12gagedan
235 posts
Jan 03, 2013
3:01 PM
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Dear harmonica community friends and Adam in particular,
I am completely unmotivated to play the harmonica lately.
Last year at this time, my excuses were different, but I felt pretty much the same. Adam's note-for-note "Southbound" contest last year really helped to motivate me into playing more harp. I don't need prizes or competition, as such. I just need a reason. Any chance of a 2013 contest?
Thanks,
Dan G.
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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John95683
43 posts
Jan 03, 2013
3:44 PM
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Geez, Dan, if I could play as good you, I'd play 24/7. I love your instructional videos. Please keep doing them.
John
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Frank
1786 posts
Jan 03, 2013
3:43 PM
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I’ll challenge you to a harmonica duel, if that will help :)
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jim
1354 posts
Jan 03, 2013
4:01 PM
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If you don't feel playing is necessary, then quit.
Motivation is a myth. You either do it - or you don't.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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jim
1355 posts
Jan 03, 2013
4:13 PM
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I know, but unfortunately it's usually meant like this: "please carry me, or drag me, I don't want to walk myself"
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Stevelegh
664 posts
Jan 03, 2013
4:14 PM
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Adam's competition was awesome. It was truly amazing how quickly people copped that solo note for note so quickly. I believe you were one of them Dan.
By the time I'd got anywhere close ton nailing it, the standard was so high I lost my nerve to submit a vid, but I learned a lot and use the 4D - 4OB - 5B lick a lot.
Come on Adam, Dan aside that was one of the best received threads on here ever. And it was about a year ago......
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The Iceman
636 posts
Jan 03, 2013
4:05 PM
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What motivated me during a period when I lost interest was to discover a harmonica player that re-ignited my fire. In the 80's I had lost interest. A friend who owned a record store took me over to the blues section and had me buy 2 Paul DeLay record albums - someone I had never heard of. He told me to listen to this guy.
It worked. Have been inspired ever since.
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The Iceman
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Frank
1789 posts
Jan 03, 2013
4:21 PM
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Ice,ice,man...What are some nuggets of inspiration that Paul blessed you with?
Inspirational message from Kenny Werner "The joy of playing is liberation. The joy of practicing is concentration." Separating these two functions on our minds solves the age-old problem of freedom versus discipline. Instead of them being opposed to each other, they can support each other. Freedom is a great thing. But freedom alone can be boring. I once heard a great Rabbi say that the problem with the 1960's is that people sought "freedom from, not freedom to . . . " Isn't that an amazing realization? Do you get it? Freedom without mastering form and technique leads to stagnation and ultimately, boredom. The true joy of life, the game, if you will, is learning to find freedom in form, mastering the forms and techniques involved in one's art until they are performed effortlessly, until the body and mind can perform automatically. Once those moves are committed to mental and muscular memory, one may play with absolute joy and freedom. In a musical setting it is the performer's liberation that liberates us. It is the truth behind the curtain of entertainment. It's not the music or dance that truly draws us. It's the promise of freedom in our own lives. We are attracted to that freedom like moths to the flame. Fireworks on the 4th of July attract and enchant us because there are even greater fireworks that lie within the human heart! Mastery attracts us because we have the possibility of mastery inside us. Study is the act that supports us. Study is the preparation so the performance can be free and joyful. But study with the assumption that greatness is already present within you. Imagine you are allowing that greatness to emerge more and more by practicing your art or sport.
Last Edited by on Jan 03, 2013 5:35 PM
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FMWoodeye
523 posts
Jan 03, 2013
9:21 PM
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I have a trombone I can loan you if you want to go in another direction.
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Sherwin
1 post
Jan 03, 2013
9:41 PM
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FMwoodeye I laughed out loud when I misread trombone as tombstone
First post, greetings all. See ya around
Michael Mitchell Ottawa Canada
Last Edited by on Jan 03, 2013 9:42 PM
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STME58
344 posts
Jan 04, 2013
12:38 AM
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FMWoodeye's suggetion seems pretty good to me. I find switching instruments to be helpful and a way out of a rut. If you don't want to go as far as a trombone, try a Bawu. It is a fingered reed instrument that some of your harp skill will tranfer to but different enough to be quite a challenge. Like harp,it is a reed instrument, you need a different instrument for each key and it can be played straight or cross. I picked up Pat Missin's instructional book from Amazon and am having a bit of fun with the Bawu. When I get frutrated with the Bawu, I swithch back to harp, or trombone. I think the changeup improves my playing on all of the instruments, although I would not claim to play any of them exceptionally well.
Last Edited by on Jan 04, 2013 12:40 AM
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kudzurunner
3767 posts
Jan 04, 2013
4:00 AM
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Two things strongly motivate me:
1) an upcoming gig. My butt's on the line, I have to deliver. So I practice a lot and get into it.
