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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Help/Suggestions for a beginner
Help/Suggestions for a beginner
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TahoeMike00
78 posts
Aug 21, 2010
6:33 PM
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On the Adam scale, I feel I am a fairly strong Advanced Beginner.
In a nutshell, I am not getting anywhere musically and starting to get frustrated. Almost to the point of giving up, but I know I won't.
I have been getting a lot of suggestions by various harp players and musicians that I know, and non of the advice is the same.
Once says practice to jam tracks. Another says absolutely do not practice/play to jam tracks - play along with "real" tunes. Some say study music theory. Another says "just play the damned thing"
One says I have to learn licks. Another says you'll make your own. Sheesh.
I have a feeling there is an element of all of this and more, and maybe this is one of the problems. Too much to think about, too many things learn at once.
A synopsis: I have been "playing" (making noises with the harp) since May of this year. Taking some lessons from an instructor, who has given me some basics to work on. Not sure what really to expect from an instructor.
I can play the blues scale up and down with fairly consistent bend.
I am happy with the control I have for the 1 and 3 draw bends, which I can hit at will at least half the time. 2 draw bend not very consistent.
I basically work mostly 1 - 4 holes, rarely going to 5 and 6 and 7 - 10 is non-existent so far.
Music theory - I have a rudimentary understanding and picking things up as I go... which is far more than some of the "musicians" I know personally. This is not a dig, but more an observation. "Hell I ain't never no study theory, I just play man" I can respect that.
Also picked up Jon Gindicks book and CD 'Rockin Blues Harmonica' but to be honest I haven't diligently PLAYED along with it.... yet. I've read the book, listened to the CD. I feel comfortable with his style of teaching.
I fully realize what a complex instrument the harp is and I have what I believe are realistic expectations in knowing that it takes some serious playing time, practicing and learning. I'm good with that -- it's the direction, not knowing which direction to take.
i.e. am I forming bad habits early.
I am not sure where to best focus my energies.
I think this provides an insight as to where I am at. I have a feeling that some of you would say 'I know exactly where you are at' without really reading everything here.
So, I would be happy to hear from beginners to seasoned players with any advise or suggestions you may have.
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The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
Last Edited by on Aug 21, 2010 6:34 PM
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nacoran
2589 posts
Aug 21, 2010
6:53 PM
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All that advice is useful advice, even if it's a little contradictory. Progress tends to come in bursts. The most important thing about practice is that you do it. Towards that end, I try to vary things. I spend time trying to figure out how to play along with songs I know, both harmony and melody. I try to learn enough theory for what I'm doing at the time. Sometimes you even need to set the harp down so your brain has time to consolidate all that information. I'd add record yourself and listen as very useful. I'd also recommend that you pick a few easy tunes that you like and get really good at them. Backing tracks are useful for playing over and over to fix what you aren't getting. Playing with live musicians is more about learning how to improvise.
Stay away from the bad habit of stopping every time you mess up. Pick a section of music and learn to get back in the groove even when you screw up. If you screw up playing alone, finish that section and play it again, but don't make a habit of stopping. I've seen fairly good players who make a mistake and then can't figure out what to do next.
Drill yourself on counting beats so you know where the changes are coming. If your lips are puckered out, find something else that will move you foreword. Personally, I like looking at vintage harmonicas on eBay, but I have the willpower (read empty bank account) not to buy.
There are lots of things you can do to practice and lots of things to learn. Use that to your advantage so you don't get burned out. Spend some time just making noise. Learning the sound of the intervals is huge, and just jumping round occasionally will help you learn what sounds YOU like.
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Nate
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Littoral
51 posts
Aug 21, 2010
7:01 PM
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Well written. Yes, I read it all and for what it's worth I think you need to give yourself real credit. If you're handling a/the blues scale and effectively bending then you're on your way. Problem is, it's a LONG way. 35 years here and I get frustrated. Today was all about nailing Cissy Strut.
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shanester
189 posts
Aug 21, 2010
7:21 PM
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I would say start playing along with stuff on the radio or your cds or jam tracks.
Figure out what key they are and play.
