mr_so&so
479 posts
Nov 25, 2011
10:30 AM
|
Like many people here, I can mark the beginning of my actual learning of the harp as the moment I discovered Adam's YouTube lessons. So If I reckon correctly, by next spring I'll have been playing, on average, an hour a day for 5 years.
It's only been relatively recently though that I've begun to feel like I can actually play this instrument. Let's say between 4 and 4.5 years in. This is more of a gut knowing -- confidence in my playing -- I'm talking about, rather than measuring myself on Adam's scale (where I've been intermediate+ for quite a while now).
To make it more concrete, I feel very comfortable in 2nd position. I can play through the 12-bar progression, following the chord changes, figure out the key to a song quickly, and jam along, improvising in a structured way. I know enough theory for my comfort (your needs may vary), and I'm branching out into other positions. I'm thinking "finally, my work is paying off".
It would be interesting to hear from you, how long before you felt you got a handle on the harp?
----------
|
nacoran
4979 posts
Nov 25, 2011
12:07 PM
|
I've been at it 3 years. Most of the time I feel pretty confident that I won't drive people off. I haven't really sat down and figured out how much I practice. We have a band practice once a week and we go to an open mic now once a week, with one extra thrown in once a month, and 2 songwriters' circle a month, plus whatever I do around the house. Hour wise we are probably in the same ballpark. Let's call it the 1000-1500 hour mark?
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
bharper
110 posts
Nov 25, 2011
3:27 PM
|
I had my first pro gig 3 years after I started playing. I felt pretty good about it.
|
STME58
24 posts
Nov 25, 2011
4:53 PM
|
I started playing one to two hours a day about 3 years ago. I attended my first blues jam a couple of weeks ago and did not embarrass myself.
I still can not pick up a harp and get the melody in my head to come out through the harp without a lot of trial and error.
I remember hearing fo a book in which the main concept was that now matter what skill you are working on, somewhere around 2000 hours is required for journeyman proficiency and 6000 hours to take it up to the top levels. The hours to proficeincy are similar whether you are training to be a pilot, athlete, actor or a musician.
|
Littoral
432 posts
Nov 26, 2011
6:22 AM
|
I have a lot of confidence but I am very aware of my limitations, so I know I better duck sometimes. Those are the times I don't know how to play this thing. I know that's true for any of us.
The first time I really believed I could play? About 3 years in when I sat in with a band and I everybody loved it. Great feeling, I'll never forget.
|
Blueharper
193 posts
Nov 26, 2011
7:02 AM
|
I would say I'm an intermediate player and have had more than a few paying gigs,and have been asked to sit in. But occasionally I wont play for weeks~but just listen to many different blues players. I swear when I start playing again I am better.
Am I fooling myself,or has anyone else experienced this?
|
Littoral
433 posts
Nov 26, 2011
8:10 AM
|
Blueharper@" Am I fooling myself,or has anyone else experienced this?"
This is well documented. Clapton is one I can think of in particular who puts it down for extended periods. Adrian Belew and King Crimson on Discipline sing about it.
I think not playing tempers some bad habits. Playing a lot more tempers bad habits too. I practiced Amazing Grace for about 7 straight hours to find out if I could do it justice. It wasn't about the notes, it was about, ah, well, I'll just have to post my Christmas video of it. I promised others I would so now I've committed.
|
Blueharper
194 posts
Nov 26, 2011
2:15 PM
|
Thanks Littoral~ glad to know I'm not all the way nuts!
|
nacoran
4993 posts
Nov 26, 2011
2:33 PM
|
I think it's got something to do with memory consolidation theory Blueharper.
It took a 20 year layoff before I understood the circle of fifths.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
Tommy the Hat
465 posts
Nov 26, 2011
2:35 PM
|
@Blueharper
"Am I fooling myself,or has anyone else experienced this?"
Funny you mention this. I was just thinking about this the other day. I have felt like this myself and wondered if it could be true. Actually I have felt this in other endeavors also.
As far as the original question, I am far from being able to say "I can play this thing."
But someone in this thread mentioned being an intermediate. I don't know. I think a lot of you guys here call yourselves intermediate but are just being modest. I would say you were advanced. Being a raw beginner is one thing as is a "beginner." But I think some of you cut yourself short and are thinking that if you aren't a pro then you're not advanced. I think a beginner learns the basics. I think an intermediate is getting a good grasp of those basics. An advanced player is making good use of those basics and improvising by knowing how to alter them within the boundaries of the rules applied. Mixing up the basics and changing them on the fly.
I keep calling myself a beginner. But if I look at Adams criteria I can do all the stuff listed under intermediate. I think I can follow a 12 bar blues progression also...at least to my ears...lol.
Maybe, where we stand or "can I play this thing" isn't for the player to say. maybe it is for others to say about you.
Just my (the one who still can't play this thing) opinion.
----------
Tommy
My Videos
|
