Preston
463 posts
Jul 17, 2009
5:57 AM
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I would like to talk about the fact that I have absolutely no desire to play harmonica anymore.
Maybe some feedback if you've had a similar experience.
For over two years it has been one of the most important things in my life. Every spare second that I was not spending with my wife and kids or working, I was learning this instrument. It was in my pocket. There were harps strung throughout the house, so when an idea hit me I didn't have far to go to find one. I was into customizing and tweaking. I was into learning different positions. I was into playing classical and country and punk and rock music and not just blues. I squeezed the internet and local libraries and book stores for every last drop of information I could find about this instrument. I threw myself at it like nothing else in my life (other than my wife and kids).
For the past 14 days I have had absoultely no desire to play, tweak, customize, or otherwise have anything to do with the goddamn thing.
Is it summer? I'm an outdoors type, and have things going on. But that shouldn't stop the want to play, it would just cut into playing time.
Is it the depressing economy bringing me down? Shit, that oughtta make for some damn good blues.
I don't know what the problem is, but I have lost my desire to play the harmonica.
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JoshTheMagish
65 posts
Jul 17, 2009
6:00 AM
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its just burn out friend. do somthing else, and you will get back into after a while
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Buddha
835 posts
Jul 17, 2009
6:02 AM
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happens to me all the time. Put the harp away and do something else for awhile. I usually turn to the piano, guitar or bass when this happens. Sometimes I don't even feel playing music for awhile so I get into cooking, drawing or painting. Failing that, I just spend more time teaching my dogs to bite the shit out of people.
Give your brain a rest and when you're ready you music will be even better.
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MrVerylongusername
423 posts
Jul 17, 2009
6:02 AM
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It's like a marriage. sometimes you just need a bit of space and 'me time'.
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tookatooka
299 posts
Jul 17, 2009
6:08 AM
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Preston. Don't be too hard on yourself. There are probably many underlying reasons why you feel that way at the moment. Economy, swine flu, job security etc etc but my guess is you have what we artists and writers call a "Block". There have been many times when I just couldn't be arsed to pick up a pencil and draw or paint but I assure you it passes and when it does you go back with renewed vigour and determination. You've probably gone in too deeply and expecting more of yourself than you should expect. Don't try and force yourself to play otherwise it will be like a form of punishment.
Just let things take there course and one little thing will happen that will spark your interest again, believe me.
I thought you'd been quiet recently on the forum, and look forward to your future contributions which have always been interesting and insightful. I hope it doesn't last too long. All the very best.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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sopwithcamels266
175 posts
Jul 17, 2009
6:41 AM
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Look man your on this forum because your a harp player right. Once a muso always a muso. Musos never quit thats what makes us different.Makes us who we are.
When your on a downer that is the time to pick your instrument find some new interesting shit and start digging in.
Not only does it lift you out you will learn more during this period.It's about being strong don't listen to any negative shit about taking a break and all of that.
It's good you have recognised it but my advice is never stop, life is too short.
There are a lot of people in the world that will never get the chance to play and enjoy music.
Music is a gift from God.So I would say find something new to play but something that is hard and requires effort.Then up your playing time and dig deep.
Believe in yourself.
Don't hang with people that who do not understand, or don't listen.Artists are above that right.
So get playing man, hang tough, believe and up your level.
Artists motivational cycles swing all the time when you look at the dips in the graph that is the time to evaluate and work harder.
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2009 6:42 AM
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tookatooka
300 posts
Jul 17, 2009
7:11 AM
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Just thought Preston. This block of yours seems to have occurred just after you thought you embarrased yourself on your July 4th celebrations. I wonder if that is the reason? You felt you let yourself down. Happens to me all the time and I've got used to it now.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Buddha
836 posts
Jul 17, 2009
7:19 AM
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so I've been thinking....
Just quit man. You can do it, the harmonica doesn't need you anymore but the Kazoo does. THink of all the ladies you can get with the Kazoo. You know after Howard Levy left the Flecktones, they replaced him with a Kazoo. For real!!!! check out archive recordings of Bela in 1993. That's a Kazoo you hear.
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XHarp
110 posts
Jul 17, 2009
7:48 AM
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Be carefull Buddha, If you keep giving advice like this..
"Just quit man. You can do it, the harmonica doesn't need you anymore but the Kazoo does. "
He might buy one of your dogs and get it to do this to you...
"bite the shit out of people"
lmao, on both those comments.