Also, start figuring out melodies, riffs that you hear and how to play those.
It sounds like you are heavy on study and light on exploration.
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Shane
1shanester
"Keep it coming now, keep it coming now,
Don't stop it no don't stop it no no don't stop it no don't stop it no no..."
- KC and the Sunshine Band
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AV8R
44 posts
Aug 21, 2010
8:31 PM
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I know where you're comin' from. In some ways there's almost TOO much lesson material and jam tracks out there. For me it initially was hard to settle down and get focused---until I started buying Adam's Tradebit lessons. Since then, I feel like I know EXACTLY where I am at. I just do what he says until I "get it", then I treat myself to another lesson.
I'm going to Gindick's Jam Camp this September, looking forward to getting feedback from live instructors, and also getting used to playing in front of people. From what I've heard it's a pretty good time.
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KingoBad
343 posts
Aug 21, 2010
8:54 PM
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I think that the Gindick book is a fantastic first resource for harmonica.
Adams lessons will be helpful for you later on. Use your time now to make it through the book and practice with the accompanying cd. It will set you up with a great foundation to take on Adam's lessons next.
This way you have ONE thing to focus on. You can take it as slow or as fast as you like. Set that goal and I think you will partially end your frustration.
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Chickenthief
62 posts
Aug 22, 2010
12:26 AM
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Yeah Tahoe, your post reads like something that I could have written about 6 months ago. Despair not.
I just busted my rookie year and I had 41/4 hours of amazing practice today. Nacoran is right, progress comes in fits and starts.
If you love the music keep going. It gets better.
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Kyzer Sosa
750 posts
Aug 22, 2010
12:36 AM
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AV8R, contact me off the forum, armarsh75@yahoo.com...I might have some things you're interested in...
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Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
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harmonicanick
857 posts
Aug 22, 2010
2:24 AM
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The one thing that will inspire you and lift you out of the rut is playing with other people.
So have a look at youtube gussow.092
This is Adam's 10 point guide to the principles of harp improvisation
Next, find out where the blues jam is where you live.
Next, pack your harps up, and you should have A,C,D as a minimum and get yourself down there.
When there introduce yourself to the host and explain 'where' you are musically and that you would like to play. If you feel nervous that is normal.
Good luck!
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Sirsucksalot
240 posts
Aug 22, 2010
2:38 AM
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Pick a song that has harp in it that you wold like to learn. You can pick an easy one or something you want to do but dont feel up to yet.
Play it over and over and over while trying to play the harp part. Do this for as long as it takes or until your lips get too sore to continue.
Then sleep on it. And Repeat.
Eventually you will figure it out. Doing this will help you get licks, rhythm, technique and you will know how to play something that you want to play. And most importantly i think, you will become more familiar with your harmonica.
I dont like many jam tracks because they dont sound like real music. The more you practice like this the better you will get. well the better i get anyway. Dont get discouraged. After a while you will be able to play with any jam that you go to because you practiced playing to REAL music.
Also take your harmonica where ever you go and when you are bored or have to wait, play something on it. Dont matter what you play or how good you sound. You wouldn't believe how many other musicians iv meet who've invited me to jam with them because of this.
Thats all i got. Good Luck.
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joeleebush
59 posts
Aug 22, 2010
5:03 AM
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to advanced beginner TahoeMike:
When I started working in public at age 9, there was no such thing as blues jams, they didn't exist. In fact the adult musicians discouraged you in any way possible because they knew that eventually you'd be snaking their action.
My suggestion is to avoid these blues jams altogether. Most that I have seen wind up being a volume contest between pups who haven't yet learned that being a great harmonica player is NOT about playing great harmonica...its about BECOMING someone.
And that process starts all alone...with you and that harp. Just you.
