I first started learning harp in the late 1990s after discovering the blues, then stopped for a long time when other things in life started taking up most of my time. I decided to start again at about this time last year, mainly because my son was showing an interest in music and I wanted to encourage that. I got a harmonica for Christmas (a Hohner Pro Harp in C) and set about learning again.
As the year draws to a close, I thought I’d reflect on my progress, especially in comparison to the first time around, and what I want to achieve in future.
1. Knowing more about harps: I started with a Hohner Blues Band and later moved to a Marine Band, both in C. Back then I really didn’t know about any other harp brands or models, and was only vaguely aware of different keys. This time I’ve tried out a number of different brands and models and experimented with different keys. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing as I’ve spent a lot of time reading reviews online, but it’s been interesting and fun.
2. Getting single notes: I can get single notes accurately and reliably, which I wasn’t always able to do the first time I tried learning.
3. Beginning to bend: the instructional book I worked with first time around ended with a lesson on bending and I remember finding this aspect of playing very frustrating. I still can’t get all the bends but I can get them on the draw 4 and 6.
4. Playing harp parts from actual songs: I can play the harp parts to a couple of well-known songs, like “Heart of Gold” and “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”. My wife tells me they sound like the song (mostly) and she’s a tough judge :) I can also do a basic train rhythm. Last time I could only play the songs/exercises in the instructional book. I think the vast amount of stuff available on YouTube has really been helpful here.
5. Hearing the difference: When I first started I really didn’t hear any difference in terms of complexity or technical ability between the playing of say, Bob Dylan and Little Walter. Of course I knew they were very different styles but they were all just harmonica playing. Now I can tell when listening to someone’s playing whether it’s “simple” or “complex”, if that makes sense. I’m not knocking anyone’s playing, just making the point I can tell the difference.
I know this doesn’t sound like much and some of you guys and girls are streets ahead of me, but I’ve enjoyed the past year of learning harp and I’m glad I’ve progressed further than last time.
So, my New Year’s harping resolutions are:
1. Spend more time practising: I try to practice every day but it’s not always possible. In the New Year I’m going to do at least 15 minutes a days no matter what.
2. Work on bends: hopefully by this time next year I’ll be able to get them all.
3. Rely less on tabs: I still play mostly by looking at tabs so this is something to work on.
What about you? What have you achieved in your learning/playing this year and what’s your New Year’s harping resolution?
This helps, I've been at it only a few months and currently feel stuck. I've recently ordered several cd's and books but kind of don't know which direction to go. My desire was to learn to play melodies but the books really emphasize playing chords and riffs and I get why but haven't been able to sit down and do it.
I became similarly frustrated with this kind of thing in instructional books and that's when I decided to try to learn the harp parts to some actual songs. Here's the YouTube videos I used for the two songs I mentioned above.
They're not that much different from some of the stuff in the instructional books but much more satisfying because they're real songs. I suppose I might be missing some foundational stuff by not working comprehensively through the instructional books but just doing so is not very appealing.
My suggestion would be to pick a song you like and find a YouTube video (or other resource)on how to play it and work on that for a while, then go back to the books.
Liam's videos are great; music broken down into short phrases with on screen tabs that he doesn't deviate from. A beginner like myself couldn't really ask for more.
I've been learning for just over a year now (on and off... mostly off) so it is indeed a good time to reflect...
Overall I'd say I've made decent progress and finally gotten over that desire to buy more harmonicas just for the sake of it.
My resolution for next year will be to go back to basics - specifically with regards breathing. When I started I was to eager to progress so I skipped some of the important foundational skills, but I now realise that was shortsighted. There was also this preoccupation with learning to bend which, while important, I feel I over-prioritised.
I may even be brave enough to learn the basics of music theory, which at the moment I run a mile from... or perhaps I'll leave that one till the following year, eh..? :) ---------- Forum Search Direct Link
I feel like I have had a pretty decent 11 months of learning to play. Its the first time since I was a kid that I have played an instrument for any length of time, or actually devoted time to practice.... And enjoyed it! I had a good start and was using mitch graingers instructional videos (which his has paused for a while), I then felt a bit lost for a few months as my work load increased and I was struggling to find a new learning resource that worked for me. Adams lessons filled that hole. I have supplemented those very recently with stuff from Ronnie shellist, and that's great too.
