)
Planning on a bit more Oh Suzannah and then going to get the next few vids and work my way through those.
Daz
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Kingley
706 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:35 AM
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Congratulations!
From small acorns grow mighty oaks.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
425 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:36 AM
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that song is a must for every beginner or anybody that plays harmonica has to know it.Lol its on every harp pamplet there is,Ironically i had been playing 6 months before I went and learned it.So i can see where it would make you very proud minidaz its a major stepping stone in the beginning for sure.congrats
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tookatooka
1076 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:41 AM
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Well done minidaz. It's really good to get some of those well known tunes under your belt. They certainly help with your single note playing and help you to find your way around the harp.
You'll be amazed how much progress you've made after a short while. Keep it up. Jagger may retire soon and we're banking on you to fill in for him :)
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Luke Juke
86 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:46 AM
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Yep.Well done minidaz. You'll be amazed at how addictive playing harp can be.
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eharp
458 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:49 AM
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i would suggest learning 2 other songs in addition to oh suzannah;
taps (easy song and great for campfires)
happy birthday (i've played this 2 times in a resteraunt and both have earned me a free meal!!)
good luck on your journey. and dont forget to just doodle around on the harp for fun w/o it being "practice".
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HarmonicaMick
49 posts
Jan 26, 2010
10:00 AM
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minidaz,
Whatever you do, don't worry about perfecting one piece before moving on to the next. Keep a few on simmer, and, as you progress, the earlier ones will get better over time.
Bear in mind that at any given stage in your playing, you're going to be repeating the same techniques. Just spread them out on different pieces. Otherwise, that 'I'm going stale' feeling can easily creep in. And that really can sap your playing.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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toddlgreene
600 posts
Jan 26, 2010
10:21 AM
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Cool first accomplishment! Now you're ready for Flight of the Bumblebee! ;-)
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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walterharp
200 posts
Jan 26, 2010
10:27 AM
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way to go!
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minidaz
20 posts
Jan 26, 2010
10:34 AM
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Thanks for all the comments :o)
It's surprising how good it feels to be able to play a tune, even a simple one.
I find that when i try too hard it just doesn't work, but when i just chill out and go with it, the tune just follows.
eharp : Anything that might get free food has got to be worth a try :o)
Daz
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The7thDave
22 posts
Jan 26, 2010
11:01 AM
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Daz,
Excellent! I've only been playing for a year, and that was one of my first songs, too. "Red River Valley" is another good song for raw beginners--no bends required (if you play it in first position).
Check out Harptabs.com when you feel like trying your hand at some other familiar tunes.
--Dave
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isaacullah
615 posts
Jan 26, 2010
11:25 AM
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Congrats minidaz! I remember the joy I felt when I could play my first song without the tabs (it was bethoven's 9th). It's a great feeling. The next greatest feeling was when I could play a song I actually liked without looking at the tabs (Redemption Song). That felt better! Then I remember when I first played something that actually sounded bluesy and used bends (some of Adam's stuff from his YT videos. Number 10, perhaps?). Now my greatest moments of harp joy are when I come up with a new song that really gets me going....
Anyway, my point is that there will be several such moments as you progress, and so remember the feeling that you've gotten with this one, as it will serve as a great motivation whilst striving for the next!
Congrats again!
~Isaac
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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nacoran
882 posts
Jan 26, 2010
6:08 PM
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Congrats!
After a long thread on the origins of lyrics I've bumped a few standards off my favorites list, so thanks to Isaac I have to learn new standards. I've played "Blowin' in the Wind" and the ladies seem to love it! (OK, one lady, but she was really cute.) Didn't George Thurogood have a song, "One Wallflowers; One Beatles; one Jon Mayer?"
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Ryan
82 posts
Jan 26, 2010
11:55 PM
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"Now you're ready for Flight of the Bumblebee! ;-)"
It'd be "interesting" if someone could pull that off on diatonic. Although it would be a huge waste of time. While I suppose it would be technically possible, I don't think it would be possible to ever make it sound good/musical. It would never be anything more than a parlor trick(granted a very difficult one).
I know you were joking, it's just something I remember thinking about when I first learned to play the chromatic scale on the diatonic. It's definately one of those things that if you must play it on a harmonica, it should be done on a chromatic(which is difficult enough as it is). Sorry to get off topic.
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Ryan
83 posts
Jan 27, 2010
12:04 AM
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I think Oh Suzanna was also the first song I learned. I definately remember playing it over and over again to the point that it drove the people I lived with crazy. It wasn't that I particularly liked the song, I think I was just excited that I 'd learned a song and was able to play it with out too much difficulty. I'd play it over and over trying to see just how fast I could play it without messing up.
I had this little book that had around 6 or 7 first position folk songs(that's as advanced as it got, no bending). I remember my favorite was My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, I don't really know why. I also kind of liked playing the Yellow Rose of Texas.
Last Edited by on Jan 27, 2010 12:11 AM
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congaron
466 posts
Jan 27, 2010
8:35 AM
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Try "the star spangled banner" sometime. It's also tricky and cool to try in different spots on the harp.
Good job!
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nacoran
887 posts
Jan 27, 2010
11:18 AM
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Congaron- How do you fit 'Star Spangled Banner' on more than one spot on the harmonica? When I play it it takes up just about the whole thing!
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