RE: [Harp-L] Discoveries to Share

["Chris Michalek" <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is no discovery....

want to improve your playing?  Regardless of your level of technique
listen to the drummer or bassist rather than the guitarist.  Get your
groove on and people will respond to you better.  The best players
are rhythmic players.

What to play like Stevie Wonder?  Learn to sing his style of music
and then play your vocals.

Practice humming a note and then going to your harp and play that
same note without finding your bearings on the instrument. KNOW where
every sound and note is on EVERY harmonica.  This is the beginning to
being able to play what is in your head.


>
>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: spock@xxxxxxxxxxx
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Discoveries to Share
>Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 11:12:04 -0400
>
>>
>>Don't mean to offend anyone, but it seems that since X-MAS there
>have been
>>very few posts about music/playing/technique/styles etc. 90% of
>posts are
>>gear/setup or player related. Gear questions are fine, but how about
>some
>>other stuff to.
>>
>>Anybody got any discoveries to share or any questions? Perhaps over
>the next
>>few weeks we could all make an effort to get the fire going again.
>>
>>Pierre.
>>
>>I might add to this some thoughts and routines that help me.  There
>may be
>>some newer players out there who read the posts but seldom ask
>questions.  I
>>really struggled at first and could have used some help.  Newer
>players I
>>run into sometimes ask how to get started.  Here are some things
>that help
>>me.
>>
>>I mark my harmonica with a tiny dot of red nail polish on the 3,6,9,
>holes.
>>I can see at a glance where I am...sadly I can't tell by the sound.
>>
>>When I first got started I set my timer for 15 minutes of practice
>and it
>>seemed like it was forever.  Now I have to make myself quit after
>one hour,
>>so I can get something else done.  After I do some housework, I
>reward
>>myself with some practice time.
>>
>>In my big loose leaf binder where I keep my songs, words of
>encouragement
>>from friends etc, I typed up a guideline for myself.  It is as
>follows:
>>
>>    Make sure my mouth is clean, teeth flossed etc.
>>
>>    Play my best
>>
>>
>>    Swallow often to prevent moisture
>>
>>    Warm up harmonica ( my blow three is timid unless warm)
>>
>>    Note hand position 
>>
>>    Tap foot...I am not musical and I really have to think about
>tapping the
>>foot.
>>
>>    Rock in chair to help rhythm or stand up sometimes.
>>
>>    Secure tongue to note
>>
>>    Use Doc Gindicks advise ...soft loud soft etc.
>>
>>    Start with Shenandoah (helps me be more expressive)
>>
>>    Improvise with authority (I got that advice from the harp-L)
>>
>>    Be positive
>>
>>    Hold the long notes as required by the song writer.
>>Relax and have fun.....Gail
>>
>>_______________________________________________
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>>

Chris Michalek

www.michalekstrone.com
CD Available
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michalekstrone