For the new year I really want to properly get to grips with more music theory, to understand better the progressions and positions etc. I also want to have the main positions beyond 2nd at a better level. Finally I want to take a few real lessons with a real teacher... In the flesh, you know... Like the old days!
The great thing is it now feels like it's part of my life, not just a temporary distraction.. I look forward to what next year brings. I'd also like to thank you all for answering my questions and those of others. Its been a great help.
I think I have made good progress. Bought a special 20 in c 10 months ago and never played an instrument before. Bought a few other keys since then as well as a book by Jon Ginndick which helped. I'm currently learning a song from Adam, St. Louis Blues which is great fun especially as I can now get the 6 overblow as well as all the other bends on the tab sheets. I would like to play the St. Louis Blues fully and well in the new year and it would be great if I could find a blues guitarist to jam with.
2015 is the first year I have not had a band since 2010...even 2009 I was having a few gigs. I'm really glad to have had the time away from repertoire and worrying about remembering song lists and arrangements and band politics and pressure to play the same song better or more inventively or just different...I just started to play songs I liked and think about the sounds I like from the harp rather than what song will go well in the next set... Consequently I play slow blues better than I used too. Maybe they all sound the same but that's why we have first position. First position has been a big thing for me this year. I still have plenty to learn especially with getting the 10 blow bend where I'd like and getting a tremolo effect on those bends. I'm very happy with my blow note trem generally though. Next year? I think the first thing will be to complete the blues harmonica dot com LOA4 and maybe 5. If I'm getting the development I want from those courses, particularly re accompaniment and improv I guess I'll keep going with it and see how far it takes me. But at this stage I'll say I want to be looking at the LOA 6 this time next year. Thanks for the topic.
This year I spent a lot of effort sorting out my amped sound for playing with the band. It's surprisingly awkward (compared with e.g. guitar) but I've done it now. Some technique and some equipment. That's why I got into this, to play that amped blues harp sound. Next year I'd like to do the same playing acoustic into a vocal mic for variety. I've learned to like that sound on records.
I've listened to many, many blues harp records and picked out things I like. Especially things that add variety and get away from standard licks. I've catalogued them in totally nerdy way. Next year I'd like pick a set and learn them in way that I can say is 'my style'.
I've really got into 3rd position this year. More work to do but I now use it almost as often as 2nd position. Next year: 1st position!
Chromatic. But what? Single note style, playing properly from music or going for the 3rd position big blues sound? If I can work out how to play those big octaves that will decide it probably.
Like all New Year's resolutions, it'll probably all go out the window. But good to think about it.
...oh yes and I mustn't forget of course starting this Beginner's Forum this year! Now we've got something going, I wonder if it shouldn't be folded back into the one forum at some point. What do you think?
And starting this forum was a very good idea. Thanks for that.
I don't think it should be folded back into the main forum just yet; I'd give it at least another 6 months to a year to grow. One thing that might be good is if we got a little more proactive about letting folks know it's okay to post video or audio of their stuff - either for critique or just to stretch themselves a little and let others hear what they're working on.
It would probably really work well if we also (occasionally) asked one of the working pros from the main forum to swing over here, take a quick listen, and weigh in with their two bits.
As for my own harp aspirations (which kind of sounds like I just suffocated on a Hohner) I just want to keep fooling around and having fun with it. If you're having fun, then the practice never feels like work or drudgery. I want to avoid thinking about whether or not/how fast I'm progressing. If you just play for the sheer fun of it, you will progress. That's good enough.
I suppose, specifically, I'll be working on more speed, more jam tracks, amped playing (just got a little Vox mini 5 and an SM 58 mic) and adding vocals. Would like to try and find a blues-leaning guitar player to collaborate with, but those are in short supply here in the very rural Midwest
Last Edited by Rontana on Dec 19, 2015 5:27 AM
I agree the beginners forum should be kept separate. It's nice to have a space to discuss things with other beginners that might not be relevant to those on the main forum. For example, I wouldn't have felt comfortable starting this thread on the main forum, not because I thought anyone would be critical, but because it seemed to fit here better. Thanks for starting it.
As for posting examples of my playing, I'll add that to my list of resolutions.
I also agree with what others have said about music theory. The more I learn the more it seems important to know at the least the basics.
And of course just having fun too. Thanks for the reminder Rontana. I found on occasions that getting too caught up in progress can distract from the enjoyment of playing.
