Rick Davis
2417 posts
Sep 24, 2013
7:52 PM
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mediocre....
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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blueswannabe
283 posts
Sep 24, 2013
8:03 PM
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On the lower side of intermediate.
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didjcripey
630 posts
Sep 24, 2013
8:11 PM
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I'm with Superbee;
getting better every day
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Lucky Lester
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nacoran
7159 posts
Sep 24, 2013
10:12 PM
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Good enough to entertain myself, and sometimes the audience, but with a lot of room to improve.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
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JInx
549 posts
Sep 24, 2013
10:32 PM
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Try not to worry about your levels. Make a good effort to give people something to latch on to, whether they be pros or joes.
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Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
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FreeWilly
343 posts
Sep 25, 2013
2:35 AM
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I like what David Barret says: The people that hear you the most, like your playing the least. In general, harp is more appreciated by harp players I'd think. Although in pop music, everything seems to go...
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A440
110 posts
Sep 25, 2013
2:56 AM
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JInx is right - we should not worry too much about levels. Technical skills and musical knowledge grow through time - that is part of the journey.
However, it is a mistake to believe that you need to be a highly advanced player to make good music. Especially accompanying a band, even basic harp playing can really sound good and change a song... just listen to the harp in the Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, The Who, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Steppenwolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, The Black Crows, Deep Purple, The Romantics, etc. Most of it is pretty basic playing, from a technical point of view. The important thing is the MUSICALITY that it brings - the color, timing, rhythm, and wail. Even when Alanis Morrisette blows basic beginner's chords, it sounds really nice in her songs, creating a different character.
Sure, most harpists would love to play at the level of Little Walter, Big Walter, Sonny Boy, Magic Dick, Jason Ricci, or Adam Gussow... and some of us may reach those levels. But don't be shy or frustrated if you're not there yet (or ever). The blues harp is a forgiving instrument. It's pretty easy to get going with the basics, and contribute a signature sound to a song, whether that is quiet chugging, a short solo, or a simple call and response with a vocalist. Have fun with it, whatever level you are, and grow through experience...
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The Iceman
1186 posts
Sep 25, 2013
4:21 AM
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There will always be someone better than you as well as someone not as good as you.
As you improve and move on down the "ability line", no matter where you place yourself, there will always be someone better than you as well as someone not as good as you.
So, always play at your own particular ability at any given time. Don't over reach, no matter how much you improve over time.
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The Iceman
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SteamrollinStan
52 posts
Sep 25, 2013
4:48 AM
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Never played outside the mancave, but ..mmm, better than 4 years ago, but still hitting too many flubs and not practicing enough, However i sometimes feel satisfied that i got this far....my playing = good sometimes + sometimes shi*house.
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BronzeWailer
1146 posts
Sep 25, 2013
5:04 AM
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Marching around a giant globe toward a receding horizon. Way better than I used to be, but more aware of my deficiencies too. Trying to think of improving in terms of years rather than months, weeks and days. Most of all, having fun along the way...
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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GamblersHand
456 posts
Sep 25, 2013
5:07 AM
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Advanced intermediate - 2nd position generally, tone, sense of rhythm/timing/phrasing, blues tonality & working the blue 3rd
Intermediate - 3rd position, having an encyclopedia of riffs to fall back on, variety, consistent intonation of 3 draw bends
Beginner - 1st position, 5th position, 12th position, blow bends, overblows/draws, much more
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Buzadero
1119 posts
Sep 25, 2013
5:07 AM
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I would compare myself and my 40 year plus harmonica journey to one of those so-called "retarded" kids at the Special Olympics.
I blissfully move through life keeping myself happy and entertained with my own playing.
I'm not the fastest, the toniest, the most technical, or the most creative. But, I make me happy and it's nice that I seem to illicit positive smiles, enthusiastic appraisal, and declared joy from people that my music comes in contact with.
The harmonica is the soundtrack of my life.
It works for me.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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walterharp
1177 posts
Sep 25, 2013
6:38 AM
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around my home town, the expert.. at SPAH a bug...
Last Edited by walterharp on Sep 25, 2013 12:03 PM
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Barley Nectar
59 posts
Sep 25, 2013
7:37 AM
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I'm a jamer. I have fun playing with many friends and travle far and wide to play. The better the players are around me, the better I play. I really can't do anything on my own. I have my own style and have had the honor of sitting in with some great bands, yes they invite me back...I just ask what key and go. Seldom play blues. I get compliments from players and listeners alike. My job is to make everyone else sound better. I love my job...BN
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ej
31 posts
Sep 25, 2013
8:24 AM
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I've learned enough over the last couple of years to now know what I don't know. I do some things better than others but can always improve on everything, but I'm having fun. That's what level I play at, fun level!
