SmokeJS
173 posts
Oct 29, 2013
2:32 PM
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As a bit of a headstart on my planning for 2014 I'm getting things together to take Skype lessons from some who are members of this forum. I know that's the best thing to do to improve my "just past beginner" playing level given I can't find any blues harp teachers that are in my neck of the woods. The logic of this seems unassailable.
My long term plan is to only be a basement player. Now into my 60's I can't see much chance of ever moving beyond the basement or possibly the garage if other musicians come along. So my lined out Kalamazoo should suffice.
But that Mission 32-20 keeps pulling me in as does the Meteor Mini. They're not inexpensive but a heck of a lot less than a Ferrari. Do you think that giving into GAS will just get me an oversized paperweight or are these usable by someone in my situation?
That was very therapeutic. Thanks for listening!.
Last Edited by SmokeJS on Oct 29, 2013 2:34 PM
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Tuckster
1362 posts
Oct 29, 2013
2:43 PM
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Given your present situation,I think it would be an expensive paperweight. However if you have money burning a hole in your pocket and it REALLY makes you happy....
Although lessons are great,there is something about playing with other musicians that really steps up your game. If you can find friends to jam with,I urge you to do so.
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timeistight
1413 posts
Oct 29, 2013
2:52 PM
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Is it a choice between lessons and a new amp? Then go for the lessons. You aren't likely to get the best out of those amps unless you start to play out, anyway. Your Kalamazoo should be all you need in your basement or garage, at least until you start inviting loud bands over.
Last Edited by timeistight on Oct 29, 2013 2:52 PM
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SuperBee
1507 posts
Oct 29, 2013
2:56 PM
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i think i understand how you feel. i remember when i just wanted an amp, but i didnt really have much more than a vague idea i might actually need one.
amps are easy. you can get some satisfied feeling just by spending money and obtaining an item
real satisfaction will come from developing skills...and once that gets to a point...i dunno exactly where that point is...but at some point the gear starts to be less important, just because it is not as satisfying as the music you can produce, regardless of the gear
i'm sitting here in a room with 8 amps, another in the room next door, and i'm thinking of building another...at some time those amps were all really important to me in an excited GAS kinda way...but now, unless one has a problem, they are ever more simply tools...which is what i think they should be.
i rarely use any of them at home, unless i'm trying to identify a fault or find a setting i like..or compare a particular rig for a particular song.
GAS is a double - edged sword i think; it is a symptom of your enthusiasm and it can help maintain your enthusiasm, but it is also a distraction from the main game and can divert your energy and become an impediment to progress.
so i say..go for it but keep your head on. the fact youre even thinking about the issue suggests to me that you already know the score----------
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Rick Davis
2625 posts
Oct 29, 2013
3:33 PM
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Smoke, I think lessons are a great idea. Ronnie Sellist teaches online lessons at www.harmonica123.com. He can help you with amp questions too. I've taken lessons from Ronnie; he is a very good teacher.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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SmokeJS
174 posts
Oct 29, 2013
4:02 PM
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Thanks Rick. I've got several teachers in mind and Ronnie is one of them. As a former guitar teacher I've experienced good teacher/student connections and poor ones often depending upon approach, perceptions, misconceptions and personalities. So my approach will be to work with a teacher for four lessons then take some time off to evaluate the experience. Then I'll try another teacher for comparitive purposes. I might do this several times but I believe that before too long I'll find a good fit.
Thanks to all who listened. I'll likely pass on an amp that's more than I can use now even if there was a way to adapt it for home use. But then Rick posts Amp Porn and turns my crank!
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Rick Davis
2627 posts
Oct 29, 2013
5:16 PM
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Sorry, man.. ;-)
Your plan for lessons sounds good. A buddy of mine takes Skype lessons from Jimi Lee and he has made remarkable progress. We hire Ronnie to give group seminars for the Mile High Blues Society (and I've taken private lessons from him) and he is a great teacher; makes it all so clear. Lessons from good teachers are soooooo worth the money. Especially because they inspire you to practice more.
If you are set on getting a bigger amp you might think about the Mission Delta Sonic: 15 watts in a tweed Harvard cab, killer tone, line out, very big sound for it's size and power. Under $900. The bigger 32-20 amp might be a bit much for your basement.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Oct 29, 2013 5:17 PM
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Greg Heumann
2432 posts
Oct 29, 2013
8:11 PM
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Lessons. But know that a Kalamazoo HELPS to make you sound good and because it has a fair bit of natural break-up, it may delay your really understanding and improving your mic technique. A significantly larger amp will help with that - but if you're only playing for you, who cares? Go for the lessons.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Oct 29, 2013 8:11 PM
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Joe_L
2382 posts
Oct 29, 2013
11:24 PM
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I'd suggest option C. Spend money on records, listening to them and practicing what you hear.
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Kingley
3238 posts
Oct 29, 2013
11:32 PM
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Joe makes a very good point. The old school way of learning is a tried and trusted method. It's how almost every great player learnt their craft. Plus you also end up with a superb record collection. I'd go with option C.
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SmokeJS
175 posts
Oct 30, 2013
3:32 AM
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My guess is learning to play by mostly listening to others requires a gene the good and the great players have but I don't! I can hear the music as well as anyone but hearing, listening and applying is a magical combination that seems to elude me. With a more structured approach I can learn to imitate. That has lead to some creativity but nothing good players would turn their heads for. But it's enough to keep me coming back. As a famous police officer once said "A man's got to know his limitations." Lessons on a semi-regular basis are a good idea for me. PS: You should see my the size of my CD/record collection!
Last Edited by SmokeJS on Oct 30, 2013 3:37 AM
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Frank
3145 posts
Oct 30, 2013
5:03 AM
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A teacher is not a magic bullet - They are a wonderful resource and a blessing, as are books and websites...
My point is this - Getting a Teacher or a Book, a video etc..."is the easy part"
Practicing the Patience, Discipline, and Focus to truly benefit from "a lesson" is where the rubber meets the road.
In other words - You are ultimately "the teacher" > don't short change "the student" within by rushing the learning process...
(ain't no shortcuts)- they only lead to a waste of your precious time :)
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 30, 2013 5:05 AM
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Rick Davis
2629 posts
Oct 30, 2013
9:38 AM
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Wow, Frank... That was very Zen (and very good)
I've found that for me my practice time and quality goes way up if I have to face my teacher every week.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Oct 30, 2013 9:42 AM
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