Re: [Harp-L] Re: practice

[Special20 <special20harp@xxxxxxxxx>]

All my students are on the mic from the first day.  Every session ends
with the student playing amped harp, as kind of a reward.  They get a
real kick out of it, and their mic skills grow very quickly with a
little guidance.

There is nothing wrong with beginning or intermediate harp players
buying and praticing with amps and mics.  The risk is they might
overspend or buy gear inappropriate for the sound to which they
aspire, but I can usually advise them what direction to go.  If it
keeps them fired up about harp and about getting better, then it is a
very good thing.

Acoustic practice is important, to be sure.  But so is amped pracitce
if that is what the student wants to ultimately achieve.  I think it
is wrong to tell a student he cannot play amped harp until he gets
"tone."  Tone certainly is different things to different harp players,
and I don't aim to have all my students sound exactly the same.  The
player must find his own way, and it is not up to me to weed out
players who do not comport to some arbitrary method of learning.

I just take a lot of pleasure in their progress, however they might
choose to make it.

-Spec20



On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 11:51 AM, Daniel Gage <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Dear List,
>
>  I agree very much with Joe, that acoustic tone is of paramount importance.  However, if you're like me and only practice acoustically it helps to hold a mic from time to time, so you keep your cup-seal strong.  Ryan Hartt suggests holding a tennis ball if you don't have a mic handy.
>
>  I like this topic, as practice is IMO one of the two variables that lead to success towards anything.  I think talent is the other one, but talent without practice is moot.
>
>  I rarely practiced with a formal plan, so I cannot speak to the details.  I have, however practiced a great deal.  It takes hours and hours.  No matter what you decide (folks who want tips on how to practice), you'll be better off the more hours  you have the harp stuck in your mouth.
>
>  Dan G.
>
> Joe <abcdeasy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>  I forgot to add practicing acoustically. I sort of made the mistake
> of practicing amplified before I had tone because I couldn't wait to
> get a mic and amp. Now all my practice is acoustic. I would suggest
> newbies not even think about an amp until they have good acoustic
> tone. Once they have tone they can make better choices on mics and
> amps that fit them better. Save money too !
>
> BLY
>
> On
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