2) a new piece of music that I want to work out, either my own or something that I've thought up.
If you don't have any gigs, then #2 seems like the way to go.
Next time I get some time, I'm thinking about working out a song called "Sassie Lassie" by the Fil Lorenz Soul-tet. You can hear the head in the following link; it's the fourth song:
http://www.fillorenz.com/soul-tet/
But that's what motivates me: copying some NON-harmonica music--or rather, translating it into harmonica terms.
Something new always comes out of that, and that newness renews my interest in the instrument.
Actually, the song "Stinky Stinky" is great, too.
Last Edited by on Jan 04, 2013 4:02 AM
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jbone
1154 posts
Jan 04, 2013
4:10 AM
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If you are in a rut try something out of the rut. Put some jazz or funk on the player, or bluegrass. Play along with it. Find some harp players you have overlooked and give them a listen for inspiration.
Mickey Raael, Willie Nelson's long time harpman, used to put just anything on the turntable every day and see if he could work out a harp part, everything from classical to gypsy to Asian.
The other direction to go is just to put harp down for a while and then get on a stage with some guys and let it flow. The brain does interesting things while "at rest".
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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Kingley
2108 posts
Jan 04, 2013
7:08 AM
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Some very good advice here.
I find that what works for me is to listen either to someone I haven't heard before. I usually hear something then that stops me and makes me think "Whoa! how did they do that? Damn! I've gotta learn how to do that!" I find that usually does the trick.
Last Edited by on Jan 04, 2013 7:10 AM
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AZBluesHarper
5 posts
Jan 04, 2013
8:59 AM
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Hi Dan…All great suggestions from some very accomplished players (like yourself). Motivation is pretty personal…what motivates me may not interest you at all…and vice versa. And perhaps, something that’s been suggested so far will stir your "motivation pot". Might I add one more thing? I don’t think you and Adam quite realize how many people, like me, you have affected in trying to learn this little instrument! Really, it’s true! I can’t put the damn thing down and I love how I’m getting better each day…mostly because of your (and of course, Adam’s) help!! How many people can REALLY say they have played a role in someone else’s passion? Please don’t discount your contribution…on behalf of the thousands of people out there, I thank you and Adam so much and hope you get your mojo back and we see some more instructional videos soon!!!
Steve
AZBluesHarper
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BikerG
11 posts
Jan 04, 2013
9:43 AM
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After playing harp for over 30 years, I sometimes lose my motivation, too. What brings me around is listening to blues. Ever notice how it's hard to listen without wanting to play along?
Also, get out and listen to live music. And sit in whenever you can.
If all else fails, don't play. Unless you do band gigs, take time off and recharge.
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Rick Davis
1118 posts
Jan 05, 2013
12:04 PM
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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NiteCrawler .
223 posts
Jan 05, 2013
2:57 PM
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Some yers back I had taken a some what of a hiatus from the music scene,bands etc..I had friends asking me are you performing, why aren,t you playing out anymore where at that time the players I played with for yrs did the same,familys,jobs(good paying)etc..I told them I needed a break and was doing alot of listening to different types of music/blues/ reggae/jazz and also some soul searching I guess you could say.I started back up after a while attending some local jams,and when I got the feeling back I went into it again with a whole new attitude.A layoff is good as long as your still keeping your feet wet,getting new ideas to bring to the table when your ready.Keep On Harpin and don,t sweat it, you,ll be back.All The Best and Happy New Year
Last Edited by on Jan 05, 2013 2:59 PM
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The Iceman
639 posts
Jan 05, 2013
3:07 PM
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From what I understand, Rusty Zinn (blues guitarist) burned out on blues a while back and went 100% into Reggae Music for a while.
Now he's back on the blues circuit.
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The Iceman
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12gagedan
237 posts
Jan 05, 2013
7:13 PM
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Thanks guys for some very nice words/advice.
Jim, I used to say the same sort of thing about others, not understanding how one could ever go a day w/o playing harp, but as my life has gotten more complicated, I've grown to understand.
I think the big issue right now is practice time and place. I work way too much, my apartment walls are paper-thin, I don't drive to work, and I'm in a new city, so no gig motivation. I've been slowly making progress on a few things, but the fire isn't flaming up. It's more like a smolder. I wasn't seeking sympathy as much as going through the catharsis of "telling someone" how I was feeling.
The good news, is that I'm going to try jamming with some guys next week, my wife understands what I need to do, I'm going to be inspired when I see Jason's show next week, I won't live in this apartment for too long, and I have a ton of new YouTube ideas.
