Maciekdraheim
46 posts
Oct 22, 2009
1:36 PM
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I've been thinking for some time about being talented. How can I know, if I was born to play the harp or not? I know a band in which plays some good guitarist, but the bandmates tell him, that's got a lack of talent. He can master a tune when he'll practice it for a certain time, but doesn't have a kind of flow in playing, making mistakes, sometimes doesn't know "where to go" while playing a piece. So, now I'm going to my question. I'm wondering, do I have any qualities that'll make me a player or I'll never be good one, no matter how much I would practice? I've devoted few years of my life to harp, but never before showed any qualities in music. I've improved my musical hearing, phrasing, tone and rhythm (that only a bit)with practice, but don't know if I go any further in the future. How to discover that one's got a talent or is just a harp noob?
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nacoran
271 posts
Oct 22, 2009
2:39 PM
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Post clips and get feedback from people that know. We all see the weirdos on American Idol who can't sing but think they can. I think the show distorts perceptions a bit though. People who don't have that internal filter to tell if they are terrible or not flock to shows like that. Maybe it's all the parents out there who tell their kids how great they are instead of telling them the truth nicely.
I think most people, at least once they've played a bit, have some idea if they are terrible or not. There are savants out there, but most 'savants' were good players who practiced tons, but most of us it's just about practicing lots and enjoying playing. Not everyone here can be a Jason or Adam but that doesn't mean we can't be good enough to add something positive to our band. I'm sure if you post clips here and ask for honest feedback you'll get it, as well as suggestions for how to improve.
There is a psychological principal I read about. Some grad students tested a bunch of kids. The kids were given an easy test. Half the kids were told how smart they were, and the other half were commended for their good effort. Then the kids were asked if they wanted to take another test. They were given a choice between a taking another easy test or a harder test. The kids they had praised for being smart wanted to take the easy test. The kids they'd praised for effort wanted to take the harder test: they craved feedback for working hard. The 'smart' kids didn't want to risk doing something that would show they weren't smart. Develop a love of playing and learning and trying harder things and you'll love practicing, and with all that practice you'll end up being great. At least that's the theory.
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RyanMortos
395 posts
Oct 22, 2009
3:41 PM
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Do you think Jason or Adam or Little Walter or whomever you idolize as a harmonica player sat around wondering if they were gifted or not? Or did they do what they loved regardless and get great because of it. Do you think the still living ones don't think about how 'they aren't all the way *there* yet'?
Guess I don't have an answer. Just questions, lol. One thing's for sure, if you're over 18 and asking this you're not a prodigy but then again, who says the earliest bird plays the best? (dolt! question again)
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Buddha
1096 posts
Oct 22, 2009
4:43 PM
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How are you at other things?
What is your typical day like? What other activities do you participate in?
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~Buddha
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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ZackPomerleau
407 posts
Oct 22, 2009
4:46 PM
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Jason, no offense, kind of sucked in the beginning. I think gifted is just a very good learning curve.
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RyanMortos
396 posts
Oct 22, 2009
4:56 PM
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"I think gifted is just a very good learning curve. " - Ditto
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Buzadero
188 posts
Oct 22, 2009
5:21 PM
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"Wow, no one has quoted me before I think"
-- Zack Pomerleau, 22Oct09
You are becoming a pundit.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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KeithE
37 posts
Oct 22, 2009
5:54 PM
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One thing that would be interesting is instead of people quoting how many years they've been playing to get to a certain level, they could could how many hours they've actually been playing.
There's an internet meme that says it takes 10,000 hours to become a true expert at something.
Maybe that's pessimistic, but if you go by that number it would take 3 hours of practice a day to get to expert level in under a decade.
Zack - I've heard you say that you've only been playing for three years. Any idea about how many hours so we can quote you?
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Tuckster
240 posts
Oct 22, 2009
6:17 PM
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Jason has said he practiced 8 hours a day. All the virtuoso classical players do the same. Even if you're gifted,it still takes some great dedication.