I was very gifted in that I never had to struggle with bending notes or doing warbles at all. It was very easy for me...BUT I HAD to memorize passages. Which meant sitting for hours at a record player moving the arm back and forth across the wax (78's as 45's hadn't been invented yet)...to get those licks down right. You gotta do the same thing. I've had people ask me.."when did you become good at it?" and my honest reply is "I was always good at it, from the first time I picked one up...I started out good at it and I just added to my vocabulary and presentation over the years. And I was a born showman. I never had a lousy tone, I never wheezed and honked, and I never had breathing troubles, none of that stuff. (that, by the way, has added to my frustration as a 'teacher' because I couldn't believe that everyone else couldn't do it as easily as me)
Now, moving on....once you get some licks together and some tunes whether its fox chases or the Old Rugged Cross...take it to the streets.
That's right, get out on the corners all alone with a tip begging can and start playing. Start trying to sing along with that harp too. We used to hang around the train and bus stations and offer to carry luggage for the rich folks and play music for them at the same time. Yep, you're going to get chased away, you will have people steal your tip money, you will get slapped in the head by hoodlums, but that is getting you experience that you will NEVER get at any blues jams.
As quick as you can, find a guitar player who is of like mind and you and him start working duos everywhere you can, alleys, street corners, all of the places I mention here. Eventually you and that guy will put together a trio, then a full group. Remember that Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Little Walter terrorized Chicago with just those 3...and I dare say if they were alive today they could do the same thing again.
That experience you get is going to hone those chops faster than any sitting alone in a room with electronic equipment fooling yourself into thinking you're a player.
Pay no attention to the well meaning BS you will get from family members or friends. The true test is when you're in front of a bunch of strangers who will be anything but "polite and kind" to you. They're going to be brutally frank, sarcastic, and real with you. They don't care if you live or die...they just want to hear you do it right...then they will love you.
Good luck to you.
Regards
Last Edited by on Aug 22, 2010 5:30 AM
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RonnyB
13 posts
Aug 22, 2010
7:32 AM
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Have a look at David Barrett's site www.bluesharmonica.com
It is helping me,as a new player.
It was Adam who first inspired me to play after watching his youtube vid's but I was jumping about all over the place until I started at Davids site.
Hope it will help Ron
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MakaInOz
15 posts
Aug 22, 2010
9:23 PM
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@ TahoeMike: All the jam tracks and youtube clips in the world aren't half as much fun as playing with another human. Take the risk - stick up a sign in your local music shop - "Advanced beginner harmonica player seeks similar level harmonica or guitar player for mutual musical improvement".
Sharing helps keep you motivated and you learn a lot from playing with others, even if they're no better than you.
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jonlaing
46 posts
Aug 22, 2010
11:45 PM
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I hear you on the starting bad habits. I've just completed my first year of harmonica, and I had a big wake up call sitting in with a local band. I've played with this band several times and have a fairly good handle on their songs, but I was off my game and started playing a I,IV,V progression, when that wasn't the chord progression of the song.
So I guess my lesson, which perhaps you can learn from as well, was that since blues is constantly evolving, you can't count on every song being a standard 12 bar, especially if the band you play with only loosely considers themselves blues.
Don't always play with blues tracks, and don't always play with standard 12 bars. Mix it up,so that you're playing is versatile... Maybe that's more advice to myself... but whatever...
One other note, I remember having a big spurt of progress after looking at Jason Ricci's "How I Play Fast" video. The way he taught running scales helped me get more comfortable with running up and down the holes and sticking those bends. Lee Sankey just posted something similar on his channel.
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TahoeMike00
80 posts
Aug 23, 2010
1:35 PM
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Thanks everyone for your input. It helped me settle down a little bit (mentally).
I was going to comment specifically on the key points that really hit home with me, but after typing for 5 or more minutes, I realized that it's all key points :-)
I am taking bits and pieces of the advice when and where it makes sense and as I move on, some stuff that didn't make sense to me at that given time, ended up making sense later. I guess that's part of the learning process.
After 10 or more years in the highly indoctrinated discipline of mechanical engineering, it's difficult for me to break out my left-brained thought process and tap into the soul and feeling that Jon Gindick insist I already have! LOL!
Drives my instructor crazy I'm sure. I suppose it's akin to trying to teach Dr. Spock (of Star Trek) how to play blues harmonica - with feeling, not mathematics.
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The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
Last Edited by on Aug 23, 2010 1:38 PM
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