Rift
11 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:33 AM
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I have a 30 min commute to and from work everyday. I always have a harp in my truck that I like to play, mostly on the way home but sometimes in the morning. I don't have a great memory for complete song tabs and only have a few songs I can play without looking at the music (sad but true). I sometimes practice scales, chugging, random riffs. Anyone else play in the car/truck? Any ideas on something new I can try?
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toddlgreene
2084 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:44 AM
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I've been playing since 1989-90. I picked up the harp fairly quickly-and I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I could play it anywhere, especially the car. What to play? Anything & everything. Try playing along with different kinds of music-not just blues. You'll get much more use out of experimentation with the harp in your mouth(also the ear training that results from this)than you ever will just following tab. Discover the versatility of the the instrument, and become familiar with its limitations. You'll quickly discover you need several keys to play along with music, but instead of letting that be a setback, listen to music, and pay attention to the melody. Now, turn the music off and try to play those melodies on your harp, paying no attention to what key you are in;just concentrate on mimicking the melody.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2010 5:50 AM
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Rift
12 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:52 AM
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Thanks Todd, I have been playing for a short while and have multiple keys. Normally I keep a A or C in my truck. Its not a problem of being able to play it, I guess its more of me being able to memorizing songs that I have to work on. And yes I do like all types of music but I havent found my niche yet. dont know if I ever will but I am having a fun time trying.
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AirMojo
28 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:53 AM
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Its always great practice to play songs you are familiar with... they don't have to be actual "blues" songs. These kind of songs have been stuck in your head probably since you were little.
You can always improvise by adding licks that fit.
I also keep smart playlists on my iPod that gives me songs in specific keys (I enter this information in the iTunes Music Info Comment section). So if you have an A harp handy, its easy to get those songs up on your ipod to play along with. I use a "TransPod" with my iPod in my truck.
For example, "You Are My Sunshine". Most everbody recognizes this song (I would hope!). Sometimes, I like to start it off by playing Norton Buffalo's intro to "Walkin Down to Suzie's".
"Ode to Billy Joe", another familiar song... JJ Milteaus's version of this song will give you lots of ideas.
"500 Miles", a classic old folk song... I recently discovered "The Hooters" version of this song, and its great to play along with.
Christmas is coming up, so try playing some familiar Christmas songs. I usually get pretty good at some of them, and find myself still playing them after Christmas and New Years are over.
My wife often wonders about me...
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AW
52 posts
Nov 10, 2010
6:21 AM
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If you have a CD player or ability to listen to an mp3 player, make a playlist or burn a CD of jam tracks all in the same key (or maybe just the keys of the positions you can play) I haven't tried the different positions, but I'll take along a Jams in E or G CD to play along.
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steve j.
36 posts
Nov 10, 2010
6:42 AM
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Wow ! Its nice to see you folks pucker string isnt as tight as another forum I posted a video ,,, where I was driving playing Jesu Joy.. of Man....
They wanted to roast me for being a dangerous ,fool for playing harp while driving, and yes , I had my little vid camera wqich is a Flip ,, and I had just set it in the seat and turned it on.
Heck I have 40 open minutes to play in the car ,, at least everyday. I got Gussows jam track ,,, Everything Harmonica, and I play along try to have fun & learn a bit as I go. I dont get road rage either ,,, cause Im enjoying myself ,, even when some people around me are driving like morons
Steve
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Various Musical ramblings
http://www.youtube.com/user/sjeter61?feature=mhum
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chromaticblues
274 posts
Nov 10, 2010
6:48 AM
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I think if you learn chording patterns from old blues harp players (ALA Joe Filisko) you'll get great ideas. Play a chording thing to keep time then do whatever you know to that time and go back to chord pattern. It helps with your timing and you'll explore the harp and find new things! Don't always practice to other harmonica music. You'll never learn how to improvise. I use to keep time with windshield wipers, blinkers, road noise, my wife helling at the kids! Anything. Ofcourse I'm not allowed to bring harmonicas in the car anymore! But I had a good run!
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OG
5 posts
Nov 10, 2010
6:50 AM
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I use a sansa clip mp3 player loaded with jam tracks mostly from Harmonicaboogie.com and from Kompoz.com. You can find tracks to jam with in keys that you have or you can use software (Audacity is free) to convert mp3 to another key - up or down one or two.
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eebadeeb
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Rift
13 posts
Nov 10, 2010
7:27 AM
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OK, I am convinced I need to get some jam tracks now. I am glad I am not the only one who drives and plays. Maybe we should get a special bumper sticker or something so we can identify other players on the road. Some cryptic symbol like the masons....
@steve j - I agree, you are crazy to video tape yourself playing and driving at the same time. The difference with me is I like crazy! I will never roast anyone for having fun.
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OG
6 posts
Nov 10, 2010
8:15 AM
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I get no road rage and I don't fall asleep at the wheel, which I would do if I wasn't jamming. Love that bumper sticker idea. Hope somebody here comes up with a design.