Preston, It's typical when you throw yourself into something as hard as you tell us you were doing. You need to keep a better balance throughout instead of periods of intensity followed by periods of nothing like your doing now.
You'll come around again but when you do, don't be all consumed by it.
Like everything else it's all about balance but when you do fall over from time to time, just get one of Buddha's dogs and have it chase you around the yard for a few days snappin' and droolin'.
If nothing else you'll improve your breathing.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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RyanMortos
222 posts
Jul 17, 2009
7:57 AM
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Maybe its just this month? Ive actually felt less into it the last few weeks. Though, for me, it probably has to do with how busy with other stuff I am & struggling to figure out what to practice next even though I know there's tons.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Buddha
839 posts
Jul 17, 2009
8:24 AM
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Ryan, you should quit too. Preston needs a person to blow jugs for him.
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Chinn
1 post
Jul 17, 2009
9:04 AM
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Everyone needs a break from things once in a while..... And sometimes interests change.
Personally, I'm stepping away from one of my lifelong hobbies right now... I flew model aircraft competitively for the past 8 yrs (have flown for almost 30 yrs of my life). Competition burnt me out.
Now I'm playing harp again and having fun with it.
Step away for a while and start playing again when you feel like it. Forcing it will only make things worse.
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nacoran
118 posts
Jul 17, 2009
9:05 AM
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I can't get any jugs to blow on.
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mickil
377 posts
Jul 17, 2009
10:22 AM
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In the past, when I'd lost interest and given up, I think it was because I couldn't figure out how to play the damn thing. Books only seem to take you so far. But, our mentors have fixed that.
I regret the times I gave up, but I don't dwell on it; that's just what happened.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is, give yourself a break, if that's what you need. The more you distance yourself from the harp, the more you'll be glad when you hear one wailing that you know how to make that sound. Some people would love to be able to do it, but think they can't. Maybe you've just hit a bump in the road. I think that's what happened to me, be it a bloody big bump.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
http://www.youtube.com/user/SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2009 10:27 AM
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Preston
464 posts
Jul 17, 2009
10:22 AM
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This is all good stuff guys. This is the first instrument I've ever played, so I didn't know if this kinda stuff happens to everybody, or if I had a problem.
Sopwith: Good advice. I'll look into it, but really I don't have any drive. I'll see what happens.
Tookatooka: yes, you are correct about the 4th of July incedent, this started shortly after that, but I don't know if that's it or not. I think it is just time for a little break right now.
Buddha: my kid just got a yellow plastic recorder, what do you think about me playing that instead of the kuzoo? Also, I DO have a large jug. It has 3 x's on it, and I'd be glad to loan it to Ryan so we can jam.
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MrVerylongusername
425 posts
Jul 17, 2009
10:53 AM
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Nacoran - you don't blow on those kinda jugs
Preston - maybe you need to find a band, after all music is about bringing people together. Being in a band is more than playing your instrument - it's a whole social thing.
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mr_so&so
167 posts
Jul 17, 2009
10:54 AM
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Preston, as another neo-musician, I think I might know where you're at. This harp thing has grabbed me like nothing else. I still need to take the big step from "learner" to "performer". You've gone further down that road than me. I just put my first video on Harpfriends, and even that was an exercise in humility, since it took me twenty takes to play 40 seconds worth of harp half decently. I have to learn to play through my mistakes, make them work.
It's a bit of a downer to realize that learning to play the notes on a harp is only a small part of playing music, and that I've got to serve more "hard time" before I will be able to perform.
Now my mistakes are going to have to be public ones if I'm going to progress. I try to go at this in small steps too. I play in public every day as I walk. Now I try to play whole pieces, right through, when I'm out there, instead of starting and stopping all the time. Keep my woodshedding more in the shed. And I'll start putting more things on Youtube, for comments, etc. Don't know when I'll walk onto a stage, but I'll get there eventually.
I don't know if what I'm saying makes any sense to you, but I hope you can take something positive from it.
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snakes
299 posts
Jul 17, 2009
12:26 PM
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My advice is that this whole endeavor is about having a forum for expression and having fun. If you are in a place where you have nothing to express on the harp and it doesn't seem fun to you then take a break from it and I bet the urge to have fun and express will return to you at the appropriate time. Don't forget to be grateful for the addition playing music has added to your quality of life. To get better musically is work at times and perhaps you just need a break from the work of it. Just listen to music for now and enjoy what you hear.
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oda
123 posts
Jul 17, 2009
12:55 PM
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I actually came on the forum today to make a similar thread!