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RyanMortos
397 posts
Oct 22, 2009
6:30 PM
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"...3 hours of practice a day to get to expert level in under a decade." If that's true then at this rate guess I'm on the 20 year plan. Darn day job.
If Jason did practice 8 hours a day for 15 years that would be like 44000 hours of practice!
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Buddha
1097 posts
Oct 22, 2009
6:37 PM
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I used to practice constantly. I would fall asleep with a harp in my hand and then wake up and start playing again. I played everywhere and for every available minute that I could.
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~Buddha
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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ZackPomerleau
409 posts
Oct 22, 2009
7:10 PM
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Keith, funny! I don't play harp four hours a day. EVERYDAY I listen to music, I read it, I do SOMETHING then I will apply it to the harmonica.
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jonsparrow
1222 posts
Oct 22, 2009
8:51 PM
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jason also mentioned he plays practices like 360 days a year.
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DevonTom
25 posts
Oct 22, 2009
8:59 PM
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Oh, I'm sorry, I missed that. who can piss higher?
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MichaelAndrewLo
37 posts
Oct 22, 2009
9:13 PM
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I think the "10,000 hours" to expert is a little off for most musicians. After about 1000-2000 hours one should be playing competently and solidly at an expert level. At around 5000-6000 one should be a master and around 10,000 one is a world class virtuoso on the level of international classical concert soloists like cellist Jacqueline du pre. For those interested, or who don't know yet, I am tracking the specific amount of hours I practice in my youtube channel. So far I have 251 hours logged and plan to reach a total of 5000 hours.
http://www.youtube.com/the5kproject
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sopwithcamels266
217 posts
Oct 23, 2009
3:16 AM
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To the original post:
If you don't know how the hell does anyone else.
Gifted, don't get hung up with that S...
get your mind set right and get on with it.
Most of the great musos I know wouldn't even bother to be on any forums that's the nerdy types right.
Hey may be Iv'e become one.No chance, Im just sat in my studio killing a bit of time and trying to get my head off certain things for a few minutes, to give the brain a change before return to focus.
This sight as I understand it is for all of us including me to learn right.
There isn't such a thing as a gifted muso.It is down to attitude and b..... hard WORK.
There is evidence that if youv'e been exposed no matter what, to some form of your subject for example maths or music before the age of 12, even if it's left dormant for a number of years will gain you an advantage, if you have the ABILITY to applie your self.
As you may know teenage years actually loose cells in the brain and throw out what they are not good at and the brain enhances as compensation in other areas.
Evidence is emerging now that you can develop new cells in adult hood and increase your chances of dare I say become (gifted, don'tlike the word)
How you ask.
Physical and mental conditioning. They are showing now that maining and developing endurance and fitness in general can actually increase cells.
Diet plays a MASSIVE part, equal to the physical.
This 10,000 hours s... that nerdy folk keep harping on about is a mere fraction of it.
Improvising which is my thing as a jazz sax player incorporates many many approaches which in a lot of ways don't hold to the 10,000 thing.
This kind of avenue is I guess targeted out your classical soloist or concert piano player etc.
At the end of the day it is down to you, not who you are of where you come from, YOU.
So believe in your self get your MIND set Right, and get on with it.
Last Edited by on Oct 23, 2009 3:21 AM
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harpinonfire
18 posts
Oct 23, 2009
9:33 AM
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Sopwithcamel, you the man. Like I tell people, just walk up to the line, look at your target and throw. Don't OVER think your form. Just do it. OVER thinking is the killer. Keep enjoyment in it and run for the border.
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mickil
580 posts
Oct 23, 2009
3:52 PM
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I've also heard about this 10,000 hours thing. Might be true. Dunno. Still, if your practice is involving the formation of bad habits then you're gonna spends another 10,000 hours unravelling them. A good teacher could save you eons. Failing that, obsessively scrutinise the sounds you make that don't sound as you want them to. Just having your right thumb in a slightly different position can effect your tone big time. A bit nerdy to say that, I suppose. Oh well, hey ho!
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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