harmonicanick
490 posts
Dec 21, 2009
2:27 PM
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It is your forum, how does it feel and what do you think about, what has become; maybe sometimes repetitive but loads of new input from young new players..
Harmonica is still low on the list though, unfortunately, but we are working unceaseingly to change that...
yours truly
an older player!
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tookatooka
906 posts
Dec 21, 2009
2:39 PM
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Although it is Adams Forum by ownership, it is also our Forum. There is nearly always one forum member who is only too pleased to dispense advice or point someone in the right direction. Although Adam is in the background keeping an eye on things, I'm sure he didn't intend to answer all enquiries. That would be a full time job.
Personally, I think he has done a brilliant job in playing his part to keep the harmonica and harmonica music alive. Testament to that is the fact that harmonica prices keep going up which could be due to increasing demand.
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mickil
750 posts
Dec 21, 2009
2:55 PM
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"Harmonica is still low on the list though, unfortunately, but we are working unceaseingly to change that..."
I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow you. Do you mean the forum's content, which can throw up various things in the way that people do?
You're right that it can be repetitive, but I suppose that's the nature of web forums. Probably, many of us have asked questions that have already been answered in other threads.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2009 2:57 PM
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jonsparrow
1453 posts
Dec 21, 2009
3:10 PM
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this is for sure the best harp forum around with the best group of people.
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tookatooka
907 posts
Dec 21, 2009
3:13 PM
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Yeah jons right, I'd have a nice cup of tea with anyone on this forum.
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Micha
50 posts
Dec 21, 2009
3:32 PM
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Mickil,
The biggest problem with this forum is:
Its amount of users have surpassed the format. As it is nearly impossible to search for a old thread, it is impossible to refer to that thread when the same questions arises for the 10th time.
To keep this the best Harmonica forum, someone should really look at getting this into a new format with Gear related problem, playing related, harp stories, off topic...
It would be easier to moderate and to use.
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tookatooka
908 posts
Dec 21, 2009
3:50 PM
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I think moving over to another forum format now would be an enormously expensive and long undertaking. I agree there would be improvements regarding searching etc but you have to remember that that "someone" is Adam and he is a one man band, so to speak.
There's a lot of history within this site and it would be a shame to lose that.
The fact that questions are asked repeatedly is no real big deal, there's always someone willing to respond. Whatsmore it saves us from thinking about finding new things to say.
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mickil
751 posts
Dec 21, 2009
3:54 PM
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Micha,
Yeah, I had a similar thought. The trouble is that any search system would rely on people being very specific about their thread keywords when they entered it, a bit like the tags in YouTube.
Some of the other forums have a much fancier interface, but their search functions don't seem to provide any more useful info than this one does via Google.
At present, it's a very hard IT thing to deal with.
tooka, put the kettle on!
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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MrVerylongusername
717 posts
Dec 21, 2009
4:32 PM
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It's all part of the charm. Look at the traffic this forum gets. It ain't broke - it don't need fixing.
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jonsparrow
1455 posts
Dec 21, 2009
4:40 PM
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heres something i made up real quick just to show you.
http://www.runboard.com/bdirtysouthbluesharpforum
every one can have avatars an sigs an many other options.
adam what you think?
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Gwythion
38 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:02 PM
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Although I've played other instruments for years (including occasionally traditional harmonica)
this has been my first year learning to play blues harmonica. This site has helped me a lot.
Thanks Adam and everyone else. You're right, Jon, this is a great forum!
As some of you say, the slightly hotch-potch format is part of the charm. Conversations here are more like real pub, bar-room or pot-of-tea discussions than forums with more formal formats. Perhaps because everyone dives in to the threads and adds their 2 (pence, cents) worth. Conversations can get more heated, sometimes, but people get less sense of talking via a computer and more of talking to other people.
Sometimes forums with sections get very cliquey and people stick to certain areas. This forum is more edgy because of the subjects, people stick their necks out more - I think the format encourages that.
I look forward to learning better harp and more discussions!
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mickil
752 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:07 PM
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Gwythion,
I think you more or less hit the nail on the head.
I never liked the orange navigation background, but that's neither here nor there; just late night silly talk.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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Gwythion
39 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:09 PM
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By the way, Jon, our messages crossed as I was writing my message. I wasn't dissing your work there.
