harmonicanick
2283 posts
Sep 12, 2015
2:49 PM
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Should we be doing this re. our own playing?
I tend to overplay in jams and won't shut up..
But I have my good points if I keep fills simple and melodic,
What is your self criticism or praise, do your playing partners tell you what they think?
Mine do, but maybe because my fellow players are over 60 and we don't bulls..t each other..
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Mirco
306 posts
Sep 12, 2015
3:34 PM
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Get in the habit of recording yourself regularly. I'd suggest once a week, whether you play out with others or not. If you play with others, that would be the best time... hit record and leave the recorder on a table.
I don't trust feedback from the other jammers. They are very encouraging and supportive. I appreciate that, but I can't rely on them for constructive criticism.
My best criticism comes from other harp players (when I specifically ask for it), from my wife (who doesn't play, so she can tell me if it sounds good to a non-musician), and from David Barrett in our twice monthly sessions. Having a teacher to evaluate your playing is invaluable.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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jbone
2032 posts
Sep 12, 2015
3:39 PM
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My own harshest self criticism is that I have never taken formal training in music. I have very little language of what I do although I seem to do pretty well.
I rely on my wife and partner Jolene, who has never lied to me nor me to her about music particulars. We shoot straight to each other and it shows in the product we produce.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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Tyler
14 posts
Sep 12, 2015
3:42 PM
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Yup, record yourself. Nothing more humbling. I recently watched a video of a gig I played at and on one of them I was stepping all over the vocals. It's hard to hear ourselves on stage sometimes, and that's sometimes a factor in over playing.
I also caught overused riffs, some wrong notes...
But, I also could compare to a recognized a few years old and see how much better my single notes, timing, and general tone have gotten.
Recording let's me look backwards and forwards. I'm my worst critic, and most non harp players don't really know what good harp is and don't help much for feedback as Mirco Said.
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ted burke
362 posts
Sep 12, 2015
4:28 PM
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i am pretty darn good, but often times i get ahead of myself and resort to old tricks when playing.
i am egocentric and wordy.
i am the greatest harmonica in the world according to my brain.
i bore myself when i play.
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Ted Burke
tburke4@san.rr.com
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waltertore
2880 posts
Sep 12, 2015
4:42 PM
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I use to always put myself down because I never sounded like the mainstream and never fit in any scene. The blues scene let me in on the fringe. Nowadays I love my playing and wouldn't trade it for the world. It only has taken about 50 years of playing to get here and the music is completely effortless and thought free. This is the ultimate high and I don't concern myself with what others think about my playing. Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year in the Tunnel of Dreams Studio.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
Smiling With Hope Pizza-pizza with a social cause
my videos
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Kingley
3923 posts
Sep 13, 2015
12:39 AM
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Of course everyone should use self analysis. They should use it on every aspect of their lives and not just their harmonica playing. I'd have thought that was pretty obvious.
As far as my own playing is concerned I always try to play under the vocals, not over them. I try to keep fills short and simple. If someone else is also playing fills (guitar, piano, sax, etc) I'll try to either mirror their fill or answer it intelligently. When it comes to solos I try to build them from simple beginnings and in a way that makes sense. I use dynamics a lot. Along with knowing when not to play and tone, it's one of the most important tools in the harmonica players arsenal in my opinion. It's always a work in progress. I'm happy with it's progress so far. Although there is still a long way to go.
One other thing I always try to bear in mind is that music is a conversation not a competition. I'm happy to be part of the conversation and don't feel the need to constantly be the main speaker.
Last Edited by Kingley on Sep 13, 2015 12:42 AM
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harmonicanick
2284 posts
Sep 13, 2015
2:40 PM
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Very well put Kingley
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Mojokane
839 posts
Sep 14, 2015
12:48 AM
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Good thread, thanks.
Well said Kingley,
I know...I need to do it more...shame shame.
Contrare to what I hear...
I don't like watching myself on videos.
I don't like how I play most of the time...
- which is a costly mistake on my part.
Skill, showmanship, pitch, phrasing, licks, comping, etc..get better!!..when you hear and SEE yourself.
Especially when you're screwing up.
If I was more serious about getting better, I would utilize all the tools at my disposal.
And playback videos, or recordings, are the best.
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Yes, there are blues in Hawaii.
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Barley Nectar
914 posts
Sep 14, 2015
11:01 PM
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I have never studied the greats. I have never copied licks. I don't play licks. I don't know music theory which is a downfall. I was once told that i have an innate knowledge of cord progression. Never thought about that till then, but I believe it is true. Don't really know what I do but it works. My job is to make you sound better. I have excellent stage presents and move with the groove. I have my own style and am well received by pro players. Should be playing much more. Don't care about playing for money. I don't know songs, don't hear words, just tones. Give me the key and I go. Automatic. At my age, a good groove is better then sex! I sweat like a whore in church when playing. LOL Love big amps and outdoor gigs. I am not the guy playing harmonica, i am a member of a group, just another layer in the mix. Really enjoy building and maintaining tube amps. Not the worlds greatest player but very comfortable where I am. Way too many I's in this post but you asked.
Great post Kingey...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Sep 14, 2015 11:03 PM
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Rubes
960 posts
Sep 15, 2015
3:48 AM
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Yep.....watched a vid someone else posted of moi guesting in a number by a local young hot blues duo....and there's me wailing on the 5th and 7th like the baddest biker bar harp player you ever did hear!!!! (But the crowd were lovin it) Damn I thought I had heaps more finesse than that! Back to the shed ....... Rubes
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Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
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marine1896
392 posts
Sep 15, 2015
4:15 AM
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Practice, record yourself...lot's, compare, listen, feedback from other harp players you know and respect.
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"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
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jbone
2035 posts
Sep 16, 2015
8:52 PM
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We've done a lot of videos of ourselves and also recorded 2 cd's. I have a fair idea of what I am about. That means I am aware- sometimes painfully- of my shortcomings as well as my assets.
There comes a point at which you say, okay, I may never be satisfied, but if I just believe my audience at least part of the time, I'm not half bad. My mind is like Ted's, I am either totally down on my mistakes or I am the best thing since sliced bread. The middle ground is great.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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