MichaelAndrewLo
1 post
Aug 28, 2009
3:30 PM
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I have been lurking here for a bit and have recently started a youtube channel about a project that I started to improve my harmonica playing drastically. Basically my goal is to put in 5000 hours of practice over a reasonable period of time. My name is Andrew and my youtube username is: The5kproject
I have already been practicing a boatload so it is a natural extension of my practicing efforts. I am starting off my practice with an average of 5 hours a day and will hopefully increase as time allows. I will upload progress videos and updates as much as possible. Feel free to subscribe if you'd like to follow my progress! Here are some links to my initial videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/The5kproject
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxjsX8MVV8U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9ebwpsONqY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBvM9P_I11E
Thanks for reading!
Andrew
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jonsparrow
866 posts
Aug 28, 2009
3:43 PM
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hi.
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RyanMortos
269 posts
Aug 28, 2009
4:06 PM
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Hello, sounds like you're doing what everybody else already does. Had trouble watching your videos, I think you should try to set your laptop somewhere stationary like a coffee table so it doesn't shake so much.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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tookatooka
425 posts
Aug 28, 2009
4:07 PM
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Hello Michael, welcome to the forum. You have quite an interesting project on your hands there, it will be good to follow your progress and see how you get on. I was hoping you were going to be starting as a complete beginner but I note you are starting as someone who has a fair grasp of the basics already - however it will be good to follow your progress. I hope you have plenty of lip balm to hand as I'd suspect your lips will be sore from time to time.
Just one thing from a viewers viewpoint. You seem to have your laptop balancing on your knees. I can understand that's for your comfort but it's a bit uncomfortable for us to watch when you get in the groove and it starts bouncing up and down.
However good luck with it all, I hope and think you'll probably crack it in under the 5000 hours from what I've seen already.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Aug 28, 2009 4:08 PM
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MichaelAndrewLo
2 posts
Aug 28, 2009
5:52 PM
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Thanks for the feedback! In addition to stationary videography I will work on possibly making it brighter. While I am sure that everybody here practices a lot, I haven't seen any youtubers developing structured practice regimens and charting their progress step by step, like that of the guitarist doing the 10kproject (which is my inspiration for this). At least, I haven't seen any for harmonica...
While I am not a complete beginner, I still have been playing a very short time but yes limp balm has gotten me far in that time. I used to be addicted to that stuff from clarinet! Those reeds can certainly suck all the life outta your lips!
www.myspace.com/payyourduesbluesduo
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harmonicanick
354 posts
Aug 29, 2009
12:34 AM
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Andrew,
Now sit down and calm yourself please.
You are enthusiastic and inspired nobody is arguing with that.
Just relax and let the groove take you, enjoy yourself, you are not taking a blues exam!!
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MichaelAndrewLo
3 posts
Aug 29, 2009
1:10 AM
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haha, Thanks harmonicanick! You are right, no blues exam! I'm just making a plan to guide my hard work for accomplishing my goals and dreams. I figure if I show other people it will give me a little more accountability to myself than had I not.
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congaron
94 posts
Aug 29, 2009
11:58 AM
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I am blessed with a job where I can play for hours a day at work...usually. I am hearing we are about to lose two days a week out of the schedule, so now I will have days at home to practice..and maybe look for a different job...lol. Practice makes perfect? No. Perfect practice makes perfect. It's like any other instrument. If you learn it wrong, you will reach a wall, so follow the gussow lessons! Get some private ones if you can! Arrogance will hold you back too. Go for it and be critical! Listen to credible critiques (get a good instructor)and apply and do over...and over...and over...and over...
And don't forget to have fun!
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MichaelAndrewLo
4 posts
Aug 29, 2009
1:57 PM
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Thanks for the tips congaron. I forgot to mention that Adam Gussow's lessons are my main meal! Youtube really has helped create a feast of incredibly good harmonica knowledge. I will be feasting a lot from this buffet.
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stashburner
3 posts
Aug 30, 2009
1:08 PM
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Hey Michael and everyone else,
Like you, I have been lurking on the forum for about 6 months just reading and learning. Have never felt like I've had to much to add to the conversations, but wow, have I learned a lot from you guys. I'm maybe just past a raw beginner as I have been consistently practicing for about 4 months now. I've got most of keys now in various brands. Single notes are OK, bends are so so and can kind of fumble my way through a 12 bar progression.
