CMo
7 posts
Apr 01, 2010
1:05 PM
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I have a small problem mostly linked to being timid about getting out to meet some new folks with a similar interest. I signed up for a local Yahoo group foused on the harmonica. They have monthly meetings/gathering where people swap equipment, share stories, share knowledge, and jam together. The first meeting since I signed up is happeneing tonight and I am getting mixed feelings about wetehre I really want to go. Basically it will be the first time anyone but my wife and my 1 year old daughter will have heard me play or even discuss harp stuff. I guess, to be blunt about it, I feel really embarrassed about my skill at this point and I am not sure if I am ready to "come out of the closet" so to speak.
Anyone else experience this? Any advice?
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CMo
9 posts
Apr 01, 2010
2:10 PM
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Muchas Gracias OxHarp!!! I am still totally nervous and timid about going but I am going to definitely go and see how it turns out. I really want to progress with the harmonica and be able to play with other musicians so i know it is a a step I have to take. I guess I'll go and keep my harp in my pocket for the first jam and see how that goes. I just don't want to get out there and sound like a dufus. But I can't blame the other folks in the group for that. they alls eem like really chill and down to earth peeps, so I know it si jsut my self conscious.
Thanks again for reaching out. I will post later about the event...
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eharp
596 posts
Apr 01, 2010
3:43 PM
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you should go. you dont have to be great, or even good, to enjoy it. and it is probably a good way of meeting others with the same interest. and this might get you more comfortable with playing in front of others.
one of the things i do when playing in front of people when i am nervous is to think to myself (never say this out loud), "f**k these folks. i dont know them. i dont care what they think of me. i am here for my own enjoyment."
afterwards you will most likely get some good feedback. even if they are waaaay better than you, everyone was in your same situation at some point of this journey.
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nacoran
1538 posts
Apr 01, 2010
3:46 PM
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Definitely go! Most groups like this love having people of all levels. It gives the people who've been doing it longer a chance to give something back and the people who are new a chance to learn. Remember every player, no matter how great they are now, started some time.
I am taking the plunge myself right now. I'm trying to start a songwriting circle in my area. Nervous as hell, but I think it's going to be fun.
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Nate
Facebook
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bluemoose
154 posts
Apr 01, 2010
4:31 PM
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Go! If you've been lurking here for even a short time you will have some good ideas to discuss/ask about, even if you can't do the thing yourself, yet. Odds are someone there will gently nudge you along.
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CMo
10 posts
Apr 05, 2010
8:34 AM
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Thank you all for the good advice. I ended up going and I am so glad that I did. Harmonica Players organization of Frederick (Maryland) is the name of the group. All the members, including the group leader , Bryan Lyburn spoke very highly of Mr. Gussow! Apparently Adam came and joined the group for discussion and jamming at some time.
I did play for a bit too! and got to meat some really nice people. Got invited to hear Bryan play with a band he is in the next night. Myself, my wife and our daughter went out to the cafe where they were playing and had a really nice time!
The experience got em so amped that I went home and played for like three straight hours!!!
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Oxharp
251 posts
Apr 05, 2010
9:48 AM
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Told Ya.
We are not so bad eh.
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Oxharp
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7LimitJI
87 posts
Apr 05, 2010
12:13 PM
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Well, unless its a tongue block vs lip thread !! ;o)
Well done CMo. May it be the beginning of a long and happy relationship :o)
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Those Dangerous Gentlemens Myspace
Due to cutbacks,the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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CMo
11 posts
Apr 06, 2010
4:57 AM
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Definitely the next big step in my journey!!!
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littleeasy
16 posts
Apr 06, 2010
6:01 AM
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CMo, I started playing in june of 08, this will be my 2 year anniversary. I wanted to play with a band so i asked a friend of mine, a guitar player, if I could check out one of their practices to get used to how bands interact. I really wanted to get used to them and just sit in on their practice so IF they ever asked me to play i would be comfortable with them and actually be able to play and not feeze up and choke. He invited me to the practice and when I showed up he told me to hook my stuff up and "lets go". I did and they catered to me for the first hour of their practice, playing 12 bar blues stuff just for me! They are not a blues band but do play some blues stuff. Wow, I had a blast. At the end of practice I asked how did I do and they asked what I was doing Friday night to play at Irish Eyes in Lewes DE. I did and had a blast. I have played with them 3 times since the practice and have been asked to play more. I'm scared every time I play, my heart races most of the day before I play, but I have a great time and the band will try to get me to play solos by saying "lets hear that harp Stu" during the song. I have been developing solos for each song I play with them (only 6 now) so I dont get jammed not knowing what to play. So, I know exactly what youre going through and I beleive we are both wrestling through this very difficult and uncomfortable time. Its painful and scary but what a freakin blast. Ive been looking for someone else to jam with and we are not that far apart. Im in Felton DE. Let me know when the next meeting is. I would be interested in sharing ideas about how you, and others that have been playing the same amount of time, cope with this next big step we are taking.
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CMo
12 posts
Apr 06, 2010
7:50 AM
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@ littleeasy. I will definitely let you know when the next meeting is. That is so awesome that you got hooked up with a band like that. I ain't ready for that yet but I'm going in that direction!!!
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CMo
17 posts
Apr 08, 2010
10:45 AM
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I've been invited by the group leader, Bryan to come over and get some one-on-one discussion/jamming/learning tonight. Pretty excited!!!
I think back to my original post and almost cringe at the thought of what I would have missed out on had I let my introversion keep me from going to the group jam.
I am really new to this world of Blues Harmonica but already I have had so many profound experiences. I look at the faces of the people who have been playing this thing for years, decades even and I can start to see the journey they have been on. You hear them play and that journey speaks even louder to you. I hope to grow in that same way, and possibly have that same impact on people when I speak through this instrument.
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bluemoose
164 posts
Apr 08, 2010
2:12 PM
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"That is so awesome that you got hooked up with a band"
When ever I say something like that my 15 year old daughter rolls her eyes, sighs and says, "Dad...that's not what 'hooked up' means anymore!".
Kids! Sheesh.
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CMo
18 posts
Apr 09, 2010
12:52 PM
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Discovering new things everyday...jamming to instrumental tracks now and really getting an understanding, I should say feeling of the I-IV-V chord progression.
Got me a new woodshed...at my job we have a basement where all the old equipment we use and sell goes to die in peace. Its far enough away from the action that no one hears me but close enough that I can still hear the PA if I get paged. I sat down there at lunch today, with jam tracks loaded on my phone, and wailed man.
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Learning is a journey, not a destination... -BL
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