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Subject: "Playing improvement without instructor" Archived thread - Read only
 
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TheWannishGuy
Member since Aug-7-03
31 posts
Aug-28-03, 10:44 AM (PST)
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"Playing improvement without instructor"
 
   I was thinking about how far with the harmonica playing is possible to go (for me and everybody else) without the help of a live instructor... The case of bending, for instance: I heard somebody here saying that just with years of practice one could master all bending techniques. Okay, so how to do it alone, without someone telling what is right and what is wrong? This is impossible, at least for the non-genius population!
But, *when* should I look for some harmonica teacher? Is it better at the beginning or when you think you're not progressing at all? Or I'm wrong, and it's possible to carry out the whole process by yourself?
What think you of it??


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Bromley
Member since Jul-26-03
19 posts
Aug-28-03, 12:47 PM (PST)
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1. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #0
 
I think it depends on your passion for the instrument and for music. The great thing about harmonica is that there really aren't any concrete rules...just guidlines. Some advice you take, some you don't. As long as you enjoy playing and are willing to put forth the effort, you won't stop improving. I took a few lessons when I was beginning, but I didn't find them very valuable. I found more value in playing with friends, and experimenting on my own.

In the case of bending, I have heard from many people how they struggled to learn, asking advice, trying different techniques, but they end up learning by accident. They bend a note when they aren't trying to, then attempt to remember how they did it. Once you're there, just play around with it until it becomes a part of your playing. I very rarely hear of someone being taught how to bend in a lesson (although, there are the gifted few).

In my opinion, I would stick with harmonicalessons.com. There are a lot of great tips for players at all levels, and these discussion forums are a great way to get some specifics from more advanced players as well as people struggling with the same thing you are. If I were to take more lessons, it would be for the sole reason to have someone to play with. You can always learn from others.

Keep at 'er.

"I'll ride the wave where it takes me. I'll hold the pain. Release me."
-E.Vedder


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NicholasH
Member since Jul-25-03
9 posts
Aug-29-03, 05:44 AM (PST)
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2. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #1
 
   Like the previous reply, I dont go on lessons.
Get your basic technique off this site and practice.
Bending used to called chokin' by the old bluesmen.
Find a single note draw (2or 3) and use your tongue as you would whistle. There you go
Nick


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Bromley
Member since Jul-26-03
19 posts
Aug-29-03, 07:27 AM (PST)
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3. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #2
 
Yeah, everyone learns bending different. My first bend was 6d on my C harp. I made it work by inhaling while moving my tongue and jaw like I was saying an exagerated "Yo".

Cool.

"I'll ride the wave where it takes me. I'll hold the pain. Release me."
-E.Vedder


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Savage_Harper
Member since Aug-18-03
4 posts
Aug-29-03, 10:11 AM (PST)
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4. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #3
 
   I'm like the Reply above, thats how I learned to bend, with that mouth technique but on a 3d.


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TheWannishGuy
Member since Aug-7-03
31 posts
Aug-29-03, 01:33 PM (PST)
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7. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #4
 
   In my case, I first thought that I know instinctively how to bend, but when I heard to the audio about incorrect bending at this webpage I started to doubt it in such a way that I unlearnt how to do..
So, one nice day I was trying and it simply bended, without any explications...
Now I just have some problems to reach the bend first and with the half bends of hole 3, but not serious...


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TheWannishGuy
Member since Aug-7-03
31 posts
Aug-29-03, 01:13 PM (PST)
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6. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #1
 
   In fact, I think I'll become very shy to play anything with an instructor by my side. What I need is a person who give me some practical and theoretical advices when I need it..
I told about the bending because it is the kind of thing that a beginner only can know surely if he really knows how to do if someone listen to him playing.
-
"The great thing about harmonica is that there really aren't any concrete rules...just guidlines"

There is a point that always worry me, I never know if what I'm playing are 'correct'. I mean, I don't know which notes I should play and which I CANNOT play, you know, while jamming alone...


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Bromley
Member since Jul-26-03
19 posts
Aug-29-03, 01:41 PM (PST)
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8. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #6
 
Practical and theoretical advice is what these forums are all about. I think you may just need to train your musical ear to figure out what sounds cool and what sounds awful. If you like harmonica music, then you must already have a sense of what sounds cool.

