in the recent SPAH magazine the publisher spoke on driving while harping and the possible hazards of it......you need your eyes on the road but only one hand on the wheel.....does anybody look at their harps whilst playing????and those numbers on the 10 holes,why are they there????I play and drive......but dont do phones while driving,which is definitely a hazard
I started playing while driving to help keep me awake. My drive is about 160 miles round trip, and sometimes that's the only thing keeping me from waking up in a ditch. Since you breath harder when playing than when driving, there should be more O2 going to the brain which should keep a person more alert. I wouldn't play a Trombone while driving though, that could be a bit distracting.
+1 Flbl I too started playing while driving 45 years ago. I have an hour commute each way and no chance I would have escaped waking up in a ditch without playing. Recently I started playing a small keyboard one hand and a sax, but only the harp keeps me awake.
in case it has not been deciphered......DWH.....driving whilst harping......again.......why do they put numbers on the holes.....we learned to count to 10 at 4 or 5 years
I never think about the numbers unless they aren't there, the absence kind of stands out. I think they were put there as a visual reference maybe more out of habit, and the fact that they can't be seen while playing got overlooked, unless you can lip read. Other instruments use reference points, guitars have dots on the fret board.
Ten hole harmonicas aren't the only ones to have numbers, Chromatics do too,
16 hole chromes since they have an extra low octave number the holes 1 thru 4, for the low octave, then starting on middle C or hole 1 thru 12 for the other three octaves, but not always, some go get numbered 1 thru 16.
The numbers may help someone first starting out but after that I doubt they get used much, like I said the only time I notice is when I don't see them.
I try to avoid playing harp while driving. Have done it, not for about 5 years now. I mainly drive around town and I’m shifting gear a lot so fairly easy to avoid the temptation. I do play while walking, if circumstances don’t preclude it.
Numbers? It’s been so long that I think I’m actually reliant on them for orientation. I feel a bit lost when they’re gone. I have a 365, no numbers on that and I was playing in 3rd which I haven’t done a real lot of. The combo of long harp, bigger spacing and no numbers with a less-familiar position had me double-taking on the fills. I realised I do look for the number first in that 4 5 6 7 zone. Agree it’s not a big deal but it’s my habit.
I'm with Bronze here. Never really took it up unless it was maybe in a traffic jam or waiting on the road. I am easily distracted so that's good that I don't play and drive. We make fun of women doing makeup, people talking on cells, texting, eating, tuning the radio or slapping a cd into a player while driving, why would playing harp be less a distraction?
Mostly I don't need the numbers. They are a visual cue but the way I have my harps in my case and take each one out pretty much guarantees they will be right side up. ----------
+2 for Bronze. I DWH’d during my hour commute when I first played. But I got increasingly uncomfortable with what seemed to be long stretches of the drive that I just didn’t remember because my mind was so focused on the harp. Picture rear ending someone or worse. I’ll break my rule for a moment or two on rare occasions when I hear something I want to give a quick try. I don’t think it’s really that different from getting absorbed by a phone conversation. The numbers tell me which side is up.... ---------- Phil Pennington
Superbee, I touch type and rarely look at the keyboard, but I tried one of those labelless ones once and I was lost.
I don't harp and drive. Aside from the distraction factor (although I do sing and drive, sometimes trying to keep new lyrics in my head as I make them up) I've got a standard. Most of my drives are pretty short anyways. On the long drives I do actually compose a lot of lyrics. When I'm smart I bring something to record them on, or sometimes write them down at the lights... even occasionally pull off into a parking lot.
Bronze, how do you handle keeping track of what you change?
I always drive and harp. It's an automatic tranny so I'm cool. Once the harp is in my mouth I don't think about it. I drive completely left brain and the right brain is playing the harp. I don't know if it's a good idea for some people though. ---------- Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time. Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark .
Jim Morrison said it best “keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.” There are too many distracted drivers out there. Play yer harps when you’re not ednagering someone else!
Rarely have I done this but I try not to. Even if your eyes are on the road if your playing harmonica your mind isn't 100% on the road. Not to mention the only thing I can practice while driving is noodling cause anything else requires more thought. When it's time for practice I practice and nothing else. When it's time for driving I drive and nothing else.
Engaging in DWH would take my attention away from dodging all the distracted drivers typing away on their cell phones.
I'm just not a multi-tasker, although I do like WWH (walking while harping). It's a good way to keep time, and erases the monotony of walking to nowhere.
I used to travel a lot on flat, straight interstate highways with light traffic, and safely engaged in DWH. I would stop playing if traffic picked up or there were construction zones. I never would DWH in urban traffic or when taking an exit. The interstates around here are VERY straight.
However, one day after safely driving past my exit because my attention was on my practice, I stopped doing this. I had always maintained an awareness of traffic around me and road hazards, but I neglected to focus on taking the exit to my destination. I took the next one...
I decided that practice (and driving) each deserved my full attention, and have not continued the practice of DWH. ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 07, 2018 5:04 PM
nacoran, a lot of it is just getting the right feel in my throat in terms of relaxing, aiming for the resonance on the right part of the mask, and balancing breath flow and abdominal tension as I move from low to high and back. It's a muscle memory exercise.
I am exploring overtones as well so may just have some vowel movements. Ooo-eee etc.
I will also repeat singing a new song so I don't have to worry about recalling lyrics on stage.
If I am working on one of my own songs, I often sing while riding my bike and stop and record new/changed lyrics.
