[Harp-L] My thoughts on harmonica tablature

[Ken Deifik <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Whenever I see a request for tablature on Harp-l the old fart in me kicks 
in and I grouse to myself "Just pick up the damned instrument and work out 
the tune."

But then I recall that 10 years ago, 30 years into my playing life, I 
bought Glenn Weiser's terrific book of Irish Fiddle Tunes for Harmonica.  I 
learned a few pieces from there, strictly by tab.  I've linked a recording 
I did of one of those pieces at:

http://www.harmonicaguitar.com/The%20Road%20To%20Lisdoonvarna.mp3

(I've changed the articulations and phrasing to suit my view of the melody, 
and added a few notes, so don't blame Weiser.)

But those were tunes I didn't know.  For the most part I only heard them 
for the first time as I played them out of Weiser's book.

Learning tunes you actually know on harp WITHOUT tab is a great skill, one 
that broadens your playing in every way.  I don't know a single player that 
I'd describe as intermediate who can't do this.  I can't recommend this 
skill enough for newer players.  So here's my suggestion to newer players 
when you realize that you want some tab to learn a tune on harp: give it at 
least two to five hours of trying to figure out the piece on your own with 
the harp in your mouth before you go searching for tab on the internet.

For most players, after one or two tunes you'll never look for tab 
again.  You'll hear a tune, you'll play it.

Here are some extra benefits to working this way.
1. You'll probably work your first tunes out without the sneaky little 
details that really bring the piece to life.  After you've worked out the 
tune for yourself, THEN go get good, authoritative tab and learn the sneaky 
bits, and you'll start learning the level of detail that really great 
playing often entails.

2. While working tunes out you'll make mistakes.  Some of those mistakes, a 
few of them, will sound really cool.  Those mistake licks belong to 
you.  Learn them well and use them.

Many of my best guitar rhythms emerged while I was trying to copy a groove 
I heard on a record.  I never came CLOSE to mimicking that groove before a 
completely different groove emerged, and it belonged to ME.

Ken