phogi
277 posts
Feb 23, 2010
2:52 PM
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Buddah and MAL's discussion has me thinking: what is the best way to learn? What should you avoid? For harp there are some things I see come up often. Lets start at the beginner level. I am a beginner. I've been playing almost two years. If you want to hear me I posted a vid a few weeks ago...http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/557154.htm
Everything I know about harp has come from youtube, internet forums, and alot of practice time, and performing at a local jam.
I can play most every note on the harp (have not found good use for the 10 od nor 9 od, and bend all the od and ob. Yet I am a beginner in my mind. Why? take the piano...any child can walk up and play any note ont he piano. So what, I know all these notes. My beginning trumpet players work just as hard to play just the notes in the lowest two octaves of their instrument.
I see many things on the horizon
1) I need to practice lots of scales. I'm thinking of learning each mode from each note, but am asking myself if the end result is functional. It would certainly help me to know the instrument more in depth.
2) I need to keep making scale excercises and practicing them.
3) I need to spend some more time listening to the players I enjoy listening to.
4) I need to continue to focus on intonation, tone quality, and sound
5) I need to spend some time utterly imitating a few famous players...this also helps in learning the instrument
This is a start...so, suppose you were once where I am...What items would make your list, knowing what you know now?
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toddlgreene
885 posts
Feb 23, 2010
3:05 PM
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Sounds like you got it figured out....
as for me,
1.I would actually practice on my own with some regularity aside from band practices. I haven't done this in many years.
a.learn overblows
b.incorporate a. into my playing where applicable
2. Experiment outside my 'comfort zone' more often-different tunings, learn more theory, do more ensemble playing, more TB techniques, etc.
3.Actually play my chromatics!
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Todd L Greene. V.P.
Last Edited by on Feb 23, 2010 3:10 PM
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GermanHarpist
1163 posts
Feb 23, 2010
3:07 PM
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I have to practice my techniques: TB, Tongue Flutter, Vibratoes,...
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germanharpist on YT. =;-) - Resonance is KEY!
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tookatooka
1259 posts
Feb 23, 2010
3:28 PM
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For me, I find I learn most when I'm learning tunes that I really like to play. If a tune requires a special technique then thats good.
I'm finding the biggest problem is finding stuff that I really like to play. I'm not into just stringing riffs together because I don't intend playing with a band.
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RyanMortos
651 posts
Feb 23, 2010
3:57 PM
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My one buddy at work told me there was an older hanon book of scales & chords (for piano) to learn all the scales. I'm still surfing the net for something like that.
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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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congaron
561 posts
Feb 23, 2010
6:24 PM
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Playing live with my band does the most for me..practice with those guys expands my horizons every time. I learn to do something new at every practice it seems, just because it fits into the music and I can feel it when i play live. Jam tracks are good, but for me there is no comparison to live playing with my band.
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nacoran
1211 posts
Feb 23, 2010
7:01 PM
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I remember reading an article about education theory. They did a study on a bunch of kids learning basketball. They had some of the kids practice every day and some of the kids practice every other day. The kids who skipped a practice were asked to do visualization exercises on the off days. They showed more improvement than the kids who practiced every day. At least that's what I remember from the article. I read it years ago. I must have read too many articles that day without stopping to consolidate the learning.
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Bluefinger
111 posts
Feb 24, 2010
8:16 AM
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You have a point here. It's very important to take a break from time to time and reflect what you are doing. Too much playing and too little thinking can keep you wrapped up in the same old licks forever. It's also important to listen to the great players a LOT. Just pick out the things you like but can't do yet or maybe you can but haven't thought of it yourself yet. Learn it, play it and forget it. Some stuff will come back at unexpected moments and in a different context ... this is finally the stuff that will be part of your OWN style. I wish I would know half as much as I have already forgotten ...
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If it ain't broke you just haven't fixed it enough ...
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addict
101 posts
Feb 24, 2010
9:36 AM
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I don't think I was ever where you are right now in that you already knew a LOT about making music when you started playing harmonica. But I will dare to suggest two things to you. 1) Take a lesson with a good teacher and get some guidance from them. I recommend Dennis Gruenling. 2) Find a way to play with some people who are much better than you. I am finding it a very valuable experience to do that.
And to all of you I would say that the internet is no substitute for feedback from a teacher. The feedback part is important.
Last Edited by on Feb 24, 2010 2:04 PM
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Tuckster
401 posts
Feb 24, 2010
10:15 AM
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#2 is easy. Everybody I play with is better than me! LOL
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