[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 75, Issue 51

[jkoryta@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Nate, 



Have to agree with icemanle on getting in touch with an instructor if you can afford it and if a compet ent one is available. You canÂexpend a lot of energy developing Âpoor habits. H aving someone assist early on can really help. Site reading music can help butÂdoesn't seem to be Ânecessary IMHO. 



Jim K 






-----Original Message----- 
From: Nate Finch <nate.finch@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Tue, Nov 17, 2009 4:07 pm 
Subject: [Harp-L] A couple questions from a beginner 

Hi all, 

I'm a month into learning the harp, still a consummate beginner, working on 
getting clean 2 & 3 draw notes and making my note transitions smooth. ÂI've 
been working mainly off Jon Gindick's book, Rock 'N Blues Harmonica, and a 
couple other random harmonica books I got from the library, plus whatever 
youtube brings up. ÂI try to practice every day for a half hour to an hour 
(more when I can, which is not often). 

Do you think I should be looking into one-on-one lessons at this point, or 
keep plugging away until I really get the basics down? 

Second question - how important is it to be able to sight-read music? ÂI can 
read music enough to tell a 16th note b flat from a 1/4 note C, but can't 
read it well enough or fast enough to play from it. ÂHow much should I be 
working on reading and playing from music? Â I do want to learn to 
sight-read music, but it seems like it's less important for harmonica 
players than most musicians, or am I just rationalizing? 

Thanks! 

-Nate 
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