For me, though, I know it's a passing phase. I'll just take a break or try to learn another instrument.
I'm glad other people go through this... makes me feel more human.
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RyanMortos
224 posts
Jul 17, 2009
1:16 PM
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Preston, what key is that jug in & is it customized, lol?
Seriously though, lend me some of your harmonica skill/music knowledge whilst youre not using it :) .
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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jaymcc28
92 posts
Jul 17, 2009
1:18 PM
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I had a similar feeling this past week but fought through it. I'm a raw beginner that's starting to feel like I know something (that's dangerous). Visited a friend who's a great guitarist, very supportive and the only person I've ever 'jammed' with, if you can call it that. We didn't have time to jam but he asked me to play him something. For some unknown reason I pulled out a song that I just haven't played in a long time and I stumbled through it. I KNOW I can play better than that. He was complimenting me and it was tough to not stand up and say "NO, that WASN'T good, I'm really not that shitty!" but that in itself would have sounded foolish.
So, for a couple days I was waaay unmotivated to play. Then I stumbled upon a couple of old pieces of tunes that I had tried to learn months ago and failed miserably at. I tried them out and made some real progress...so I'm "back on the horse".
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oldwailer
831 posts
Jul 17, 2009
1:41 PM
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When I hit a dry spot on an instrument--and it has happened to me many times--I like to take up some other instrument.
Which instrument? Just choose the one that sings to you--classical flute music sings to me in that way--for you it could be anything.
You have already demonstrated that you have some musical talent in you--just re-channel it for a time--then the harp will come back haunting you again. I know--I started in the 60's when harps were under $5--quit many times--but I still keep coming back to it.
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CarolynViolin
44 posts
Jul 17, 2009
2:03 PM
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Hi Preston,
I'm sorry that you are feeling this way. Just take a little time out. If you need a break for a while, take it. You made the decision to learn how to play harmonica and you immersed yourself in it. To me, that means you loved it!!! And to do music and do it well, you must love it. I hope you'll get back to it. You really should. I can tell you that making music and having this God-given talent is wonderful. There's absolutely nothing else like it. I wouldn't trade it for anything! So just take time to think about it, perhaps go to some concerts, listen to great musicians, and just try to get back in the spirit with that great motivation and drive that you once had, Preston. All I can say is that evidently God gave you a musical talent, and that's not something that's handed out to everyone. Take care and I hope that you'll make the decision that's right for you. Carolyn
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kudzurunner
585 posts
Jul 17, 2009
2:06 PM
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I think it's important to distinguish a loss of interest that's a mask for some other problem (such as recent humiliation on the instrument) for a loss of interest that's simply....a loss of interest.
When something weird is going on and I want to know why it's going on, I've learned that I need to find a quiet space where I can close my eyes and sit and breathe for a while. It's called "getting quiet." When you've gotten quiet, ask yourself what's going on. Then, without trying to answer the question, just keep breathing. And keep breathing. And listen. Usually an answer comes. Sometimes it comes very quickly, often with a little burst of recognition and emotion, as in "Duh!!!!"
I've quit harmonica many times. Sometimes it bores me. I don't waste much time worrying about that. I just don't play it. I do something else. I get lost in other obesssions--such as running, or writing. I keep it simple.
I quit training and racing (I'm a runner) for 19 years. The last race I ran was on the May 1984 day when my GF of five years finally moved out. I just didn't have the heart to race anymore.
For the next 19 years I jogged a few times a week. I enjoyed the runs--some of them slow, some of them faster, none of them more than 45 minutes.
When I moved to Mississippi, something kicked loose in me after I ran my first race in 19 years. I got hooked again. I'm still hooked. I've run several hundred races since getting re-hooked. But for 19 years, after being a very serious racer indeed, I wasn't interested.
What you're talking about is your soul: that's the thing that drives us to find our passion in certain activities. You can't fake it for very long. My suggestion is to walk away. The harps will be there when and if you need them. Either you'll come back--soon, or much later--or you won't. I wouldn't feel a moment's guilt, regardless. If you were acting from your passion when you poured your heart into your recent playing, then you were doing something important--you were living your life deeply, and exploring something that needed to be explored--and that's all any of us can do.
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Buddha
845 posts
Jul 17, 2009
2:06 PM
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what you really need Prestos is a swift kick in the nuts and a hard kick in the ass. These are things that I do for my student. If you want to fly down to hell for a weekend, the first hour of nut kicking is on me.