Thanks for letting me vent,
Dan G
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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Noodles
389 posts
Jan 05, 2013
7:20 PM
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Lord knows I’ve put down my harps a bunch of times since I started in ’71. In every case, it has always been the same thing that has rekindled my interest.
We all have a few tunes that have excited us to learn in the past. We’ve spent hours and hours on them during our learning curve. GO BACK, LISTEN CAREFULLY and look for those subtle nuances that you probably didn’t hear the first time around. There’s always something. And for myself, it’s that one thing I find that triggers that enthusiasm to work it into my playing.
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The Iceman
645 posts
Jan 06, 2013
8:01 AM
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Sometimes delving into a different genre of music can re-energize a sluggish musician.
I was at the the Memphis Blues Awards show in the late 90's (playing keyboards for that years winner of "Best New Blues Artist Release CD" - Johnny "Yard Dog Jones", along w/Doug Demming on guitar).
Along with the awards ceremony and all that music and jamming, it was held in conjunction with a big music fest w/4 different stage areas - Main Stage w/blues artists, satellite stages with new rock bands, solo artists, and waaay off to one side was this big white tent called "The Gospel Tent". I wandered into it one afternoon - not a big crowd, but a big stage with a full blown gospel band/choir on stage (drums, organ, piano, guitar, bass, horn section, buncha black chicks in blue robes wearing gold crosses choir, and a chubby choir director running back and forth leading the band and doing back flips).
I was blown away. This is where the action was, and most people at the fest weren't even aware.
I'm here to tell you that those bands were the tightest I'd ever heard and I found myself re-motivated.
Here is a link to an example of what I experienced. If nothing else, get past the high energy and just listen to this bass player!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xfafeyEtig
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The Iceman
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2013 8:03 AM
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Ant138
1241 posts
Jan 06, 2013
12:46 PM
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I know how your feeling Dan.
I'm feeling very uninspired at the moment. I haven't picked up the harp regularly for a while now. I just seem to spend the bulk of my time working and when I do have some free time I Don't really feel like playing harp. I feel really guilty and try and get 15 or 20 mins when I can but I feel like I've lost my fire for it.
I feel like a wave of motivation or something of interest is just around the corner but it doesn't seem to materialise. I did get about 30 mins in today. I stared off with my Chrom which I havnt played in months, that helped but ultimately I think I need a project I think I'm gonna make it Whammer Jammer. I can play bits of it so I'm gona try and put it together as best I can and see what happens, hopefully it might relight my fire:o)
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http://www.youtube.com/user/fiendant?feature=mhum
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2013 12:48 PM
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Joe_L
2309 posts
Jan 06, 2013
1:04 PM
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Actually, most of Rusty's recent gigs have been reggae shows. Since leaving Hummel's band, I don't think he has been playing much blues.
When I feel uninspired, I dig into my music collection and listen to something I haven't heard in a while. Listening to Taildragger usually gets me motivated.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2013 1:06 PM
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florida-trader
224 posts
Jan 07, 2013
1:15 PM
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Interestingly enough I have had the opposite experience. I play the harp more than ever now. There's so much for me to try and so many things I want to learn. I have been playing golf for 50 years and the harmonica for 40. I'm a much better golfer than I am a harmonica player but in the past 6 months I have played very little golf. That said, I have a tournament coming up this week so I did go out and do a little practicing yesterday. Like Adam said - nothing like having to perform to motivate you to practice again.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2013 1:16 PM
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Shaganappi
2 posts
Jan 07, 2013
6:22 PM
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Motivation has to come from within. Some great advice here. Personally, I find if I don't progress fast enough in whatever I do, I often lose interest. So maybe you need to try something else (different genre or type of harp, position, etc.) until you are moving faster? Or often we need another person that can share our passion with so at least you can see them progress when you don't … or some other parallel thought. So in that vein, consider at least taking Iceman's suggestion of a different genre. Take a short break and then pick something that really grabs you and take it apart and make it completely yours.
There is always someone who can play better than oneself, so it is tempting to just put on a CD or similar but playing your own stuff is something special. Musicianship is becoming a lost art. But I understand. Personally, I don't play much lately but at least I am working on some other harmonica projects (notation / harp tab / web page) that interest me. I will be back in the game eventually. Hang in there Dan.
And remember that teaching can be rewarding too. Certainly, you have influenced me and numerous others in your vids. And characteristic of many, I have never thanked you. I do now. You're a cool dude Dan. We don't want to lose you. Will be waiting for more YouTube.
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The Iceman
659 posts
Jan 08, 2013
6:09 AM
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Shaganappi made a good point.
If you are in a rut, one way out is to find someone else and teach them to play harmonica. Not only does it reinforce what you do already, but it gets you out of your own head and into the world of interaction with others musically.
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The Iceman
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