Learning harmonica usually has a standard progression. First stage: single notes and following tabs. If you can play single notes, play something that you know how it should sound (even if it's something dorky, like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"). This site has some cool little tunes in the tab section and some sound files. There's a straight forward Bob Dylan song in the beginner's tab section. Just get your timing down, and you're gold.

Good luck to you, and keep it goin'.

"I'll ride the wave where it takes me. I'll hold the pain. Release me."
-E.Vedder


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TheWannishGuy
Member since Aug-7-03
31 posts
Aug-29-03, 02:29 PM (PST)
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9. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #8
 
   "Practical and theoretical advice is what these forums are all about"

Surely! I just said that sometimes a live aid works better...


But and what about this quote here, from my previous post:
""The great thing about harmonica is that there really aren't any concrete rules...just guidlines"
There is a point that always worry me, I never know if what I'm playing are 'correct'. I mean, I don't know which notes I should play and which I CANNOT play, you know, while jamming alone... "

How could you help me with this??


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Bromley
Member since Jul-26-03
19 posts
Sep-02-03, 05:13 PM (PST)
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10. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #9
 
If you can't tell if what you are playing sounds good or not, maybe you do need a live aid. If you have any friends that play harmonica, guitar, or any other instrument, they may be a help to you. A second opinion from another musician can't hurt.

I'm not sure what exactly you are having trouble with, but if you are just jamming to a CD or something, make sure you are in the right key. The lessons on this web site will be able to give you more help than I could with general jamming tips. Good luck.

"I'll ride the wave where it takes me. I'll hold the pain. Release me."
-E.Vedder


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TheWannishGuy
Member since Aug-7-03
31 posts
Sep-03-03, 07:30 AM (PST)
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12. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #10
 
   "If you can't tell if what you are playing sounds good or not, maybe you do need a live aid"

Maybe it is my problem...
-
"I'm not sure what exactly you are having trouble with"

I just want to know if, EVEN if I'm with the correct harp, in the right position, somebody could say to me, "you CAN'T play this note now!" ?!


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rienzi1865
Member since Aug-18-03
8 posts
Aug-29-03, 01:13 PM (PST)
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5. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #0
 
   Been playing for about 18 years, never had an instructor, never took lessons. Bending will show up either way. I never tried to play like any popular harmonicasts. Can't even name a harmonica man. But I play well enough to sit in with many a rock & roll bar bands. My advice: Play alot - play your guts out - you will master the harp over time. Just make sure you have fun on the way . . ..

- jim


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Mr_chromatic
Member since Aug-2-03
60 posts
Sep-02-03, 08:23 PM (PST)
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11. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #0
 
   my dad taught me to play, or rather he introduced me to the harp, and lemme tell you once he stopped teaching me, and got back into his own harping is when i was finally able to learn to play the thing. lessons, and teaching are one way to do it, but nothing beats learning for yourself, you make your own mistakes and learn from them on your own, you build your own skill level and progress at your own rate.
currently playing:
hering 1923 vintage harp kes of g, and c. and the huang professional 1248 chromatic, which is perfect for bending.


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1nash
Member since Aug-19-03
4 posts
Sep-03-03, 05:52 PM (PST)
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13. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #0
 
   guess i'm gonna cast a slightly dissenting vote here. i think
harp can be learned much faster with a good instructor. an instructor
can keep you from developing bad habits, structure what you work on
first, second, third, etc, let you know not only if you're bending
but if you're hitting the right note on the bend. the instructor can
judge what you learn quickly and what you have trouble with (differs
from person to person) and direct your energies appropriately.

keep in mind that even if you're taking lessons, you still have to
do most of the work on your own. the teacher is just guiding, not
doing the work for you. also, i figure there are probably teachers
who aren't good at teaching (guy i work with took a private lesson
once and said the instructor spent the whole hour talking about his
personal problems--not a good guy to learn from).

unfortunately, for many, the question is academic. harp instructors
are not like liquor stores-- you ain't gonna find one on every corner.
for folks who have no access to lessons, then absolutely you can learn
a ton on your own using the various books, videos, CD's and of course
this website. however, i believe anyone who has access to a good
instructor would be well served to take at least occasional in-person
lessons.


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Bromley
Member since Jul-26-03
19 posts
Sep-03-03, 06:02 PM (PST)
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14. "RE: Playing improvement without instructor"
In response to message #13
 
Well put.

"I'll ride the wave where it takes me. I'll hold the pain. Release me."
-E.Vedder


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