RE: [Harp-L] The Value of Practicing Scales [or not?]

[Steve Shaw <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

Practising scales and arpeggios is not necessary if your bent is playing Irish tunes. The tunes are already full of bits of scales and arpeggios. When you play the tunes you are practising scales and arpeggios already and doing it in a far more useful context than just scales, etc., in isolation.  It's good to find tunes which can be played in second, third, fourth and twelfth positions as well as first, as this will accustom you to just about all the blow-draw patterns you'll ever need for Irish tunes. I can't speak for all the genres I'm not familiar with, of course!  
> Music CaL wrote:
> > Many would disagree that the "groundwork" is in the practicing of scales.
> > There are many other starting points. Here some examples that many would
> > consider as important or far more important in the initial development of
> > harmonica musicianship and musicianship in general:
> > 
> > (1) Practicing arpeggios.
> > 
> > (2) Developing your ear and your mind's-ear-to-harp connection.