But, I still think this present format contributes something to the mood which we all like here.
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howling hound
1 post
Dec 21, 2009
5:11 PM
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Hello all, first time post short time snooper.
I would like to say that this is an above average site, seems to have a good group of guys that post weekly and some that only post once in a while but thats just the way these type of sites go and thats just fine . I fly fish too and let me tell ya ,egos are not in short supply on some of those forums and yes the same old questions are asked monthly( new to the sport what rod do I need) but this has more of tuesday night jam session feel to it, might look like the same guys playing but you know some one is gonna try and change an old song to there groove . Im new to the Harp and loving every bad bend .just my two cents.
Hello Im Howling Hound and I have a Harmonica problem
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Gwythion
40 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:12 PM
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Mickil, I see you are a fellow British insomniac!
:)
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mickil
753 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:21 PM
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howling hound,
Welcome!
Gwythion,
Yeah, you're right about that!
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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Hobostubs Ashlock
201 posts
Dec 21, 2009
6:47 PM
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I love you Guys cant we all just get along? you cant see it right now but im crying hic up.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
202 posts
Dec 21, 2009
6:57 PM
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but the way i see it if the same question gets asked so many times well maybe it should cause the answers are most likely different.take it for what its worth opions vary,i love the different opions of stuff,i would like to see more of peoples work at all levels something can allways be learned from someone else no matter what level. you just might not like the answers lol.Everbody should post there progress except Micha he makes me sick playing only a year lol im still impressed.
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Aussiesucker
479 posts
Dec 21, 2009
6:59 PM
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This is a great site and a very good forum. Personally I would like to say thank you to Adam and to all contributors. May you all have a safe & peaceful Christmas, joyous festive season and more prosperous 2010.
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kudzurunner
886 posts
Dec 21, 2009
7:37 PM
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Jon:
That's a cool site that you've dreamed up using Runboard. I'm not completely averse to it. Maybe we should do it.
BUT:
Here's what I think: This forum is most certainly NOT like other forums. It is technologically substandard in terms of functionality. It's just one board, not multiple boards. It doesn't have avatars and all sort of other gizmos. No bells and whistles. It's easy to post videos here, though, and that's good.
What this forum is, really, is a very responsive, self-present community. It's the bulletin board in Animal House, so to speak. It's one undifferentiated board. You lose something with the fact that it doesn't have sub-forums, but you also gain something: a vivid sense of what's on everybody's mind RIGHT NOW.
I like that. I think there's room in the harmonica world for a forum like this. Harmonica Space, Bushman, those are great, too. But I think this lil' ol' chat space serves its function quite admirably.
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2009 7:39 PM
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oldwailer
977 posts
Dec 21, 2009
8:26 PM
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Yes, there are other sites and I go there sometimes--this, however, is the only one I am addicted to--I wouldn't care to see it messed with. . .
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nacoran
583 posts
Dec 21, 2009
8:29 PM
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It's not too hard to post videos and audio here, but there are sites that put the HTML into the post with the push of a button. I still have to look up the instructions every time I do it. Some forums also seem to have a way to prevent people from putting an image that's too large for the page from appearing so large that you have to scroll left-right. Avatars can make it easier to remember who is who, but then you get people posting crazy flashing logos that make the page all crazy.
Still, this site has some great things going for it. The single page format means more people see each post title, which means more eyes. Some sites break down into little cliques. Fark.com has people who post on the main page, people who post on the Geek page, people who post on the politics page. There isn't as much mixing. Here you get cross-pollination of ideas. I also really like the simple color scheme. So fly-over buttons on the navigation bar would be nice though. That's all glitz and glam though. If Adam suddenly had a lip injury and needed something to do with himself he could add them. I'd rather he spend his time on lessons though. (Didn't he say something about getting into making his lessons because he pulled a hamstring and had to take a break from running?)
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jonsparrow
1456 posts
Dec 21, 2009
9:16 PM
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like oldwailer out of all the harp forums this is the only one i frequent on.
