Bugsy
20 posts
Nov 28, 2011
5:13 PM
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When I jam by myself (which is the only thing I do), I feel stale. It feels like I do the same things over and over again, and even when I try to change it up, it still just sounds alike.
How do I fix that?
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Nickapalooza86
9 posts
Nov 28, 2011
5:20 PM
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Happens to me all the time. I just listen to a lot of different players usually get some new ideas and that helps me out quite a bit.
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jimbo-G
48 posts
Nov 28, 2011
6:23 PM
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I was there about a week ago but I started listning to different players and thought that I will never be able to sound exactly the same because I'm not them, so I started copying their licks but making it how I would play it. I also found some different scales and played around with them. I'm now learning new stuff and really enjoying my playing at the end of the day I think its about enjoyment and should always be fun.
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STME58
30 posts
Nov 28, 2011
8:05 PM
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I know what you mean. No matter where I start I seem to end up back in the same rut. I started listening to internet radio stations where I can hear a lot of differnt players. This both inspiring and disheartening as I see how far away form truly good playing I am.
Tonight I had a chance meeting with someone who gives lessons. I think getting together with other players would help. Especially better players.
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FMWoodeye
60 posts
Nov 28, 2011
8:35 PM
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@Jimbo-G Yeah, this has worked for me. I might listen to some of Jason Ricci's impossible licks, but change them in a way that I can "sort of" capture the sound while bringing it into the realm of my technical ability.
You might even grasp a part of a lick. Beware of the Bengal Tiger trap of being dazzled by a brilliant player and becoming discouraged. You can always take something away from one of these videos, however small. I listened to the Ricci version of Amazing Grace (great) and Howard Levy's (great but different) and stole components of each and incorporated them into my own humble version.
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jbone
693 posts
Nov 28, 2011
9:59 PM
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go another direction. try out some jimmy reed 1st position, or some george smith 3rd. get a chromatic and learn a bit about how to work it. get a hohner 365 and try out some sbII licks on the low end. put some country on the player ala willie nelson with mickey rafael and give that a try. or follow the horn or keyboard lines instead of the vocal lines or guitar lines.
or forget all that and just work on making as many different sounds as possible on one harp.
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jimbo-G
49 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:37 AM
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@ FMwoodeye, that is exactly what I was talking about, jasons videos are very good. the idea that whatever you play, learn it backwards is an amazing idea it opened up a new world to me, and using different triplets chained together to get your speed up.
Jason put a video on his channel of when he was young and not the best player, compared to the weapon that he is now. when I watched it it gave me a massive boost, it just shows that everyone has to start somewhere.
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Frank
54 posts
Nov 29, 2011
3:48 AM
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Since you keep playing the same thing over and over and over, that tells me you have those licks, patterns, phrases, scales, dynamics, etc. etc. down to the point they are 2nd nature and are ingrained in your mind! Time to discipline yourself to consciously do things differently... WHAT those different things are - are up to you? Remember learning the harmonica is a MARATHON not a sprint. If you never give up seeking to break through the RUTS, you WILL discover what your long to understand and accomplish on the harp.
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Michael Rubin
350 posts
Nov 29, 2011
5:53 AM
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Although I am known as a theory guy, tone is king. Consider the rudiments of the harp. Single notes played tongue blocked, puckered and U blocked. Bends. Overblows. High note bends and overdraws. Vibrato with hands, jaw, throat, diaphragm, tongue. Muting with hands. Different hand grips. Tongue artoculations, glottal articulations, legato articulations, Octaves, double stops, tongue switching, tongue pulls and slaps, drones,shakes, tongue flutters, tongue warbles, etc. I used to write these out on a spreadsheet marked for the days of the week and spend 5 minutes a day on each technique. Then I would jam for fun. At the end of a year, I might be playing the same licks but boy would they sound better!
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Honkin On Bobo
844 posts
Nov 29, 2011
7:52 AM
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Somebody just posted what was essentially the same question a few days ago, though his phrasing was different. I think it was Sonny, and he referred to losing his passion. To me, "losing ones passion", "getting stuck in a rut" are all part of the same problem.
The good news is you can take comfort in the fact that it happens to a lot of players, and probably even in disciplines other than music, the bad news is there is no "one size fits all" solution.
I think the problem stems from the fact that once you get past the pure beginner stage of trying to learn an instrument, that's when the real work starts. Refining techniques, attempting new styles, adding a particular passage or song to your repertoire, trying to consistently hit notes/bends that give you trouble and genearally tightening up your skill can all seem like work. You now know enough to know what something is supposed to sound like, and you can't quite get it.
When you're brand new to the instrument, all instruction,everything feels like a wonderful revelation, some of that wonder is bound to fade as one attempts to truly become a master of their instrument. At least that's what I'm telling myself to rationalize my own current rut ;).
Maybe this is the point where a really fine teacher is a potential solution for you, the kind whose strength is in recognizing what areas you really need to improve upon and devising a somewhat fun way for you to pursue those solutions, rather than someone who is technically brilliant himself (though those are not mutually exclusive attributes). Of course, like everything else in the world that takes $$$$, so maybe that's not an option.
Anyway, there's a lot of great suggestions in this thread and others on MBH. Hang in there Bugsy and good luck with it.
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geordiebluesman
514 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:03 PM
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Here's another solution to the dreaded stuck in a rut syndrome, pick a song and learn it, there are a few reasons why this helps.
First off the song will contain riffs that you don't currently play thus breaking the habit of playing the same old riffs.
Second you will find yourself focusing on the structure of the song and this will improve your ear.
Third it will give you a focus and an achievable goal which will raise your spirit when you make it.
Fourth it will give you a song that you can perform rather than just playing random runs and licks.
Pick a song within your ability range so that you're not overwhelmed, Slim Harpo might do the job, invest in a copy of the Amazing Slowdowner it is invaluable for disecting and learning in bite sized chunks.
And lastly be consistent with it, give yourself a month if you need it don't pressurize yourself relax and HAVE FUN!
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2011 2:04 PM
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STME58
32 posts
Nov 30, 2011
7:59 AM
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Based on the recomendations here, I stopped by my local music store and picked up a Hal Leonard book of Little Walter tunes with sheet music,tabs and a CD with demo and jam traks. It is a push for me techically with lots of split cords. I am looking forward to getting some time with the book and a CD player to try it out and see if I can get a handle on some of the tunes.
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Fingers
125 posts
Nov 30, 2011
12:17 PM
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I played with bands for years! and got bored with it all and never played for 3 years! i bought Adams lessons on Sonny boy 1, and am spending quality time perfecting a whole new style of playing! it has given my harp playing a whole new lease of life! and without wanting to open a can of worms i think it is harder playing solo than playing in a band (well it is for me LOL).
@ Geordie! your post is spot on!
Last Edited by on Nov 30, 2011 12:19 PM
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strawwoodclaw
286 posts
Nov 30, 2011
2:38 PM
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if you can't afford the amazing slow downer you can download Best Practice for free which does the same thing.
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FMWoodeye
70 posts
Nov 30, 2011
8:16 PM
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OR...see if you can borrow a trombone. After a couple of weeks of dicking around with that, the harp will seem exciting again.
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Mojokane
475 posts
Nov 30, 2011
11:51 PM
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what's the rush?
..you will eventually find a way to keep yourself interested, if you want it bad enough.
Passion can get you through the un inspired..
and ofcourse, a support group to share ideas and learn new things.
right here..
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by on Dec 01, 2011 12:00 AM
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