magictwanger
8 posts
Sep 30, 2013
1:59 PM
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Curious if many folks don't aspire to be in a band,but play for pleasure....and...still want to become a good harpist.
Best to all
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mr_so&so
738 posts
Sep 30, 2013
2:05 PM
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Yup. No room in my life right now to play in a band, but I love playing and learning.
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rbeetsme
1365 posts
Sep 30, 2013
2:34 PM
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I would hope we all play because we enjoy it. No other motive. Not currently playing anywhere, but opportunities exist if I'm ready, so I like to keep up with it.
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GEEZER1
194 posts
Sep 30, 2013
3:39 PM
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I play at jams and with a small country band, yes its for pleasure. And sometimes a little money...
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Sarge
346 posts
Sep 30, 2013
3:40 PM
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I play just for my own pleasure.
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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tookatooka
3513 posts
Sep 30, 2013
3:53 PM
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Yes, I play for pleasure but my goal is to play as well as I'm able to. My progress is slow but it's about the journey. Luckily, the harp has turned out to be a far more complex and challenging instrument than I first thought. I'm pleased because it will provide me with many years of pleasure and musical exploration.
I have no ambitions to play in a band but if my newfound skills can be used to entertain others than who am I to refuse. It would be fun to put them to good use and show others what I can do with this simple "toy".
Last Edited by tookatooka on Sep 30, 2013 3:56 PM
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sonny3
44 posts
Sep 30, 2013
3:54 PM
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I play just for myself.No interest in playing in band.would like to busk someday if I get brave.
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BronzeWailer
1152 posts
Sep 30, 2013
4:00 PM
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Play for pleasure, including in bands and jamming and busking. I had no intention to join a band, it just happened. If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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Shaganappi
43 posts
Sep 30, 2013
5:16 PM
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I play for myself primarily. But can't say that playing with others is not even more fun - just that opportunities are not there easily with my life as it is.
Interestingly, maybe because of my technical bent, I often find it equally as pleasurable in the simple work of understanding and analyzing music - particular matters of improving tab notation (consistency, rhythm, QWERTY, etc), transposing, programming for same, etc. Maybe something wrong with my brain that I enjoy that. Momma said she dropped me on my head at an early age …
It is not a typical musical approach IMO. Wonder how many others out there share the same strange wiring?
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Chinn
99 posts
Sep 30, 2013
5:31 PM
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Have not played in a band in almost 20 years, and even then it was nothing serious or for money.
I'd love to feel comfortable enough someday to head up to a jam and play, but I'm not there yet.
Now I just annoy my kids with my playing...
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groyster1
2412 posts
Sep 30, 2013
5:32 PM
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I play for pleasure....if somebody wants to jam....lets do it....went to Ireland recently....played twice on stage....both times called up....you don't refuse there...well received....as far as playing locally....I work cheap....labor of love...love of harps....I own a bunch..........
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Aussiesucker
1323 posts
Sep 30, 2013
7:07 PM
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I have always played for pleasure & for self improvement. I now play regularly with others at Bluegrass Jams which I have attended bi monthly for the past 3 years. It is an environment I like and the opportunity to play is endless but with fairly strict boundaries. It has without doubt improved my playing and my ability to take solos on the fly on tunes that I may not have even heard before.It has taught me that less is more and that my aim is to always contribute to and not dominate the sound ie unless it is my lead or solo. It is a large group of at times ca 30 players and only once another harp player came along & had a go. Many of us form small impromptu jams at other times where we often depart from playing bluegrass.
I really look forward to each jam and am going to one tonight. I play for my own pleasure but the knowledge and experience gained in playing amongst others is I think invaluable.
My preference is for the Bluegrass style of jamming as I have been to Blues & Country Jams where one is more exposed but for only a short one or 2 tunes ie name on the board & wait to be called. With our jams everyone gets to take a break, or sing, on every tune ie if they want to. Plus there is also plenty of support for newer players who do often need to be rescued.
I have also busked and put on shows at The Coffee Club. I see it more as paid practice plus it has been helpful to rid myself of nerves. I don't seek regular gigs but do throw my hat in if asked. But, I play for my own fun and enjoyment and if others like what I do then it makes it even better.
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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nacoran
7178 posts
Sep 30, 2013
8:00 PM
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I play because I love music. I don't make any money at it, although I aspire to get to the point where I can make enough money to buy more harmonicas. (I would also love to write music for other performers.)
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Nate
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paulbunyn
88 posts
Sep 30, 2013
8:23 PM
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I play and learn purely for the pleasure of it. I hope some day others will enjoy my playing as much as I do.
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BronzeWailer
1153 posts
Sep 30, 2013
8:48 PM
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@Nate. Busk! Practice, meet people, give someone a smile and maybe a dance and maybe get enough for a new harp!
