SPANKY
1 post
Feb 25, 2009
7:39 AM
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hi everyone ,new here. i was wondering if i'm the only odd person here that practices in odd places. me i get most of my practice sitting in a caterpillar 980 payloader @ work in between moves . sometimes i even play for the guys at work over the cb radio. it must not be too horrible ,because i occasionally here someone over the radio say ,"hey rich play me some blues".i also get practice in my car .sometimes w/ a rack sometimes w/ my knees on the steeringwheel or sometimes with just one hand. i get a kick outta of the strange looks people give me with the rack on.
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Grillslinger
19 posts
Feb 25, 2009
10:22 AM
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I practice in the car during the day(parked) and my wife has the wonderful talent of blocking out my harp playing, so i can also practice at home without bothering her.
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Jim Rumbaugh
4 posts
Feb 25, 2009
10:25 AM
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For me it's driving one handed, 10 minutes each way to and from work. And every time I fill up the gas tank. Yes, I get some looks, sometimes a complement, but pumping those dollars into the tank sure puts you in the mood for the blues.
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Preston
156 posts
Feb 25, 2009
12:39 PM
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Unfortunately, mine is the truck as well. At the bare minimum I get in 20 minutes of woodshedding a day. It used to be a lot more before my daughter was born. I would come home from work and play harp until it was time for bed. Now the little girl runs the house and I've been confined to drive time woodshedding.
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GermanHarpist
102 posts
Feb 25, 2009
4:15 PM
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nope, straight forward couch potato.
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http://www.youtube.com/germanharpist
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Hollistonharper
18 posts
Feb 25, 2009
4:46 PM
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Morning and evening commute I'm playing one handed driving to/from the train station. Leave work for the evening commmute home, I stand at the far end of the train platform at Back Bay station and woodshed until the train arrives, delighting homeless people, lovers,
smokers, and lost souls of all stripes.
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Steve Harvell
20 posts
Feb 25, 2009
5:32 PM
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You guys crack me up,especially Hollistonharper 1 I too play while I am driving to and from work (20 minutes each way).I drive with one hand and play the harp with the other (I find it VERY easy to play with one hand,I put my go to heck finger behind the harp and it is VERY snug).
When I come to situations that more attention I just stop playing.
Everybody has a different situation,very interesting to read eveyone's story.
Best
Steve harvell
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SPANKY
9 posts
Feb 25, 2009
7:46 PM
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hey this is cool i thought maybe i was one of two or three nutballs who go through these pains to practice. maybe i'll pass one of y'all on the road some time . or maybe one of you will visit me in the hospital after my emergency rackendectomy lol.buzadero that was funny stuff.
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KingoBad
26 posts
Feb 25, 2009
9:36 PM
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I'll practice on my weekly one hour trip with my in car amp setup. I have a digital delay pedal running through a little smokey amp. Run down the road with a harp and mic in one hand crankin' it out. It will probably be pretty hard to explain if I get pulled over.
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SPANKY
10 posts
Feb 25, 2009
9:44 PM
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you know i carry my delay pedal and a pignose 7-100 in the car with me . i hadn't thought about while i was driving . that might be too much 4 me to think about while on the road . i don't know well maybe on the way home when i'm on 4-12 shift , not too many folks on the road then. i travel an hour each way to and from work.
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isaacullah
54 posts
Feb 26, 2009
8:10 AM
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It's interesting to see how many folks harp while driving. I wonder if the cops'll get ya in places where there are cell phone/texting while driving laws! :) Me, I've always thought that public transportation is most conducive to harmonica practice. Not ON the bus, but while WAITING for the bus! I do it everyday, and since the damn busses here in Phoenix are always SO late, I sometimes get half an hour of practice in that would otherwise be wasted time! It took me a while to get up the courage to play in public like that, and I used to only do it if I was the only one at the bus stop. A while back, I was playing and someone came up to the stop, so I stopped playing. They were like "No, no! Don't stop! I was enjoying that!", so now I figure that my playing at the stop is kind of a "public service" to aleviate the boredom of other stranded passengers! Of course if anyone ever told me to stop, I would...
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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Buzadero
33 posts
Feb 26, 2009
8:13 AM
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Don't get me wrong. I am a devout auto-harpist. I get six-seven hours of windshield time on a far too regular basis. I work where I'm needed. I put about 35k a year on my ass.....not including the flights to wherever and beyond.
