Re: lessons

[Sootski@xxxxxxx]

I offer this perspective from the view of a newcomer to the harmonica.  I 
play several other instruments, none of them at the level of a virtuoso but 
reasonably well.  I come from a line of music educators so have had a perverse 
aversion to "lessons" in later life, mostly being self-taught.
But I hooked up with an harp instructor before I even got started and its 
been a great experience for me.  In addition to tapping into his 30 years of 
experience my wife and I have started going to blues festivals, getting out to 
clubs to hear folks like Barbecue Bob. My new work truck has been ordered with a 
tilt-wheel to make it easier to steer with my knees as I blow down the road.
And I feel I'm learning faster than I would with self-study methods.  The 
cd's and books are good but for me the measure of accountability helps me 
discipline my practice time.  I don't like to show up for a lesson and not at least 
have made an effort to get better at task we've worked on.   Mike Rogers 
(Berwick, ME) has also made it great fun. We keep a flexible schedule and I book a 
lesson with him when I am able to fit in and/or am anxious  for some help with 
a technique or I think I've got something down and want to show off.  And 
sometimes I get my butt kicked!!  
I guess all this just reiterates that if you click  with a teacher lessons 
are the way to go!!
And if you can hook up with a guy like Bullfrog, so much the better!!

Phil Mitchell
Newmarket,  NH