Jam393
1 post
Mar 30, 2019
8:29 PM
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I recently obtained a harmonica. Would you suggest I online lessons like those offered on Modern Blues Harmonica, lessons at a local music store or just You Tube videos? Thanks for your help and time.
Joe
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jbone
2873 posts
Mar 30, 2019
8:59 PM
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Hi Joe and glad you found your way here. Good forum, lots of experience to draw from.
Myself, I pretty much taught myself but it took a long time. When I started there were few resources available aside from a few books, and where I lived there were not many harp players. I did manage over many years to become a pretty good player.
If you respond well to video lessons I know Adam has good content here. I know YouTube has been a good resource for me in recent years, and also my wife has gotten a lot of benefit guitar-wise from YouTube. Also depending on where you live and if there's someone close by you could learn from that's a good idea as well.
It's a really cool journey to be on. With work and an open mind you can be playing well in a relatively short time. With any new project there is a learning curve and in my case stubbornness and a vision of me in the future, playing with bands helped move me forward. Life with music has been good to me and for me.
I hope we see you around here asking questions! Lots of good folks who will share their experience with you.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
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Gnarly
2652 posts
Mar 30, 2019
9:20 PM
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I have advice--find a teacher in your area.
Craigslist might help, also try music stores and local music venues, especially those that feature blues.
If you have it in your budget, get lessons by Skype--I think Ronnie Shellist is a good bet, Jason Ricci gives lessons but he might blow your mind!
And lastly, I think the Harmonica For Dummies book (and the Blues Harmonica for Dummies, both by Winslow Yerxa) are a good value.
Heck, Winslow teaches by Skype, consider him--oh hell, I teach too, but am too modest to suggest you study with me . . .
Oh, and try to have a harmonica with you all the time, you will be surprised how many opportunities you can find to play a little bit.
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indigo
557 posts
Mar 30, 2019
11:14 PM
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Don't waste a small fortune on buying gear until you are happy with your acoustic sound.
Spoken from experience.
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Rontana
523 posts
Mar 31, 2019
6:51 AM
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The online lessons here are a really good choice for someone just starting out (look at the "Beginner's Deluxe Package").
Person-to-person lessons are fantastic, assuming the teacher at the local music store knows what he's doing. Not all music teachers view harmonica as their first instrument (and very likely most don't).
Skype lessons are probably a bit safer in terms of learning from someone who knows their stuff
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The Blind Doughboy Music Factory
Backwoods luthier specializing in resonator guitars
Last Edited by Rontana on Mar 31, 2019 6:52 AM
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nowmon
206 posts
Mar 31, 2019
7:01 AM
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I`d say to learn to chug and train motions, than you have a foundation to put licks on, enjoy.... In the language it`s DIT,DIT HU DAT, DAT, FOR STARTS...
Last Edited by nowmon on Mar 31, 2019 7:04 AM
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Littoral
1670 posts
Mar 31, 2019
9:40 AM
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Maybe you're supposed to play the harmonica. I think some people are but the only way to really find out is if you stick with it. But that can't happen if you don't have one so my basic rule is buy a new one when you lose it. Maybe you're supposed to play harmonica.
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Rhartt1234
256 posts
Mar 31, 2019
9:56 AM
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Quit now before it ruins your life!
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agarner
48 posts
Mar 31, 2019
10:04 AM
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Welcome! I learned to play by Adam, Annie Raines, and Jason Ricci's Youtube channels in addition to books. I think a lot of us owe a great deal of gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen who educate us with free online materials.
My local library had John Gindick's "Rock n' Blues Harmonica" book. I loaned it as many times as I could. It came with a great CD that had all of the scales, licks, and notes that went with associated pages. The caveman story was a bit much, but a great guide nonetheless. I've also read the "Dummies" guide and it is really well written, just a bit more "scholarly".
I will also advise getting a good harmonica. I tried with a cheap Hohner, still fun, but learning the basics was much harder until I got a nice one and my mind was blown.
I would also head to jams. Not so much to play, but to listen. And.... maybe a good harp player at a jam can take you under their wing.
Music stores are pretty much worthless for harmonica players. Nice people, but our instrument is so niche and most of them have no clue.
Have fun learning.
Last Edited by agarner on Mar 31, 2019 10:08 AM
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agarner
49 posts
Mar 31, 2019
10:13 AM
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@Jam393. Are you in NH? Not sure if the 393 is a highway reference. I'm located here; get in touch if so.
Last Edited by agarner on Mar 31, 2019 10:13 AM
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jbone
2874 posts
Mar 31, 2019
10:25 AM
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Marine Band, Special 20, and Golden Melody were my first harps and all were worth the money and lasted well unless I drew or blew way too hard!
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
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sonvolt13
170 posts
Apr 01, 2019
6:40 AM
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Above all, I would say buy yourself a quality harmonica In the key of C such as the special 20,. Get it from an online harmonica store such as Rockin Ron’s that keeps fresh harps in stock. Learning on a harp marketed for beginners will only frustrate you.
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6SN7
830 posts
Apr 01, 2019
6:47 AM
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LEARN TO TONGUE BLOCK
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Apr 01, 2019 10:50 AM
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dougharps
1932 posts
Apr 01, 2019
7:46 AM
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@Rhartt1234
Great post!!!
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Doug S.
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Buzadero
1338 posts
Apr 01, 2019
3:49 PM
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If you're starting from absolute scratch,I have to give an endorsement for Michael Rubin.
I have two friends from completely poles apart segments of my life that I recommended the "Meat and Potatoes" Youtube series that Rubin put out to.
Both friends spoke highly of the series and Michael's bedside manner. And, both seemed to make rapid strides.
That's all I got. Anecdotal evidence from my own external observations.
http://michaelrubinharmonica.com/pageVideoArchive.html
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
MBH poseur since 11Nov2008
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Mirco
617 posts
Apr 03, 2019
3:05 PM
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If you're serious about learning and are willing to put in the work, join David Barrett's bluesharmonica.com.
It's around $18 a month, but there's a comprehensive plan that will take you from beginner to pro level. I dedicated about an hour to it everyday, and it took me about three years, but Dave's teaching methodology and videos helped me advance at a good pace.
After studying through the website for about 3-4 months:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0scZUaJ0gWU
My "Level 10" songwriting showcase:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMoQFdxuc7Y&list=PLAFz7eWZkUkm7Butop5h_MFx1zSbaRouY
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
Last Edited by Mirco on Apr 03, 2019 3:07 PM
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