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isaacullah
514 posts
Dec 21, 2009
9:26 PM
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The simplicity of this forum is it's beauty. Like gywthion said, since all threads are given equal time, most do get their time. Plus we have the best group of regulars and soon-to-be regulars there is. Period. Adam's lessons have attracted a certain group of folks, and we all center on similar things. That's why this forum is so good and so active. Places like are harmonica space are good ideas, but they're dead or dying. Hell, harmonica space can't even attract enough folks by offering a free b-rad to the biggest poster! Even with that enticement, there's only like one new thread a week, and maybe an average of 3 or 4 replys/day. Damn, if that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does... This forum is sweet because I know that as I'm doing other things, new threads, new replies, etc. will have been posted. i just keep it up as a tab in Firefox,and whenever I need a short distraction/break from work, I hit refresh, and there WILL be something new to read here. And A LOT of it is very useful and mind opening shit... Hell yeah...
~Isaac (a bit drunk, but fuck it..)
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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Tuckster
314 posts
Dec 21, 2009
10:06 PM
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This is the only forum I MUST go to. I like its simplicity and ease of reading posts. It also feels like a community to me. I'd share a drink of strong libation with any of you.
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tookatooka
910 posts
Dec 22, 2009
1:46 AM
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(((((((((Forum Hug))))))))))
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Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2009 1:46 AM
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gene
308 posts
Dec 22, 2009
1:51 AM
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I'd change one thing:
Ya know those little page numbers at the top of longer-than-one-page threads?...They ought to be where they are AND at the bottom of each page AND added after the title of the thread on the page you were at before you clicked to this one.---
Now, that ain't much complainin', is it? :)
Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2009 1:52 AM
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Micha
51 posts
Dec 22, 2009
4:43 AM
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Hobostubs Ashlock: Haha, didn't mean do discourage you with my recording. Just wanted some feedback after a whole year of playing on my own...
I really think that changing the format of the forum can have some big advantages. I also feel that having only one board is a positive thing.
But having only three divisions would be much more efficient: Just split the gear questions and the techniques questions from the stories, news, etc.
All the good conversations will still be at one place. Only now, it will be much clearer to see what is new. If you don't check this forum everyday, you'll probably miss 10 interesting threads. Because this one board is overloaded.
I really think that doing this would not take away the charm nor the people from this forum, but it would make it even better.
Anyhow, think this through before you make a decision Adam.
Merry christmas everyone!
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toddlgreene
275 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:14 AM
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I've got enough in my life to annoy me, and I have to suck it up and press on. I like this forum and its' format just fine. Room for improvements? sure, but that can be said for anything. It's a great refuge to find my peers and common ground, especially when everything and everyone else seems to be against me at times. Many thanks to Adam for creating and nurturing it, and to all of you for participating. Group Hug!
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
'shakin' the tree, Boss...shakin' the tree!'
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2009 7:51 AM
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mickil
754 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:27 AM
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Morning all,
I'd go along with the concensus here, including what gene just said about page numbers. Moreover, sometimes I really do wish that the numbers on the forum's home page were at the bottom too.
When I've had to search manually for an old thread because I can't think of what keywords might find it, it's a real pain to keep scrooling up to click on the next page of threads, especially with my crappy netbook mouse pad.
I do wish those numbers were at the bottom too. I think - though I'm not sure - that's it's just a matter of copying and pasting the code that generates them at the right place in the relevant template. I'm not a professional, but I know enough to have done all the graphics, CSS and HTML edits on this database driven site, which is just o load of PHP files:
http://www.gift-perfect.co.uk/
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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toddlgreene
279 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:37 AM
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Ok, ok, to slightly tarnish my glowing review...it is a bitch to search the archives, especially knowing that this forum is a weatlh of information. So yeah, a more precise method of searching the archives would be nice, and yes, page numbers on the bottom would be cool as well.
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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eharp
379 posts
Dec 22, 2009
7:49 AM
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mr. names mentioned the traffic this forum gets. has adam ever mentioned how many folks are on this forum?
i would guess that only 20 or so participate regularly. (sometimes "too" regularly. lol) but how many lurkers are here? how many individuals come here on an average day?
also, how many of us come here multiple times a day? is it just the regular posters that are repeats in a day?
i always push this site to newbies on other forums but never know if they follow the suggestion.
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jaymcc28
208 posts
Dec 22, 2009
12:59 PM
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I agree with those who say that we should keep this forum as it is. Sure, it's not overly slick but I think Adam hit the nail on the head when he said that we know "...what's on everybody's mind RIGHT NOW..."
I think one of the reasons the forum has so much traffic IS because of it's loose format.
