Re: [Harp-L] practice harps/accelerated learning

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 11/1/2007 12:50:57 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

I use  the best harps I have for practice.  I think I'm like most  
'practicing harmonica players' here when I say that after my warm-up, the  
practice session is about discovery and invention.  The whole reason  I use 
excellent harps is because there is so much more to discover and  invent on 
them.  I have a bag of new techniques that do not even work  on my cheaper 
harps, or don't sound that good on them.  I want to  keep inventing more.


Here is a short cut - it works with the students that I've "test  driven".
 
Don't think "practice" any longer. There is no Practice VS  Performance
 
Every time you pick up your harmonica, it is to be in performance mode.  Now, 
granted, you might be "performing" how to TB bend the 3 hole inhale to the  
first bend, but you are in a performance mind set. You might be "performing" a  
blues scale up and down for 5 minutes increasing your speed gradually.
 
Treat every moment with the sacredness of your performance  attitude. Try to 
adapt the stance of performance - no more slouching in the  chair with a half 
a**ed attempt at making a harmonica noise. Even while driving,  if you pretend 
you have a recording studio in the car w/mics and you are making  a harmonica 
track, the time you spend on the harmonica becomes "accelerated" in  
time/accomplishment ration.
 
Don't use crummy harmonicas - ever. You can have a "pocket" harmonica that  
you wouldn't need for a gig, but that "pocket" harmonica should be tuned when 
it  starts to sound off, gapped when needed and cleaned out regularly.
 
It is an interesting way to put "sacred" into more of the time you spend on  
the harmonica - results are pretty amazing - however, you do have to give it  
100% of your heart/soul.
 
Accelerated learning - like the 5 minutes/day. Twice the results in half  the 
time.
 
This is one of the reasons my students pay me $$ - not only to teach them a  
new technique, but to teach them how to accelerate their learning.
 
The Iceman



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