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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JInx
552 posts
Oct 01, 2013
5:50 AM
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I play for pleasure. But if there are people around, I try to play for them.84
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Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
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Frank
2866 posts
Oct 01, 2013
4:02 PM
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Pure hobby here at the Centipede Saloon - for enhanced pleasure I agree to play for friends, family, coworkers etc... :) Bands are a big pain in the ass - though the Pros make it look otherwise ;)
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 01, 2013 4:03 PM
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Rick Davis
2468 posts
Oct 01, 2013
4:51 PM
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Chicks dig it.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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Frank
2867 posts
Oct 01, 2013
4:55 PM
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So do the "dudes" - :O
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Silvertone
137 posts
Oct 02, 2013
1:51 PM
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I play entirely for pleasure. I jam w/ a garage band once in a while and an old high school buddy once in a blue moon. Besides that its just me playing to/with recorded music. I've acquired a bit of stage fright and am trying to shake it. I played w/ the garage band at a picnic last month and I'd like to do more of that.
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florida-trader
373 posts
Oct 02, 2013
2:44 PM
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I play for pleasure. Through reading the expert advice of the more experienced members of this forum, I have been able to get invited to play with a very talented and popular local musician and more importantly I’ve learned how not wear out my welcome so I will get invited back again. So I can get my fix of playing in front of a live audience pretty much whenever I want – which is really only 2 or 3 times a year. I played in the Praise Team Band at church for most of last year. Recently I have been sort of a 5th wheel playing with a Barber Shop Quartet – also at church. We will be putting on a program at the First Sunday Spaghetti Dinner next month. I have to master 8 new songs. And strangely enough, my participation in the quartet has been parlayed into an invitation to join them in a singing role as one of the members is retiring. I am a Tenor/Baritone. It is going to be a challenge for me. I can sing but harmony is not my strength. I’m better at singing melodies. I have definite plans to mix the harp into the music. I think it is going to be a lot of fun. And lastly, I have another friend who is a singer/song writer / guitar player. He also plays a little harmonica on a rack. He has recorded one CD and is working on his second. He recently asked me to lay down a track on one of his songs so I had my first experience going into the recording studio. I don’t plan to quit my day job but I’m having fun.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Oct 02, 2013 2:47 PM
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S-harp
180 posts
Oct 02, 2013
3:41 PM
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Playing is fun ... it's pleasure ...
But not always ... I also have to play when I'm Really
not in the mood ... for what ever reason ...
But I still do it ... with absolutly no "feeling" ...
but with a smile and a show that shure looks like
I have "feeling"
Just an act ... muscles moving ... breathing in and out ..
But no one notices the difference ... Blues with a "feeling", what is that, really?
It's an act that has to work undependent upon the very "feeling" itself. You can't be dependent upon feeling to perform.
Like Dustin Hoffman said, you act feelings as an actor, you don't "feel" them ... it's a craft.
Ok ... this went off topic ...
I play for pleasure ...
Practise is pleasure, in a masocistic way.
Gigging is pleasure ,,, the groove, getting the audiance
moving .., the puls ... the nerve ...
But sometimes it just has to get done ...
with not much pleasure involved.
Getting better is pleasure.
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The tone, the tone ... and the Tone
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isaacullah
2521 posts
Oct 02, 2013
4:10 PM
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Yes. I want to be the best I can be, at playing the music I want to play. That is not to say I have no performance aspirations. I would like to perform, and I'd like to record too. But I don't want to make it my profession, and I don't want to do anything I don't want to be doing. That's why I've played on the streets and open mics, and do it as a One Man Band. I'm not opposed to having a paying gig, but I'm not necessarily ever going to hustle to get one. If it happens, I'd do it. Same with a band. I'll not rule it out, but I ain't looking to do it. It would have to be with some folks who are very like-minded, and who have the same outlook on it as I do... Not harm in wanting to be good for good's sake! I do this to be happy, and that's what's most important to me.
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View my videos on YouTube!
Check out my songs on Soundcloud!
Visit my reverb nation page!
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Gnarly
721 posts
Oct 03, 2013
12:35 PM
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It's real hard to get me out the door without revenue attached--I have been playing music professionally since the late 70's, mostly guitar and vocal, but also mandolin and now harmonica. There are some things that sound better on certain instruments. I really like harp for some things!
So although harp is my hobby (and even though that hobby is now my day job LOL), I am one of those "working only" types.
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Frank
2886 posts
Oct 03, 2013
4:28 PM
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Ever play for Charities or Nursing homes etc ?
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Gnarly
722 posts
Oct 04, 2013
12:12 AM
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I am playing a nursing home tomorrow--but I seldom play blues harp for them (once a month), they like bobbysox stuff.
I give 'em the chrom anyway, I need the practice.
I played for Spring Harp Fest a couple of years ago, that was for charity, right?
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