Hello Everyone, My name is Dean and I hail from the Fremont Ohio Area (between Toledo and Cleveland almost along the lake). I am in my mid 30s and have been a drummer for almost 20 of those years. I have loved the sound of blues harmonica for a long time but never really gave it a far shot at learning it. Well, I decided if I don't commit to it I am never going to learn it or know if I can play it. At the beginning of May I purchased a few lessons from Mr. Gussow and bought a special 20 and marine band in C to get started. I seem to like the special 20 more, not sure why but so far that is where I am at. I have been practicing at least 30mins a day at least 5 days a week. I recently recorded my practice and edited it down to about a 10min chunk for all to listen to and give me some needed feedback if you all should desire to take a few minutes and listen. Thanks for a great site, and hope to learn much much more in the future
thanks Dean
Last Edited by on Jun 20, 2012 1:43 PM
Hi Dean, welcome to the forum! I'd like to give your file a listen, but the 4shared site requires that I sign up. Do you think you can post the file somewhere that doesn't require a login?
Welcome to the forum. Ya got stones posting a practice video. That may be the birth of a monster. Keep working with the jam tracks, they help volumes which I'm sure you've noticed. Enjoy your new addiction! ---------- Brad
welcome Dean! lots of helpful folks here so don't be afraid to ask questions ---------- Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
welcome Dean! i am a gut player, rarely had an actual lesson and as a result it took me decades to make the kind of progress i see people making in months these days. the internet is a wonderful thing!
if you use a student mindset and allow yourself to learn from what you see and hear you will do well and it probably won't take decades like it did me.
i have not bought a marine band for a long time now. i used sp20's for a lot of years and still have a couple but i have moved on to other brands and models. what you like is the right harp. the sp20 has always been a consistent and even tempered harp to me. it's a great work horse harp. i prefer a replaceable reed plate and some different features in my everyday practice and gig harps however, but i would never turn down a sp20!
i got to meet Adam a couple of years ago when he offered to do a short seminar here on his way someplace else west of here. good guy, very brilliant and a good judge of musical character as well as a great teacher! if you ever have a chance i imagine a harp seminar or gathering may be a big help and a lot of fun.
hope to see you hanging out Dean! i will have a report on tonight's gig at a local joint called- THE JOINT- tomorrow! ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
You’re doing a fine job. I’m glad to hear that you’re working the harp from top to bottom. In time, you’ll begin to relax a bit and let go of any tension in your body as you play. Then, something is going to happen. Your drumming skills will begin to surface. You come to the table with a built-in sense of timing, rhythm and hitting the beat. It will do wonders for your syncopation. When I was learning a new chug at the bottom end, I would tap it on the table with my hands first. Left hand – inhale, Right hand – exhale. It helped me coordinate my breathing a lot.
Thanks guys for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it. I have yet to find a teacher that I can take lessons from live and in person so I thought this would be a great way to get some feedback