I guess my brothers bad luck was my good luck. He fell on some really hard times and I let him move in my basement. He is a blues guartist and brought along all his equip. Several mikes, 5 amps, multiple guitars. He is knowledgeable on amp and guitar repair. He gave me a 1952 Valco amp that needs some board work, I've got a pretty good basic electrical knowledge, so I believe I can get this amp up and going. I have already caught EAS (equipment acquasition syndrone) haha. Is there any medicine for this besides good liquor.He is working with me on music theory. I don't which is harder, music theory or harp playing, I struggle with both but it's great to have someont to play with. He is very patient and encouraging.
I've started out with Adam's beginner videos, John Gindicks Rock and Roll Harmonica, and Bavid Barrett's Basic Blues Harmonica Method. Any other recommendations by you guy's would be appreciated and any practice tips to work on.
Now for the really fun part, my wife. I'm now converting the basement in a practice room, Bought a shed, moved all the crap from the basement to it, tore out the garage doors and framed them in and now framing in the basement. She seems to be going ape shit, but is overall supportive.
I must say that this have given me new motivation to accomplish something. I've needed for a long time. I've been a blues addict for a very long time and can't wait to be able to play in front of people. I hope to form a duo with my brother and play local gigs. I'm in birmingham, al.
I'm fortunate that there is a real honest to goodness juke joint here called Gip's. Been around for several decades. Have seen some great harp players over the last year. He brings in a lot of hill country acts from Miss. Mr. Gip is about 85 years old and gives me great motivation to learn to play. I'm 51 so I figure I've got about 40 more years to hone this in. haha Saw Adam and Satan there a while back. Saw Jason Ricci the last Thurs. at another club. What great inspiration these guy's are.
Look forward to knowing all of you. You all seem to give beginners a lot of attention as opposed to just being experts who don't want to share anything like a lot of outer foruns and this I greatly appreciate. I hope that I can contribute in the future.
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Bb
81 posts
Aug 30, 2009
3:25 PM
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Hey, Stashburner. I'm here in Birmingham too. You're right, Gip's is a real treasure.
-Bob
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MichaelAndrewLo
6 posts
Aug 30, 2009
3:36 PM
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Hey stashburner, you should post videos tracking your progress on youtube it would be cool to see your journey as well!
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3 cav 84a
11 posts
Aug 30, 2009
4:49 PM
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Welcome Michael and Stashburner, I am nearly 59 years old and have been at it for a couple of years, the best thing I found to help me was Adam's lessons on uTube and learning the "Nashville Numbers "system. Stash your brother would know what these are and it simplifies all the scales because you don't have to know all the notes for different keys
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/members/profile/1667556/sorin.htm
If you check this link out you will see a diagram of it, all the best Neil
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stashburner
4 posts
Aug 30, 2009
7:34 PM
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Thanks Guy's,
Neil, I'll check out the Nashville Numbers system, thanks. Michael, as soon as I can figure out how to post you tubes, I'll give it a shot, though my practice time is not near as ambitious as yours, I'm doing good to get in an hour a day plus a few on weekends so I expect my progress to be much slower than yours. Bob, see ya at Gip's, there are some great acts coming up. I rarely miss. Looking forward to seeing harp player Billy Gibson in November with Little G Weevil. Everyone, check out Mr. Gip's at www.myspace.com/gipsjukejoint
If anyone from out of town would like to go, let me know and we'll hook up
Steve
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the frozen canuck
50 posts
Aug 31, 2009
8:57 AM
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hey there,stashburner,join the 50`s club ,just turned 50 been playing for about 14 mths,practice w/band 2 night a week & too & frm work every day 20min each way.On saturday the band had a chance to play a street party,all went very well & we all had a good time,we played for an hour & a half. Welcome to all the new commers Micheal &stashburner.keep practiceing & most of all have a good time
.
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stashburner
5 posts
Sep 01, 2009
8:38 AM
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Hey Canuck,
14 months and already playing with a band, very impressive. I'm curious as to where you think your level of playing is and at what point should someone be at to feel confident to play in public. I was thinking I needed a couple of years of woodsheding to reach that, but maybe I'm wrong. I know that everyone progresses at a different pace but I'm interested in your opinion on this. According to Adam's criteria I think I have crossed into the intermediate area and maybe a small amount of advanced intermediate.
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MichaelAndrewLo
8 posts
Sep 01, 2009
2:49 PM
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Hey stashburner, I say just go for it and play out as much as possible. Playing in public really energizes you to practice more and get better. I have found things get really stale for me if I am just practicing by myself without playing out at all. my 2cents, plus interest
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