I, too, keep my Pignose plugged in to the cigarette lighter and held below the dash of my truck with some zip-ties. One handed, though. It was the image I had of a rack on while driving that gave me the willies.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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RyanMortos
87 posts
Feb 26, 2009
8:35 AM
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I tend to practice alone in my bedroom with the door shut. When weather warms I plan to practice in the basement, front porch, and parks. Sometimes I pratice in my car (parked) on my lunch break at work though I tend to do more reading on my lunch hour. I dont practice as much as Id like to.
I spend an hour on the road driving to and from work 5 days a week. Reading this thread makes me think I could use that as added practice time (that would be an additional 10hrs of practice a week!). I assume you all practice what you know as opposed to practicing new ideas while driving? Do those of you who practice while you drive all drive on light traffic conditions? I almost think my drive is too traffic heavy. Or even that if I could practice while driving it wouldnt be quality practice time. Thoughts?
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube - Containing [0] uploads and counting...
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Buzadero
34 posts
Feb 26, 2009
10:31 AM
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Open highway/freeway. I'd be apprehensive about driving in traffic, let alone 'heavy' traffic.
Burn yourself a jam tracks cd and pop it in. Have the keys written down where you can quick reference it without taking your eyes off the road for too long.
~B
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Buzadero
35 posts
Feb 26, 2009
10:33 AM
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"'playing' in traffic' is how that should read.
I drive a one ton dually, driving in traffic doesn't scare me a bit.
Riding? That's another story. But I haven't quite tried to get a harp inside a helmet yet.
~B
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Hollistonharper
19 posts
Feb 26, 2009
10:48 AM
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In all seriousness, new harp players and inexperienced drivers should not do this ( If you are both please let me know where you are so I can stay off the streets--my car or a telephone poll are in your future). But if you've got basic skills and have been driving a long time, why not? One of the harp's great advantages is it's portability.
I mainly play stuff I know and play along to jam tracks. I never (ok, rarely) take a peak at a tab sheet of something new I'm working on.
Downsides--if you drive a stick it's hard to keep the beat with your foot my biggest issue is I have not ever really mastered a great way to hold the harp and develop good hand techniques.
As far as quality of my playing while driving--it's probably mixed. But I think of it as running with a parachute or carrying weights, hoping it will improve my playing when I get out of the car.
Sorry about the typos but it's a b----ch to play and type this out while driving!!! LOL
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SPANKY
12 posts
Feb 26, 2009
2:28 PM
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i play or practice what i know or am very close to knowing. and yes the traffic is pretty light. i absolutely will not mess with it in adverse conditions . ya know like ,snow , ice ,heavy rain , or traffic.
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Preston
161 posts
Feb 26, 2009
2:45 PM
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I think from listening to some of you guys I could win the award for best knee-steering auto-harpist! I practice cupping, hand effects, everything while driving. Usually full speed down the interstate. If heavy traffic or rain shows up, or I need to pass, I do put one hand on the wheel. Ice or Heavy rain I come back to my senses and put the harp up until a stop light.
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snakes
115 posts
Feb 26, 2009
3:42 PM
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I take a harp with me everywhere so sometimes it just matters how close it is to happy hour as to where I am comfortable playing (a bit of levity there...). Mainly I either practice in my bedroom or if I want to play to music I usually go to my computer room so I can play along to my mp3's.
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Tryharp
106 posts
Feb 26, 2009
4:01 PM
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Ive only got a five minute drive to work, but sometimes I do some driving in the country at work, and there is always harp playing along the way. Theres not much traffic on the road, but the odd walaby to dodge where I normally go.
I'm lucky, Ive got a room in the shed with a computer, where I can practice without disturbing anyone. Ive only had this room for the past 12 mths or so, and it has made a huge difference to my playing, being able to practice more, play amplified, and use the computer at the same time to slow down songs, play along with jam tracks etc.
Tryharp
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bdr
17 posts
Feb 26, 2009
4:35 PM
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Hi Guys
the most regular place for me to practice is in the car, I have an hours drive to and from work, there is only 1 section of the trip where I do not feel comfortable playing and thats the 10mins closest to work on a narrow back road.