I promise we'll get some serious tone out of you.
BAM!
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2009 2:07 PM
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Randy G. Blues
39 posts
Jul 17, 2009
2:13 PM
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If I am feeling burned out, the best medicine I have found is to put on some good blues, turn my amp up, and play 'till it pisses off the neighbors, 'till the cats run and hide, and my German Shepherd joins in on the chorus..
The other side of the coin: Bleeding Gums Murphy said, "Ya don't play the blues to make yourself feel better. You play the blues to make other folks feel worse." So go out and make someone miserable today!
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Aussiesucker
326 posts
Jul 17, 2009
2:34 PM
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Preston > Yes, me too. I give it away every so often. I think it happens to all of us. We go stale & need to unwind.
I find that when I'm solidly into practice and playing my improvement plateaus. Have a break.
Also I found I was moving forward too quickly without actually cementing things in place. I found I had a repertoire of ca 300 tunes, few perfect, but was continually searching for new stuff to play.Bored with the old.
Don't lose heart. Its only the harmonica and relatively unimportant in the overall scheme of things. Don't take me wrong though as I really love the harp.
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tookatooka
302 posts
Jul 17, 2009
2:42 PM
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Hey Preston, some good words coming from the gang here. Group ((((((HUG))))) everybody. I'm proud to be part of this forum.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Harpist
28 posts
Jul 17, 2009
4:08 PM
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I am too, tookatooka. Preston, I bet that if you hang out in the Forum every day you'll be playing again in no time. You just have to get that itch back. The best place to find it is in a place like the Forum.
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Aussiesucker
327 posts
Jul 17, 2009
7:44 PM
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Adding to my earlier comments I agree with what Adam has had to say re his obsessions ie like running. We are all different but for me I have found that things I take up as a hobby have become obsessions often to the detriment of the hobby. As an example I became obsessed and engrossed first in snow skiing then later in life in sailing & sailboarding all of which started out as being recreation but became an obsession ie spent all weekend competing and most of the week worrying about upcoming competitions ie it was more taxing than my actual work. I now do neither ie been there done that!
With the harp its a bit different ie I think I have it under control and will stick with it.
This is a great site and Adam is a great teacher but honestly the harmonica for me has more going for it than the just the blues. When interest starts to wane I pick up my chromatic and play it.
Also I enrolled ca 9 months ago with Harmonica Academy which at first I was very sceptical about. They have a more structured program of learning and although a stream for Blues is included it is more focussed on Celtic, Irish Fiddle & Bluegrass music. I am now thoroughly enjoying the course.
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geordiebluesman
195 posts
Jul 18, 2009
9:24 AM
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Hey Preston, Don't fret mate it's no biggie, I have had this many times especially with my verse writting, In my experience loss of interest or ability is mostly triggered by stress, I often get writters block if i have to produce work for a company and there is a dead line. I used to get tied up in knots and loose the ability to create but i have found that if i relax and just leave it alone then the switch flicks back to the ON position, With the harp i played about for 2 years in secret before Anyone heard me play Anything and then i got stage fright and a tight chest and cocked it all up!, I did'nt touch a harp for several weeks after but the urge overcame the embarassment and i moved on, Just leave it till it calls you back, and it will call you back PS I have benefitted from all your Harpfriends vids and admired your knowledge and ability and i bet plenty others have too, So don't stop mate your fans need you!
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Mgimino
30 posts
Jul 18, 2009
10:03 AM
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Me playing harmonica is the direct result of being burned out on another instrument. I'll return no doubt in my mind, just not right now!
So try another instrument you really like, or even a hobby. You'll be back for sure though don't worry.
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Michael
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nacoran
120 posts
Jul 18, 2009
11:23 AM
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When I don't feel like playing I go to Flikr or Google and type in harmonica. I might not play for a few days, but I learn more about harmonicas or see some really cool old art deco harps. If I had the budget I'd buy one that looks like a banana and then get it customized.
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jonsparrow
625 posts
Jul 18, 2009
11:56 AM
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now that im working an im seperated from my harps for serveral hours it just makes me want to play more.
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Hollistonharper
112 posts
Jul 18, 2009
3:04 PM
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Preston,
just want to second what Geordie said--always enjoy and learn a lot from your posts and videos. So just give it a break, the passion will come back. I bet if you tell yourself you're going to take a few weeks off, and come back after the harpfriends 2 contest, you'll be raring to go. If you throw yourself into anything 24/7/365, eventually you're going to need to take a break.
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