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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
What's your Story?
What's your Story?
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Greyowlphotoart
491 posts
Mar 01, 2011
11:40 AM
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My Story so far – What’s Yours?
As I have mentioned before, I started playing a long time ago and am ashamed to admit that I could probably only play less than 10 songs until fairly recently when I have devoted a lot more time to playing the harp and have learned so much in a short space of time on the internet.
That is not to say I didn’t practice a lot in the early days, it’s just that I didn’t know any other harmonica players to learn from and play with and there was no internet and so I found it difficult to progress. I listened to very little blues then although I really liked the blues!?!! I was listening to a lot of other stuff. There was so much good and innovative music around in the Sixties [and quite a lot of crap as well truth to be told:)], we were spoilt for choice whereas the current trend seems to be latch onto a lucrative style and milk it to death.
I tried to play rock/pop songs all in 2nd position and that at least has held me in good stead because I am comfortable with the lower hole bends and have a reasonable ear which allows me to improv jam to songs.
In fact if anyone wants to improve their low hole bends this really is great practice i.e. trying to play a sweet pop melody say and make a required low bend note sound sweet and at the right pitch is a challenge but certainly teaches you to control the bend well over time
I am enjoying playing the harp again immensely and want to do so many things, improve my overblows, get better at customizing, do more high end work, music theory etc., etc.,
What’s your story, when and why did you start playing and what drove you on to improve, did you take to it like a duck to water or was it hard going?
If you’ve only just started playing recently, how’s it going? What are your aspirations. Do you want to busk, play live gigs with a band or on your own, post vids on YouTube, impress friends and family, or maybe just practice and play for your own satisfaction and enjoyment?
It would be nice to hear from new players as well as experienced.
Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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Aussiesucker
779 posts
Mar 01, 2011
5:42 PM
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I commenced playing around age 10 & I am now 70 however I stopped playing because every time I put a harp to my mouth I broke out in nasty blisters ie like cold sores. I later discovered it was an allergy to nickel. I always over the years kept a few harps in my bedside drawer but at every single attempt after a few seconds my reaction would start. I have incidentally never suffered from cold sores.
I only ever progressed to a few 1st pos campfire type tunes. I always played by ear and never had a lesson or read books or listened to any harmonica music. I hated not being able to even noodle away for a few minutes without the cursed reaction.
After retirement I discovered the internet and I found a lot of info about harmonica construction which led me back ca 6 years ago. Hohner confirmed in writing to me that they had ceased using nickel in their diatonics ca 10 years ago. I found that Suzuki, Hohner & Lee Oskars were ok. My main harps are Suzuki and for six years I have not had a problem.
Those first few years on the comeback trail were not easy as I then had a slow dial up internet connection with limited downloads. I invested (wasted) monies on expensive video courses & workshops that made outlandish promises like 'learn to play harmonica in only 7 minutes a day'....etc.
I discovered Adams great site some years back and have purchased Adams downloads & DVD. I have to admit (sacrilege) that I am really not a lover of blues music but do really appreciate the playing skills. I love melodies with a blues feeling. I also love country music.
Being entrenched on playing 1st pos it was like having to play the harp back to front, upside down etc in trying to learn 2nd pos. It's coming, although I must admit that the low end bends are a challenge that I cannot yet properly cope with. But I play by ear and if it has a melody & especially lyrics then I usually can find a way, a position, or a harp tuning that will fit.
Currently I am, and have been now for some years, muddling my way through the Harmonica Academy. I love it as it offers some variety in styles. Fast Celtic & Bluegrass, Blues and even instruction on Tremolo's. Although I prefer to play without backing others attending the Academy say the collection of backing tracks online are worth the price of admission(quote from Hobostubs). I am also taking some online Skype lessons from Ben Bouman.
Where to? It's a hobby for me. I have no aspirations other that to learn more. It's a challenge at my age but some days things flow and on others it's a brick wall. I love it. I am addicted. I get serious GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) on all thing harp, mics amps etc all in the quest for sounding better.
I travel a fair bit around our great open spaces and it is my intention to now record and share some places that I visit along with my harp playing on my Youtube Channel.
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Dog Face
97 posts
Mar 02, 2011
6:38 AM
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I started playing kinda out of a joke. When I was in the Army, we realized we didn't have a harmonica player. Joking around, we figured that in all those old war movies when you see the guys relaxing after a patrol there was always that guy in the background playing a sad song and we didn't have that guy. So I told my buddies, "I'm going to be that guy for you." Haha. So I went out and bought one and went online to learn how, found Adams youtube lessons, and I was hooked. I would break it out from time to time to boost up morale and lighten the mood but to me it had made itself so much more. Playing was (and still is) therapeutic, fun, and a challenge. I haven't been able to put down a harp ever sense.
Right now I'm practicing and practicing not on certain songs but the structure so that I can play at open mics to songs I don't know. I recently stumbled upon an overblow so I've also been practicing those. I have found myself stuck in 1st and 2nd position so I've been working on a 3rd pos scale. My story is short compared to those who have been playing for longer than I've been alive but you gotta start somewhere.
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Be safe, keep the faith, and don't let em tearrrrrr ya down.
Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2011 6:38 AM
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Hobostubs Ashlock
1423 posts
Mar 02, 2011
7:20 AM
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I dont have a story ,I only have songs.
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Hobostubs
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OzarkRich
405 posts
Mar 02, 2011
7:57 AM
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Growing up in the 70's I owned some sort of cheap chromatic. I never did get any good at it but messed around with it a lot. In the 80's I bought several diatonics in an attempt to play along with the hairband/metal stuff. By the 90's Darrell Mansfield and Glenn Kaiser got me more serious about playing. I discovered 2nd position. I bought some instructional books/CDs. In the 90's I played in a praise & worship band for several years. A few years ago I discovered Adam's videos.
Currently I've been coming to terms with the following:
1. Just because I like a style of music doesn't mean I need to learn to play it. Aside from blues, I like hardcore punk, 80's metal, rapcore, mod (both 60's and revival), rockabilly, bluegrass etc. I need to stick with one sound or I'll be forever discouraged and always jumping to different styles, never accomplishing anything.
2. I don't have the knack for jamming/improv etc. My mind goes blank. I do much better at learning songs. Specifically, learning someone else's version and picking it apart till I have it memorized. I'm kinda the opposite of Walter Tore.
3. I need to stick with acoustic playing. Most of my playing is on the job, the back porch, boating, cycling, on the street etc. I spend most of my time with my family (I work second shift so family time is at a premium) so I'm never at clubs or open mics. I like my little Pignose and pedals but all my other stuff is just a result of GAS and is overkill. I also like the idea of replacing a footdrum with a looping pedal/beatboxing but my looper doesn't run on batteries.
4. Reconciling my interest in both blues and gospel; the styles, cultures and philosophies. I've always wavered between the two, embracing one at the expense of the other. I think I'm finally to that point.
5. I need to play in front of people/the camera more. I posted my first vids at the beginning of the year but need to continue. I need to play more on the street and at the park, instead of just on the porch and in the house.
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Ozark Rich
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