I keep a jam track cd and a cd full of 'play-along songs' in the car but I don't put too much concentration in playing while driving. I drive an Automatic so left hand drives while right hand plays unless of course if I'm stopped at traffic lights etc. or as I like to call it ...ahem...a traffic jam.
seriously though, I work night shifts and I cant tell you how oftan I have struggled with driver fatigue on the journey home, I have had many scary mornings where I have parked the car outside my house but don't really remember getting there!! having a harp in the car helps me overcome this problem because it gives me something to focus on when sitting at lights or whatever and stops me nodding off.
most saturday & sunday mornings I make a detour to the local beach on the way home and put in 30-40 mins or so of proper practice. an added bonus is watching the sun come up and the early morning car ferry sail out of the bay. not a bad woodshed at all. going to start bringing my smokey amp now.
Last Edited by on Feb 26, 2009 4:38 PM
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oldwailer
532 posts
Feb 26, 2009
7:29 PM
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I have an ipod loaded with a 100 or so Adam lessons, Gindick's lessons, and two books worth of Dave Barrett's lessons. Then there are about 500 jam tracks from various sources--and my favorite CD's to jam with.
I put this rig into my work truck and just drive between jobs, jamming all the way. Most of the stuff I have learned in the last two years has been learned there--while getting paid. I have a computer that tells me when to turn and where to go--so I don't have to pay any attention to that.
After reading this thread, I'm tempted to put my Hog 30 amp and a green bullet in there--open up the windows in the summer and get a real traffic jam going!
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gene
137 posts
Feb 27, 2009
2:56 AM
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I take "woodshedding" to mean bucklin' down 'n' practicing/learning a technique, riff or passage. I woodshed in my room. I can't give the harp my full concentration & effort if I'm driving. I've tried driving & playing, but I just didn't really enjoy it.
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Miles Dewar
192 posts
Feb 27, 2009
5:52 AM
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By the pond by my house, or in the car, when its past 11am, theres also a church in my neighborhood, i go down there and the sound bounces off the garage and church. Pretty much anywhere i can get to.
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---Go Bears!!! (Richard Dent for Hall of Fame)---
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mr_so&so
41 posts
Feb 27, 2009
10:16 AM
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Basically, I woodshed whenever and wherever I can. Locations most to least frequent are:
1) My 1/2 hour walk to work. Walking the blues provides a great rhythm track. Also great for the lung power. Most people I meet are plugged into their ipods and can't hear me anyway. It's surprising how little notice most people pay me, but sometimes I get a "sounds good". It has also been a conversation starter and a way to meet fellow musicians.
2) In the car -- I'm not proud of it though. Always one hand on the wheel. Never with a rig. I do find that it's too easy to lose myself in the playing and not concentrate on the driving. If I were smarter, I would stop doing this all together, and do more of...
3) In the car, parked in my driveway.
4) Back deck. My neighbours have actually said they like it. I try to play things there that already sound decent.
5) In the house, the moment my wife steps outside.
6) In the park. I find a bench or picnic table away from anyone and blast away.
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eharp
217 posts
Feb 27, 2009
12:13 PM
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i have been building a woodshed, 12'x10' with 2 windows and a tin roof.
did i take this woodshedding thing too literally?
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bluzlvr
129 posts
Feb 27, 2009
2:20 PM
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I'm another one whos' car doubles as his woodshed. Since I don't have a computer these days, I have to use the library, absorbing as much of a particular lesson as possible, making notes where possible and running out to my car while the lesson is still fresh in my mind.
I just ordered a couple of harps from Musicians Friend and included a little Smokey amp with the order so I can now practice in my car amplified. What fun!
That little thing actually sounds kinda bitchin', especially if I hook it up to my delay pedal.
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SteveL
25 posts
Feb 27, 2009
2:39 PM
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I have a basement garage - I woodshed in there, and park the car out on the street (if anything bad happens to the car I'll leave the insurance company to cry over it).
Don't play in the car too often. During my recent holiday I got into the habit of walking up the beach and playing.
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eharp
218 posts
Feb 27, 2009
3:45 PM
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little smokey and a madcat shaker do it for me in my car. talk about compact and portable!! that story might change if i start using pedals.