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eebadeeb
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jaymcc28
312 posts
Nov 10, 2010
10:23 AM
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I play when driving quite often. I think it has really taught me how to play by ear. I have a small Sansa Fuze MP3 player loaded with blues and other tunes I like to play with. Since I can't (or wouldn't) glance down at any music or tab sheets I just keep replaying small passages and try to figure out what is being played.
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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Huachiman
1 post
Nov 10, 2010
10:23 AM
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I would get Gussow's YouTube lessons on mp3 to go through. There is so much good stuff it is unbelievable! There are so many riffs to learn from. I actually look forward to my lonely commute every day.
Even better, I have a digital recorder from Tascam that allows me to slow down the riff and also loop it over and over again. Then I'll go bar by bar through the song learns each lick. I'm still making it through Gussow.010 - the "Not a Shuffle" song, but the song will start to live inside of you as opposed to getting the tab. By putting in the sweat equity you will become a much better player and will have a better ear.
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Jim Rumbaugh
333 posts
Nov 10, 2010
10:44 AM
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I say: The only dangerous harmonica player behind the wheel are those chromatic players when they hit the slide ;-)
( I have a jam track I use for my C harp, G tunes for cross, Dminor for 3rd position, Eminor for 5th position. And maybe an Aminor for 4th )
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intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
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lumpy wafflesquirt
263 posts
Nov 10, 2010
10:50 AM
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If you have an automatic gear car [more common in US than here in UK] you could rig up the foot drum as well.
If you set the cruise control you can use the right foot for the pedal board. If you use one of those PC document holder rigged up to dashboard you can put the tabs on it.
who needs to concentrate on the driving.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2010 10:51 AM
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toddlgreene
2092 posts
Nov 10, 2010
10:58 AM
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"officer, the last thing I heard before that car slammed into me was an overblow on the 6 hole"
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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Honkin On Bobo
493 posts
Nov 10, 2010
11:53 AM
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"If you have an automatic gear car [more common in US than here in UK] you could rig up the foot drum as well.
If you set the cruise control you can use the right foot for the pedal board. If you use one of those PC document holder rigged up to dashboard you can put the tabs on it.
who needs to concentrate on the driving."
At the risk of steve j. accusing me of having a tight pucker string, I am the only person who thinks the above is a BAD idea?
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lumpy wafflesquirt
264 posts
Nov 10, 2010
12:48 PM
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@honkin on bobo
I found when typing that post that it is also difficult to play with you tongue in your cheek :^)
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Honkin On Bobo
495 posts
Nov 10, 2010
1:01 PM
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You had me Lump....hook, line and sinker. The PC document holder was a dead giveaway...I mean... what self respecting blues harpplayer would own a PC document holder?
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2010 1:05 PM
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Harpengr
8 posts
Nov 10, 2010
3:30 PM
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Lots of people are great believers in scales. Scales get boring but try "Do a deer a female deer..." in all three octaves. All keys, different positions..
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RyanMortos
891 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:03 PM
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Good thread. I have an hour commute to and from work & if I could come up with simple stuff to work on while focusing on driving that would rock! The jam tracks thing sounds like a good idea, also imitating any music, I find chugging quite easy to do as well as technique stuff like vibrato, tongue slaps, messing around with memorized scales. Obviously while driving the goal is to keep my mind on the road. My ear isn't to the point where I can pick an A-note or whatever when I hear it but I can play around and get near what I'm hearing. Another thing I found isn't hard to do while driving is turn on blues and count along with 12bars/8bars etc.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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BronzeWailer
27 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:15 PM
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I'm only allowed to play at red lights when my wife is in the car. I thinking driving could be the ideal time to practice the Rick Estrin 'hands free' trick, although it is far beyond my abilities. I do worry about what would happen in case of accident too. I suspect it wouldn't be just my teeth in need of serious medical attention.
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2010 5:15 PM
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Leanground
121 posts
Nov 10, 2010
5:57 PM
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I drive a 95 Jeep. I play constantly while driving to the tune that's in my head.
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garry
11 posts
Nov 11, 2010
8:06 PM
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practice your breath control. play one long note for as long as you can. when you get to the point that it lasts for your 30 minute commute, i'd say you've got it.
then add vibrato.
:-)
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didjcripey
6 posts
Nov 11, 2010
8:23 PM
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Yeah, depends on the conditions; playing harp in heavy traffic is probably not the smartest thing to do, but on country roads or no traffic it shouldn't be a problem, as long as you don't want to do your wah's with both hands on the harp and you don't get too excited, closing your eyes as you go off on a blistering solo.
'Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel', at least one anyway.
I play whatever I'm working on at the time, and am aware that in Australia at least it would be a traffic offence if the bulliman caught you:'Driving without due care and attention' would be the charge and it would mean loss of points and a big fine.
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Lucky Lester
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diletto
22 posts
Nov 11, 2010
8:41 PM
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as a taxidriver I use the time of waiting and time of empty rides for practicing all those things that would be a torture for listeners...at present I´m still in search of the 6OB -it´s getting better day after day, but listeners would surely beat me up :lol:
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Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life.
(Jean Paul)
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