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HarpNinja
3481 posts
Sep 25, 2013
8:25 AM
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3
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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Grey Owl
325 posts
Sep 25, 2013
10:09 AM
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Mezzanine
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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Honkin On Bobo
1153 posts
Sep 25, 2013
10:24 AM
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I was prepared to write a lot but A440 said it prefectly, so.....what he said.
(Well done A).
The only thing I'll add is that the the dichotomy of general audience judgement with that of this forum has always been fascinating to me. I've been up on stage with bands a number of times and my playing has been well received. I would be absolutuely torn to shreds by the forum membership were I to post a video. I consider myself somewhere between an advanced beginner and intermediate on the Kudzu scale.
The moral? A little musicality goes a LONG way on our little instrument. So to those brand new to harp: Do not let some of the criticisms you read on here prohibit you from jumping up there if you feel you're ready. I almost guarantee you'll be amazed.
As regards how to stay true to yourself? Listen to what YOU think is good, and play what jazzes YOU.
Last Edited by Honkin On Bobo on Sep 25, 2013 10:26 AM
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STME58
546 posts
Sep 25, 2013
11:53 AM
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There are a lot of good thoughtful comment on here. In my limited experience the audience makes a big difference. The largest audience I have played for was at a open mike and it was well received. I can do OK in a jam situation, but my playing with others in an improvised situation needs work.
I frequently sit out in public and play. I have never gotten a negative comment from a passerby.
What I have heard when out in public is
Thank you, that was beautiful.
I thought that was coming over the sound system and I couldn't believe they were playing good music for a change.
I did not know Bach could sound good on a harmonica.
You should go on Americas got talent, you would win! (This was obviously from someone not familiar with what harp sounds like when truly played well, but the comment was appreciated non the less.)
Are you a professional?
Contrast that with what I immediately hear if I slip and allow myself to be heard at home (mainly from my 14 year old);
You suck!
That is annoying.
You are hurting the dogs ears.
Put that thing away.
NO! stop!
If anyone were to actually give you money when you are playing it would be to make you stop!
Fortunately I have places to practice where my son can't hear me.
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Rick Davis
2432 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:01 PM
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I am happy to be an intermediate player. I don't really aspire to anything more. I will learn new chops and polish old ones, but I recognize I have pretty much reached the limit of my abilities as a player. I'm good with that.
I find other ways to contribute to the blues community.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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colman
266 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:19 PM
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I`ve been playing since 1968 and woodshedded alot in the 70`s with a guitar and harp.played and recorded in late 70`s and 80`s ,i look at it as a language ,i have learned it, speak the language and sing it.I know what the hootchi cootchi MAIN sounds like...
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Harpaholic
369 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:26 PM
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Rick, you reached your limit, because you decided to.
I felt the same way three months ago and realized the only way I will get better is to practice every day, even if it's only 30 minutes.
Guys like Aki practiced at least 2 hrs every day to get where he is.
I'm sure Nic at some point even more. I'm guessing Nic spent countless hours practicing day after day after day to gain that much skill in such a short time. It didn't come easy to him, he worked for it.
Sorry to get OT!
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Sep 25, 2013 12:44 PM
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harpdude61
1843 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:38 PM
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Sort of advanced but a long way from pro level. Always practicing, listening, and learning. I'll never try to stop growing as a player.
Audiences enjoy it but it could be as much because I am enthusiastic and love playing. It comes across. I try to stay within my boundries but fill it with emotion and passion.
Wish I had more harp peers to jam with. Always something to learn!
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TheoBurke
467 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:45 PM
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Advanced, pro quality, but remaining teachable.
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.co,
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HawkeyeKane
2057 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:47 PM
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"Advanced, pro quality, but remaining teachable."
Agreed just considering who decides to email you out of the blue, Ted. ;-)
Me? Intermediate and slowly learning more when I can.
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Hawkeye Kane
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bloozefish
129 posts
Sep 25, 2013
12:56 PM
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Well, I was a kickass harp player in my 20s and 30s,absolutely fearless, well-received by drunk and uninformed audiences. Hell, I could find the right key, bend like a son-of-a-bitch, not step on the vocals or guitar solo, always find my way back to the "One."...in short, I regarded my own playing fairly highly. I was the best harp player I personally knew.