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the frozen canuck
6 posts
Feb 27, 2009
9:06 PM
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hey gang the same in canada 20 drive each way + 2 nights in basement w/my 10 watt traynor amp/apex127mike and away i go
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Aussiesucker
154 posts
Feb 27, 2009
10:35 PM
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Don't have a woodshed here ie it's too darn hot for fires! But, I am retired and I am never without a harp or 2 wherever I go. For me its therapeutic and takes the place of reading a book or wasting time watching TV. However I do have to be mindful of others ie practicing riffs, bends, or learning a new tune can 'grate' on others. Yesterday I sat on a lonely beach and played for a few hours. Rarely do I play in the car and only if alone and waiting for someone.
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SPANKY
13 posts
Feb 28, 2009
7:30 AM
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the wife and i have a friend from australia. she's movin back in a couple of weeks . from what i hear i think i'd be careful about where i step sit swim or sleep in australia. too many critters there w/ bad intentions . almost every place there violates one of two rules that i live by and they haven't failed me yet. they are as follows .... rule number 1 don't go places where there are things that wanna kill me and have the ability to do so rule number 2.... nothing and i mean absolutely nothing sharp or pointy gets near my mr. happy.
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Aussiesucker
155 posts
Feb 28, 2009
1:02 PM
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Na! Spanky you have got it all wrong. Sure there are snakes (we have them in our own yard & they swim in our pool) mostly harmless, and sharks , spiders, jellyfish and crocodiles which can be very dangerous . Personally & statistically the most dangerous places are the cities but not nearly as dangerous as some other countries. Here no one is allowed to carry a gun and most people are not allowed to own a gun so we have nothing to fear.
I have been a surfer, sailboarder and swimmer all my life ie I also live 200 yards from the ocean (Coral Sea) and I have no fear but a deep respect for the waters ie I would never swim before dawn or on dusk as this is shark feeding time.
A year back My wife & I travelled over 20,000 miles around and across Australia. Some days we only saw a couple of other vehicles. Some of the remote distances were up to 300 miles on very rough roads ie no sign of life. We never at any time felt threatened and any of the people we did come across in the outback were always very friendly.
I have travelled throughout the world and I believe that Australia is one of the truly safe places.
This is way off the script re Woodshedding but I have to correct some misconceptions.
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SPANKY
14 posts
Feb 28, 2009
6:26 PM
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thanx but i'm still skeered
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Buzadero
36 posts
Mar 01, 2009
7:56 AM
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AussieSuckah,
Where are you? I get down there about once a year. I have a good friend and co-worker that lives about :45 from Melbourne, and another surfing buddy from up Wollongong. The three of us usually end up at Bells for a good time.
Back in '87, I went down to root The Mighty Dennis Conner for the Cup in Fremantle and ended up on a motorcycle running around the country for almost three months. Had a great time in the interior and met some fine folks.
"AussieSucker" ....you wouldn't happen to be (or, know of) Geoff Donaldson, would you? Just checkin'
Harp content: The Ozzies are a harp friendly bunch.
~B
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Aussiesucker
160 posts
Mar 01, 2009
1:58 PM
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Buzadero. Hi. I live up North on the Sunshine Coast near Noosa although I spend half my time in Brisbane.
I don't know Geoff Donaldson. Is he a harp player? Where does he live? As you know it's a big country.
Back in '87 I was in Fremantle a week before the Cup & the place was buzzing. I returned there recently and the place was still great. Long way though ie 5000Ks from where I live.
Harp content: the first things I pack when going anywhere are my harps.
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Buzadero
37 posts
Mar 01, 2009
5:38 PM
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Ah. It was a longshot. You're right, it's a big country. You're at the other end.
Geoff Donaldson plays in a harp/guitar duo with a character named "StringyBark McDowell". They bill themselves as "Muddy Puddles". I have a couple of cd's from the late 90's. I think they're local to the Melbourne area, maybe Geelong.
~B
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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BluTed
13 posts
Mar 01, 2009
10:16 PM
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I've said it here before - I'm a knee-steerin' commuter woodshed player too, and on busy S. Calif freeways to boot. Have a little Radio Shack Smokey clone that I clip onto the dash. Two things I've noticed: you get used to playing sitting down and when you get an opp to play standing up, the breathing's different and it seems like I get out of breath easier. Also, video'd myself playing a short while ago. My eyes were darting around like crazy - as they no doubt do while I'm driving! Gotta wear the shades from now on...
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