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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
The harmonica as a foreign language (SRS software)
The harmonica as a foreign language (SRS software)
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MattC
2 posts
Jan 04, 2012
4:47 PM
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I was watching one of Adam's videos where he says something about how learning the harmonica is sort of like learning a foreign language, that if you want to learn French, you should go to France and immerse yourself in the language, etc.
I think he was mostly trying to emphasize the importance of immersing yourself in the music of the masters, but it got me thinking. What if I actually tried to learn the harmonica the way I learn a new language?
As a traveler who has spent a fair amount of time picking up new languages, I have some idea about what tools and techniques work best for me when doing that. So I'm wondering if they might be useful as I try to learn
"Harmonicanese", specifically the Blues dialect?
One of my favorite tools for language learning is Spaced Repetition System (SRS) software. This software is based on research about how the brain learns and remembers, and is basically a way to create "smart flashcards" which you can review in an intelligent and efficient manner.
The beauty of SRS software is that you are continually reviewing things you have learned, but in an intelligent way. Things you have a harder time with are reviewed more frequently than things which you find easier. You can learn more about SRS here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaced_repetition_system
So it seems like this could also be a great tool for those learning to play the harmonica (or another musical instrument), helping to provide a systematic way to practice and review what you've learned.
I'm thinking that each lesson would add new "facts" (licks, scales, exercises, tunes, etc.) to the deck, and this information could then be systematically reviewed and practiced in the future.
There could be different sorts of "cards" for each fact. For example, assume you are working with a new lick. You could create a single fact about that lick which would contain separate fields of information such as the name of the lick, an audio example of the lick being played (ideally by a skilled player using good technique), the key of harp used, the sheet music, the tab, etc.
Then the software can create cards from that fact to practice and review whatever you want. One card could play the audio and have you try to reproduce it. The "answer" for that card could show the tab to help you if you are having problems figuring out how to play it. Another card might just give you the name of the lick and ask you to play it from memory, with the answer showing both the tab and playing the audio. Another card might display just the tab or sheet music, with the audio as the "answer". And so on.
I'm going to give this a try as I start working more with the harmonica. The plan is to create my "facts" from sources like Adam's videos and the lessons from instructional books such as Harmonica for Dummies. I usually use Anki (a free SRS program) and Audacity (a free audio editing program).
Thoughts? Suggestions? Has anyone tried something like this?
Thanks!
--Matt
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Baker
193 posts
Jan 05, 2012
5:06 AM
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Hi Matt.
This does sound like an interesting approach. I have never been much good with languages, much to my dismay.
I do think however there is an important first step to this process. Learning how to speak, learning how to make the phonetic sounds. By the time many of us start to learn a new language we already know how to make the "oooo" sound or "Ah" sound etc.
I would equate this to technique when apply it to a musical instrument. We nned to learn how to make the sounds which make up words before we can use them to talk.
In Victor Wooten's DVD – Recommended by the late Chris M – which I would also recommend to anyone playing any kind of instrument, he talks about music as a language. How when we learn to speak our first language as children, we learn by trying making mistakes, trying again in an environment where we are encouraged to do so, therefore finding our own individual voice, way of speaking.
It's definitely worth a look, he has some very interesting ideas on music, what it is and how to learn to "speak".
http://www.amazon.com/Victor-Wooten-Groove-Workshop-2-DVD/dp/1423459849/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325768675&sr=8-2
Last Edited by on Jan 05, 2012 5:08 AM
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MattC
6 posts
Jan 05, 2012
2:14 PM
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Baker, thanks for the DVD recommendation. Any experience with Victor's book "The Music Lesson"? I wonder if it covers some of the same ideas? I just downloaded a digital copy from the library, but haven't actually gotten a chance to look at it yet...
One of the things I found about language learning (at least for me personally), and which I suspect is the same for music, is that it is really all about repeating things until it just becomes unconscious and automatic. Learning what "sounds right" and what "sounds wrong". Worrying too much about the rules of grammar, theory, and even about the written representation at the start can be counterproductive. It is important to just listen and try to let the brain figure out the rules on its own. To develop an "ear for the language".
Related to the "learning how to make the phonetic sounds", I've been thinking I should create a deck of "harmonica phonemes" to help me build a solid foundation, so that I can just unconsciously recognize and reproduce them, at least in isolation.
For example, single notes, double stops, and chords each played individually. Basically, you would be presented with a single sound (a single note, double stop, or chord by itself), then have to repeat that sound back. You start out with a small set of these sounds, and keep repeating them, until you are able to accurately and easily recognize and reproduce each of them. You keep adding in a few more sounds to the mix. Eventually, as you keep reviewing and practicing, this should become completely natural and unconcious.
I'm not sure how this will work out in practice, but it is easy pretty easy to try with SRS software. And a similar approach has worked great for me as a first step in learning languages, such as when I was learning the unfamiliar sounds and tones of chinese.
I just have to track down a good source of audio for these "harmonica phonemes". Any suggestions?
--Matt
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MattC
7 posts
Jan 05, 2012
4:52 PM
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So I started reading Victor Wooten's book "The Music Lesson",
http://www.worldcat.org/title/music-lesson-a-spiritual-search-for-growth-through-music/oclc/166360105
And he does discuss how he thinks that learning Music is similar to learning a language. Here is a quote from p. 26:
"There are only two elements that allowed you to become a master of the English language at such a young age. Only two: being surrounded by it, and jamming with it. That’s it! English came quickly and easily to you, and from what you told me, you were also surrounded by Music, so it must be jamming that makes the difference."
“Imagine if we allowed beginners to jam with professionals on a daily basis. Do you think it would take them twenty years to get good? Absolutely not! It wouldn’t even take them ten. They would be great by the time they were musically four or five years old."
Looks like it should be an interesting read.
--Matt
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