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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
I wanna become RICH playing harmonica
I wanna become RICH playing harmonica
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MichaelAndrewLo
427 posts
Sep 23, 2010
11:12 PM
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Ok, besides the fact that his won't happen I wanted to talk about harmonica playing skill and making money with harmonica. Seeing the posts talking about Adam's business ventures colliding with anothers has me wondering if one becomes the best harmonica player whether they can make any money with harmonica (not just playing but teaching as well). I am curious if playing ability matters at all in making money with harmonica. Do you just need to be an aggressive business man? And, are the best players the highest compensated in the harmonica world? Is there a correlation? Do you have to have a playing career before you can teach? Should you? Is the "jam camp" stuff just a cottage industry playing into the consumerist ideal that you can buy what you don't have (in this case harmonica skill)?
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Andrew Larson, R.N.
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Kyzer Sosa
810 posts
Sep 23, 2010
11:42 PM
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something tells me you already know the answer to those questions MAL...Brilliance is never an indication of philanthropy. Some of the wealthiest people simply fell right into a niche that filled a necessary gap. Others worked very hard to make what they have. Its a crap shoot at best.
I dont think "jam camps" are an end all for those seeking skill. It's simply an outlet for people wanting to know, from exceptionally good players, how it's really done first hand. In all aspects of learning a trade or skill, it is paramount to surround yourself with the best opportunities to learn. I think "camps" have probably taken a hit based on the digital age. Look what is available on YouTube alone.
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Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
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HarmonicaMick
152 posts
Sep 24, 2010
7:52 AM
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Hi Michael, nice to see you back.
I'll be selective in responding, simply because you posed a few questions and it would take a long time to type my considered views to all of them.
"Do you have to have a playing career before you can teach? Should you?"
I used to teach piano, so this is something I've been thinking about with regard to harp.
I think that a playing career is not as important as a demonstrable ability to play and explain the techniques you intend to teach. And only you - i.e. the one proposing to teach - knows whether they can do that.
In my piano playing days, I had about 5 or 6 teachers, and the worst one by far was a professional concert pianist.
I was always held back by a very tense technique - from the shoulders right down to the hands - and this guy never said a word about it. He could play the pants of off most people, but teach? Nah! I consider myself a better teacher, though a far worse player.
This fella was a virtuoso, but it didn't make a jot of difference because he couldn't or wouldn't explain the mechanics of what he was doing. Later, I did have such a teacher, and she was absolutely fantastic. Was she a World class player? Nope!
"Is the "jam camp" stuff just a cottage industry playing into the consumerist ideal that you can buy what you don't have (in this case harmonica skill)?"
Perhaps, but only to an extent. I get the notion - and I'm not sure how much of that notion is of my own making - that these events in general are marketed as a 'fix', as something that you will come away from being a much better player. Perhaps that is not fair, but it is how it sometimes seems to me.
In truth, I've not attended one - unless you count a three year music degree - but one thing I do believe is that you will only be able to come away from a 'camp' absorbing so much useful information, much of it being stuff that you can easily find on YouTube.
It is still going to take an awful long time to be a good player, and on the way to becoming one, you can - and will, if that is your goal - learn and assimilate what you need to. But, that learning will be done bit by grinding bit.
EDIT: I know that Adam asked us not to dwell on the subject that came up a few days ago, so please don't let my remarks reignite that particular thread.
Moderators: please feel free to delete or edit as you see fit.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Sep 24, 2010 8:08 AM
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MrVerylongusername
1249 posts
Sep 24, 2010
10:02 AM
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That reminds me of the old joke:
Q. how do you get a million dollars playing harp?
A. start with two million!
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Greyowlphotoart
61 posts
Sep 24, 2010
10:40 AM
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@ HarmonicaMick: some very good observations Mick. Ta
I guess everyone is different and some prefer just plugging away on their own, whilst others like to have someone to compete with as they're learning and others who like to attend harmonica camps, tuition, Youtube etc., All are valid, it's what works for you - it might be one of these or a combination
Ultimately it is a case of what sustains your interest and keeps you practicing in a positive way. Sometimes it can be a little technique or lick you manage to pull off that can trigger a lot more persistance and dedication in your playing. The trouble is, if progression is slow in the eye of the player it can be demoralising and then you need all the help you can get to keep you motivated. Some folk are naturals and can learn to play in a year what it might take others years to acheive. It doesn't matter. I've been dabbling for years and I've improved more and learnt more about the harp in this last year than the previous 46.
In the end it just depends how much you want to play this great little instrument.
Last Edited by on Sep 24, 2010 11:01 AM
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nacoran
2812 posts
Sep 24, 2010
12:34 PM
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I don't want to sound overly cynical, but it seems that the best way to make money in music is to be young and pretty and auto-tuned with good dance moves. Until copyright piracy issues get sorted out you may need to fill arenas to make money.
There are some people taking crazy approaches to making money out there, whether it's Radiohead asking fans to pay whatever they want for the album or bands that burn a bunch of CD's and send someone ahead to give them away for free in whatever town your next show is in. Look for what music is selling and put your spin on it. Merchandise! Get someone to make you an iPhone or Android app to push your music out to fans. Maintain a really cool website. I had a Creative Writing teacher who got a industrial song onto the European charts by calling request lines all over Europe. The music industry is shifting right now, so it's hard to say what will be big next.
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Nate
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TNFrank
224 posts
Sep 24, 2010
12:49 PM
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"I don't want to sound overly cynical, but it seems that the best way to make money in music is to be young and pretty and auto-tuned"
Hey, you've heard of Taylor Swift too,LOL.