Last Edited by Glass Harp Full on Dec 19, 2015 2:59 PM
"...oh yes and I mustn't forget of course starting this Beginner's Forum this year! Now we've got something going, I wonder if it shouldn't be folded back into the one forum at some point. What do you think? "
@MTG
I'm quite astonished read this...
You were personally instrumental in getting this forum started in the first place; why you would you want to revert to the way things were..?
To be honest, I still find this forum a little intimidating - not in terms of overly critical remarks or anything, but just find most posts (many of them surprisingly long) just go over my head.
But that's not a bad thing - it's up to people like myself to ask for clarification if I need it.
When I was more active in the regular forum during the early part of 2015, there were still fairly regular posts from beginner/intermediate players, and generally speaking the responses from members was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. I can remember voicing my opinion at that time against creating a separate beginners forum.
That said, now that it has been started, it needs time to settle. Perhaps it also needs more promoting/links from other parts of the site. If Adam could contribute more often, that would definitely help too.
Those are just some initial thoughts, as ever I'm happy to support whatever decision is made.
Harmlessonica - I'm asking the question because, as you say, when the idea of Beginners Forum was raised over the last few years, opinion was divided. In the end, the thing got started in the wake of some very negative posts aimed at beginners. Anyone looking at the MBH right now - when it is generally settled and positive - might reasonably think 'why are there two forums?'.
There are reasons why Adam might not want to keep two forums going. There could be a dilution effect (perceived or real) that could affect his business for instance. So it's helpful tell him if we'd like to keep it.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 20, 2015 12:16 AM
Rontana - your notion about 'progressing by having fun' is a good one.
I often have this vision of progressing stepwise, without having to think about it too much, without particular aspirations, just by doing. Then emerging some time later from the woodshed being able to play, almost as a side-effect.
Unfortunately it normally doesn't work out like that, and the learning the harp has been a classic case. It's taken a lot more thought than I thought! In every dept. - technique, what to learn next, equipment. Uggh.
I've started learning some drums and that does feel more like it - more stepwise and there's a well trodden path to follow. Learning piano was like that. A teacher would feed you pieces and exercises at the right level, they'd do the thinking, you'd do the doing.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 20, 2015 12:43 AM
This is a little OT for this thread . . . but is a follow up to the "fun" aspect of progression.
I'm of the opinion that, after you learn how to bend and can at least somewhat perform other basics, it's a good idea to play songs as much as possible. I tend to transpose songs to second position, and that makes me use all the bends, hand motions, vibrato, some tongue stuff, etc. (that said, I do a lot of first and third too)
As I get better on the song, as muscle memory clicks in with the basic melody, I want to add more flourishes and technical things. This is in fact practicing basics, and practicing pretty intensely. It's just in the context of making real music, which (to me) is a gas. It's a mental game, but it makes me forget that I'm practicing. In my head. I'm just making music and having a good time.
For example, play a song you might think you've mastered, but change it up entirely by using different grooves and rhythms. That will make you look at scales and licks - which you thought you were very familiar with - in an entirely different light.
That's not to say the songs I play sound perfect, or even anywhere close to halfway decent. I have no idea . . . and at least one of my dogs seems to think I pretty much suck (then again, I saw him walking around with a cow pie in his mouth the other day . . . so his taste and judgment are questionable).
I do know these tunes usually sound okay to me, and provide great pleasure, and that's the entire point. I mean, we're playing this silly instrument for ourselves, not to impress someone else.
But, as I've said before, everyone learns in different ways. A linear progression of lessons and steps works great for many people, but it usually doesn't work great for me. Thinking about something too much will trip me up every time. I've learned, over the years, that I have to outsmart my own head if I want to pick up a new skill and stick with it.
And really, isn't getting out of our own way the key to progressing in most fields? We are frequently our own greatest adversary.
The brain is a marvelous device, but we're not all wired the same. That why all I can say to anybody is "just have fun with it," but in whatever way works best for you.
Huh . . . maybe those are a couple of New Year's resolutions after all.
Last Edited by Rontana on Dec 20, 2015 6:17 AM
That's good insight. The particular nugget I'm trying to bring out - the thing we might have in common - is the idea that you do some playing (tunes you like, scales, different grooves, exercises whatever) and by-the-by you improve in other ways than the stated goal.
Cross-training if you like.