Merry Christmas, All!
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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GermanHarpist
815 posts
Dec 22, 2009
1:58 PM
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There were times when I would have liked to change things exactly for the reasons mentioned above. However, the longer I hang out here the more I get content with the format it has right now.
You need to check it every day or two or the threads slips to the second page, but so what? I recommend everyone to simply leave one tab in your browser reserved for the mbh-forum... And btw. I'm sure that there are more than 20 regular posters around (not just isaac :) - and a couple of pros when we're at it.
As I see it, if we want something added to the forum, we just do it ourselves. Harpfriends on YT, HPC, MBH-Gadget-shop, the Archive, the MBH-Harmonica Map, mickils godfather tab (shameless plug, my brother... :) and loads of other stuff - that's all us - the community.
We made it happen because we wanted it!
Now, after 3 years of playing and searching the internet I still keep on finding new and very useful stuff - and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Often, I think that I'd very much like to bring it all togeather, sort it, rate it...
So, what we need is a harmonica wiki... Did I mention I have the domain WIKIMONICA.ORG registered? Don't like the name? Want it to be harmowiki or whatever... we can call it whatever we want! Because we're Harpfriends, the MBH-Forum, the Community... and WE do what we want! And I'm sure not only we but the whole harmonica community would profit.
Anyhoo, back to reading up the last couple of days... :)
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
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gene
309 posts
Dec 22, 2009
2:42 PM
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I just thought of one change we could really use:
Isn't there a thread where we can sell stuff? (I think there is.) It should be made "sticky" (Stays on top).
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ness
130 posts
Dec 22, 2009
3:03 PM
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You whiners! Whatever this is, it's good enough. And sometimes good enough is good enough.
I just had to choke down a forced upgrade to Office 2007, so I'm a little sensitive to change-for-the-sake-of-change right now.
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eharp
380 posts
Dec 22, 2009
3:07 PM
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@15 posters on this thread, my german friend. i think my rough guess of 20 isnt too far off the mark.
let me guess their total weight!
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GermanHarpist
817 posts
Dec 22, 2009
4:23 PM
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gene, sorry that's how it is.... no sticky. no nothing. Bare minimum (- but that at it's best!)
I tried to create some kind of sticky by putting it on the how-to page. Otherwise you'll just have to bump it the old fashined way... Yup, I know... we're living in the stone age while others are orbiting the earth in a space shuttle... :)
But then we're all orbiting the sun,...
(worst analogy ever? :)
eharp. In tons...?
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
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nacoran
592 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:12 PM
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Just with the names in this thread and the ones I can think of off the top of my head as regular posters it's over 20.
I bet there are at least 40 regular posters, who post a few times a week. I like that there are no lists of who has the most posts, since that sometimes turns into a contest, but it would be interesting to see how many people post x number of times a week.
Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2009 5:16 PM
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LeonStagg
55 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:30 PM
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Many great suggestions, I'm very happy with the forum as is. (Count me in the 20 to 40 regulars)
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RyanMortos
527 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:56 PM
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"like oldwailer out of all the harp forums this is the only one i frequent on. " - jonsparrow
Same here. Actually I think it's the only forum I participate in and not just observe at the moment. (For example, I've been a lurker on harp-l for over a year & only posted on there once! I've been a member of harmonica space as long as it existed I don't think I ever posted on their forums though, when it was new I hung out in the chat rooms a lot. Even met a few guys on skype but I don't think they all do that anymore.) Though, I think a lot of that has to do with time and the other lot many of the people I've become accustomed to hearing from here back when I first joined.
If I posted as many times as I loaded and read posts I'd probably be up around where jon is with posts, lol.
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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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jonsparrow
1464 posts
Dec 22, 2009
6:08 PM
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i never go on harp-l. i cant stand the way its set up. its like a BBS from 1989.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
208 posts
Dec 22, 2009
6:41 PM
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i hear you jonsparrow i get emails everyday from them but i wont go there it gives me a head ache.I use 2 forums I dont like Dave Gage forum that much either.I use Harmonica Academy it doesnt get a lot of traffic but its where i take most my lessons other than adams videos,I like asking Tony Eyers the teacher harp questions its small enough he can allways get back with ya.I spend allmost all my time here on this forum not ony for the enjoyment but a question posted will get a answer in 5 min thats nascar speed
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