Yep, anymore it's not about what you know, it's about, well, you get the idea. Seems like the stranger your act the better now days. Take Lady Gaga for instance. She has plenty good pipes to make it without all the crazy costumes and stuff but from what little I've read the music industry pretty much ignored her until she started dressing crazy. It's a real shame too, she's actually a pretty decent looking lady without all that make up and stuff.
Another case in point. Anvil. Hugely talented band but didn't have the promotion that they needed so they went pretty much unheard of for decades. They're finally making it big but dang, it took forever.
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Harmonicas:
Hohner Big River in Low F,G,A,Bb
Hohner Special 20 in Bb
Suzuki HarpMaster in C
Suzuki FolkMaster in D,E,F
Hohner Hot Metal harps in G,A,C,D,E
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earlounge
158 posts
Sep 24, 2010
12:53 PM
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You may not get rich, but here are my observations on how to make money in the music industry with out being a super star.
-Teach
-Join a gigging wedding band
-Get hired by a touring band
-Start a website or make Youtbe videos (sell advertising)
-Write good songs and license them to artists
-Write and record good songs and license them for synchronization
Good luck... you will need it!
Last Edited by on Sep 24, 2010 1:02 PM
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Jim Rumbaugh
311 posts
Sep 24, 2010
5:20 PM
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Send me $49.95 and I'll tell you how to get rich.
and in case you didn't get it, that's how some guys get rich.
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intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
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Greg Heumann
788 posts
Sep 24, 2010
5:53 PM
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The best known, most actively performing harp players in the world, including Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Howard Levy, Robert Bonfiglio - ALL work their asses off, have their fingers in many pies, and make a DECENT living. None of them are swimming in the lap pool of luxury.
They all have a) talent b) charisma c) paid their dues for many years. And they are the cream on top of the cream. There are many, many, many really talented players at the next level who play beautifully, teach and gig regularly. Some of them eke out a living, most don't. Many of them have supportive wives who contribute the lion's share of the family inome. (I KNOW these people, I'm not making this up, but I ain't gonna name names - you've heard of them.)
My point is - if you want to make money, there are better ways. If you want to make money playing harp, then look around you. You will probably need to dedicate your life to it.
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Sep 24, 2010 5:54 PM
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N.O.D.
232 posts
Sep 24, 2010
6:09 PM
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Ok, besides the fact that his won't happen I wanted to talk about harmonica playing skill and making money with harmonica. Seeing the posts talking about Adam's business ventures colliding with anothers has me wondering if one becomes the best harmonica player whether they can make any money with harmonica (not just playing but teaching as well).
Q1-I am curious if playing ability matters at all in making money with harmonica :?
Could you teach me something you nothing about?
Q2 Do you just need to be an aggressive business man?
Be an Astute Business Man Does not need to be ruthless or Aggresive:(
Q3 Are the best players the highest compensated in the harmonica world? Is there a correlation?
PMSFL Ha!! Ha!! :)
Q4 Do you have to have a playing career before you can teach? Should you?
Sorry Question unclear what is a playing career?
Q5 Is the "jam camp" stuff just a cottage industry
playing into the consumerist ideal that you can buy what you don't have (in this case harmonica skill)?
From Adams Posts of Late thats some Cottage Pie Bro:)
25 students 5 days $900 or $1000 thats some Big Guns Bro :(
Will you get value if you are a learner NO!
Will you get Value if you are an Advanced player NO!
A leaner player will not absorbe all the information in or be able to put this into practise in such a short time span:(
an advanced player will glean some information for sure but both the learner and Advanced Player would be better of spending there cash on Private lessons:)
Basicly What you are getting is a learn to Play Harmonica course in 5-minutes tuition book:)
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Cheers Bro:)
Last Edited by on Sep 24, 2010 6:18 PM
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Buddha
2499 posts
Sep 24, 2010
6:47 PM
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the first error in thought is getting rich by being a harmonica player. You have to be yourself and follow the path that is already there for you.
Did you know Bobbie McFerrin started as a Clarinet player? But it's his voice that made him famous but ultimately, he's famous because of how he approaches things.
Ten years ago, he was making $32,000 per SET. I'm sure it's more than that now.
Huey Lewis makes a lot of money $140,000 per set but he's know more for his singing than his harp playing even though his harp playing is very good.
Bruce Willis is another decent harp player. He played harp before he was an actor but his money comes from his approach to things and the path that suits him best.
John Popper... another "RICH" harp player.
The point is, you have to be yourself and do what comes naturally and the money will come. Maybe it will be related to harmonica and maybe it won't but that doesn't have to stop you from being a harmonica player.
If you were to ask me what my job is, I tell them, my job is being me, there is nobody on earth who can be me better than me.
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"I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
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Tuckster
745 posts
Sep 24, 2010
7:40 PM
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http://jrnb.blogspot.com/2009/01/stay-in-college-guide-to-proactive-mid_15.html
This is one of the best articles I've ever read about making a living playing music. It is the cold unvarnished truth. It's too long to post here,thus the link.
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nacoran
2814 posts
Sep 24, 2010
9:15 PM
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I came back to this thread to add something, but it looks like Buddha has it covered. Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Steven Tyler, they all play harmonica, and they all made money in music, but it wasn't their harmonica playing that made them all the money.
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Nate
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KingoBad
407 posts
Sep 24, 2010
9:34 PM
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I think making money at anything comes down to "vision."
Do YOU see how to do it? Do YOU see how YOU can make a living playing harmonica?
If you can't, then you won't.
You can piddle around like everyone else trying to be the latest greatest. Everyone is running down the same road for the most part. You can practice all you want. You might even get better than anyone else around.
But, do you fill a need that someone will pay you enough to do?
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