So...on the drums (definitely, full-on, bona-fide beginner here), I found that I could brute-force my way through a new pattern. Just about stumble through it at super-low speed. If I repeated that enough before I went to bed, in the morning I could play it quite fluently with some pulse in it. Probably a common experience, but it was particularly striking with the drums. Quite odd in fact. Like overnight the elves had plugged me into the Krel mind-expanding machine (Forbidden Planet?). I'm getting to rely on it.
That's what I'd LIKE for harmonica. Playing stuff (for fun, as you say whatever that fun is) and improving on the side.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 20, 2015 10:46 AM
Mirco, how far along the LOA are you? Ive noticed a few folks have finished. Im not sure how realistic my goal is with it, but perhaps im spending too long...it seems maybe the material continues to build and if i just complete the parts relative to testing it would be ok as i would continue to work on that material throughout the programme anyway...until i becamd stuck for lack of a fundamental which needed more work
I finished LOA7. LOA8 and LOA9 get into 3rd and 1st position. I finished the 3rd position material for both levels, but I want to spend more time playing in 3rd before I move onto 1st. I'm also now in Dave Barrett's School of the Blues house band and I'm spending some time working on the house band standards list and working on vocals. ---------- Marc Graci YouTube Channel
Good topic. As for an assessment of this year, I've managed to get comfortable enough on the chrom to use it when playing out with my band. Adds a nice varity to our sound on certain songs. So in that vein of thought, one of my goals for '16 is to get better comand of using the button on the thing. Just started working on The Christmas Song for this Christmas. Good song for button training as it comes into play a few times in the song.
Helped start an open mic at a friends place this past year. As such I was the anchor man/act. So I got to stretch myself by doing my OMB stuff in public rather than just on my back patio. So I'm working on being more comfortable with my vocals and harp phrasing. I will be adding more solo gigs this year on top of whatever the band does.
Started working on the upper end of the harp for 2nd & 3rd position playing this year and am starting to get more comfortable with that too. Next year I'll keep working on this also. The goal is to work holes 6-10 into the core of my being as much as holes 1-6 are. This way I can work the upper end w/o having to think about the difference in breathing patterns.
2chops: The keys to holes 6-10 are: -pentatonic scale -5 hole octaves. Especially in third position, where ALMOST every octave on the high end is an "acceptable" tone. Be careful and deliberate when playing hole 7. ---------- Marc Graci YouTube Channel
Last Edited by Mirco on Dec 26, 2015 1:13 PM
@Micro...Yes on the pentatonic scale. I've been using the ones noted in Winslow's Blues Harp for Dummies book. Along with that, translating some of the standard licks that I do on the lower end to the upper end. We added a couple funk style songs in our repitoire this fall that really needed some horn lines from up top. So working these in has helped too.
Spot on on hole 7. I've noticed quite a while ago that it is the most temperamental of them all. Spot on embouchure and breath control is the key it seems. ----------
2chops. Very interested to hear what you have to say on the top end. That's been a focus of mine for a while.
Myself, I found the generic guidance to transcribe stuff from the low end was NOT the answer. It may be technically correct but I found it wasn't what people actually play. On records at least. From the relatively few blues harp players that use the top end regularly, I pieced together a rag-bag of moves they really do use.
Some I can't do because it's too difficult like the Sugar Blue (and others) high-speed stuff. In brief the beacons for me where Charlie Musselwhite (for extending playing at the top end) and Kim Wilson (for briefer hits, fills and embelishments). Also a bit of Jerry McCain for round holes 6,7,8.
I agree that the pentatonic scale is a good backbone up there, but there are only so many times you can run up and down that.
There's a particular 'shape' (bit of scale) that I found people often use as another backbone. I think of it as an inverted T shape when I play it but that's just my thing. 7D 8D 8B 9D. With that 8B with dips/bends for expression.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 28, 2015 1:33 AM
It's a good topic, worthy of a thread MTG, 2chops, Mirco. I'd love to discuss it. I understood mirco's comment re the 7 chamber to refer to choosing what to play and when, probably because the notes there can mess you up used inappropriately and because it's the transition from the lower 6, so maintained awareness at that point helps you join the two parts of the harp...they're not really halves but it is like you have to split holes 7-10 from 1-6 and transition through that point. The overblow 6 is where I've been rather focussed but becoming less so and more inclined to jump to the draw 3 if I need that note. The overblow is a valid and modern approach, but the jump down is a classic sound and kinda has some benefits of its own I think.