I agree that constant practice is key to better playing. I just don't see doing it while piloting 2 tons of steel down a highway as an optimal time to do it. I can see the headline now. Man eats tin sandwich during collision. ----------
I've been and continue to practice while driving for the last 30 years plus. A 5 minute or 5 hour drive. I use CD's I've burnt with the tracks I'm wanting to learn. Have I been involved in shunts? yes. While or because I was playing, no. The only thing I'd not thought about is the airbag issue. I've only had a car with any airbags in the last 5 years! I'll continue to practice and drive
DWH I do, A LOT -On Straight Roads. I often record a short riff or passage off of a CD or youtube and put it on repeat to practice on the road. These days I play a whole lot of off beat things and have to play the role of different instruments. I think the harp can do anything so I get pretty ambitious.
I often play while riding my bicycle home from work, about 30 min ride (going to work I'm usually in too much of a hurry). Usually it's just whatever is challenging at the time, like challenging patterns or riffs or jumping between different bends or different vibratos, ob's and stuff like that. Mechanical woodshedding. My lungs get a good workout too and I think I get better stamina and handling playing at more stressful situations.
Focused practice generally means practicing a specific problem area rather than complete focus of attention. Practicing can be done with about the same amount of attention as holding a conversation with passengers. I doubt if its possible to focus 100% of your attention on driving. Driving requires less attention than walking down a busy sidewalk. Its just that the consequences of a mistake are much higher.
eebadeeb sez "Focused practice generally means practicing a specific problem area rather than complete focus of attention."
Not in my classroom it doesn't.
Focus of attention is something to be learned - it's not easy, but extremely valuable when practicing. This is one reason I developed my "5 min/day" practice concept. To teach focus of attention and discipline in practicing. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Mar 13, 2018 12:03 PM
Straight roads in the middle of nowhere where the traffic is as likely to be deer or bear as cars is where I sometimes practice phrases while I'm driving. That's particularly true for gaining muscle memory and speed. Somehow, practicing AND looking forward watching for deer/bear/cars for the last 40 years hasn't been a challenge. I'm thinking some of you all best follow your own advice and not try it though.
Rontana has a better idea. I did WWH many times early on. While there may be exceptions to any rule I would/will not ever engage in playing an instrument when I'm driving. I rarely even eat behind the wheel unless I'm sitting still. ----------
In case anyone is wondering about the score: 19 members (I think, maybe 20) posting on this thread the score is currently around only 5 say yes to DWH while 11 are opposed. There are 4 non-votes; a couple who haven’t really stated a position and a couple comments about bicycles.
Walking while harping - at least out in the sticks where I live - is just fun. I don't know how focused it is, but my outings are not what I consider practice. They just make me happy.
Focused practice, of the sort Iceman mentions, is an entirely different animal. There's a cool feeling from being totally focused on something for a brief period of time, and the results (good ones) can blow your mind.
I really learned the benefits of focus a bit late, during a period of time when I was doing a hell of a lot of target shooting. I now can get the same feeling when doing other things (including harp)
Last Edited by Rontana on Mar 13, 2018 2:43 PM
walking while harping is a good approach to help with timing and consistency.
Once you set a comfortable walking pace, you usually are pretty consistent as long as you don't think about it. Rarely does one walk by slowing down and speeding up (unless you are going up and down hills). Therefore, your body works as a metronome. Then, just attach what you are playing to this internal metronome. Great way to practice your "grooves" or "Hut-tah"s. ---------- The Iceman
I have heard of fatalities caused by people texting while driving. I have heard of fatalities caused by people either being intoxicated with alcohol or with drugs while driving. I have heard of fatalities caused by people talking on their cell phones while driving. And of course of people who speed beyond their driving capabilities or their vehicles capabilities. We are human and always find ways to die in different ways. I've spent an hour looking for anyone killed while driving and playing any musical instrument and not found a single example. I'd suggest that if you live in the western world there are many other things that are gonna get you killed before driving and playing a harmonica unless you are a completely useless driver. And like every thing we do in life, pick your time. Low visibility, bad weather along with other driving conditions should be taken into consideration. When someone can come up with some decent statistics that shows it's positively dangerous rather than someones opinion that it's dangerous I will continue to play while I drive as I've done for the last 40 plus years. If it's good enough for Kim Wilson! and he can play. If it worries you don't do it. None of you are ever going to encounter me on the roads unless you're in the Southern Highlands in NSW Australia and are coincidentally out for a drive at exactly the same time I am. So you can all rest easy
Last Edited by John M G on Mar 14, 2018 4:16 AM
We toured the US last year pulling a 27' travel trailer. My worst offense was a bottle of water. I stopped smoking cigs nearly 6 years ago and the weed has been out of the picture for 31 years nearly. Same with alcohol. Coffee is for sitting at home or out to eat. My copilot has always kept up good conversation and slapped CD's in. Along with watching the map. Over about 10k miles, no mishaps. If you look on youtube you can see horrendous wrecks with rv's and travel trailers, and many times they are caused by a crosswind or inconsiderate driver. It does not take much in any case whether you are towing or driving. Distraction of any kind at that one moment can spell disaster.
John M G, more power to you. I hadn't planned to visit Oz anyway. ----------
For the past 9 years I've averaged about 45000 miles a year, minimum 3 hours, and some times as much as 5 hours a day on the road, and thats after a 10 hour work day, I'll do what i can to keep awake, I drink coffee, I'll smoke talk on the phone, play the harmonica, what ever works cause the most distracting the for a driver is to wake up with your head on the passenger seat, after driving your car 100 feet into a swamp.
Before you say people shouldn't drink coffee when they drive think about that.
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