Then I began to actually learn a little harp. My technical skills have greatly improved in the last 30 years; I now know enough to call myself an advanced beginner still working on basics of tone and hitting the right bend. Ah, the Lessons of Humility
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Rarko
41 posts
Sep 25, 2013
1:01 PM
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So, what level are pro players...?
Jason Ricci - level insane
Howard Levy - level unreachable
please continue... :-)
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TheoBurke
470 posts
Sep 25, 2013
1:05 PM
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You don't need an "insane" or "unreachable" level of skill to be considered Pro, just the level of technique and command of material to be able to communicate and work well with other musicians and to be sought out by other players for gigs of all sorts.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a Professional Musician is , strictly speaking, anyone who gets paid for their playing.
John Mayall, never my favorite harmonica player, is a Pro, through and through.
In that sense, I remain an amateur.
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.co,
Last Edited by TheoBurke on Oct 01, 2013 10:27 PM
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Barley Nectar
66 posts
Sep 25, 2013
4:56 PM
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Hey, I'm a Pro...Cool
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atty1chgo
713 posts
Sep 25, 2013
5:09 PM
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Low level intermediate, but I play scary good when with a professional rhythm section and guitar. So what does that mean? I'm a duffer, but not when I play with pros, and I mean established pros.
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2chops
162 posts
Sep 25, 2013
5:26 PM
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According to Adam's guide, advanced intermediate in 2nd pos. Advanced beginner maybe intermediate in 3rd. So much more I want to improve in. People dig it when I play out. My wife and dog enjoy it at home. I have a string competitive streak in me. So I have had to adopt Michael Rubin's adage..."Music is not a competition.". And "Your music IS valid.". Helps keep me in line.
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You Tube = goshinjk
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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STME58
547 posts
Sep 25, 2013
5:55 PM
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Along the lines of what bloozefish said, I am a lot better than I was a few years ago, but nowhere near as good as I thought I was a few years ago. I have only been playing harp for about 6 years.
Technically I am probably between intermediate and advanced intermediate. I have a lot to learn about how to play so that it complements what the other players are doing. I am used to playing with a sheet of music in front of me. Improvising is challenging, but starting to come easier.
As others have mentioned here, good musicianship is more about using the abilities you have well, than about impressive virtuosity. (If you have both you are at the insane or unreachable level) I am trying to learn how to place a few simple notes in the proper place to enhance the sound of the whole group.
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Joe_L
2338 posts
Sep 27, 2013
5:06 PM
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While in college, I studied music with the legendary saxophone player, Edward Petersen. He gave some really good guidance.
"If you ever expect to do anything great, you have to not care what people think."
You are going to get out of it, what you put into it. You've got to have goals and make progress toward reaching them. You've got to do your own thing and never stop learning. When you stop being open to learning, you stop growing as an artist.
When I first started playing in rooms full of great musicians, a friend of mine told me, "don't obsess about the opinions of others. Have confidence in your abilities. Do your own thing. Let yourself come out in your playing."
If you get out enough, you won't have to wonder what people think of your playing. They will tell you.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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2plankr
47 posts
Sep 27, 2013
5:26 PM
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Rick, you are far better than mediocre. Your version of "One Way Out" is the best I've heard.
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Monk
20 posts
Sep 27, 2013
7:36 PM
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Scale of 1 to 10? Maybe a 3...
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Dorian Green music
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12gagedan
280 posts
Sep 27, 2013
8:34 PM
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I am now as I've always been; not as good as I'd like to be.
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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boris_plotnikov
879 posts
Oct 01, 2013
3:21 PM
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Unhumble, but for recent three years I feel enough advanced... For future improvement I think 7 or 8 of 10.
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
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Georgia Blues
99 posts
Oct 05, 2013
5:59 PM
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The older I get the humbler I get. BUT... the more fun I have playing and learning from AMAZING players who are contstantly coming out of the woodwork on Youtube. I did have a small personal epiphany. the diatonic harp is ten holes... twenty notes more or less. You (I) want more learn to play a clarinet. Not throwing stones at the amazing players here. I am in awe. But I am also sort in Popeye the sailors camp when he says.. "I am what I am and that alls what I am." If it was good enough for Little Walter it's good enough for me... to aspire to. And again my admiration for people I'm getting acquainted with around here knows no bounds. AS for me... I'm a perpetual hopeful.
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Alex
Last Edited by Georgia Blues on Oct 05, 2013 7:02 PM
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