Re: [Harp-L] harp vs. guitar

[Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>]

I totally agree with Richard on this one. 

My first instrument was harmonica. Easy to learn to toodle around with Mary had 
a Little Lamb, but it took me many many frustrating years to become competent to 
the level I wanted. That process started about 35 years ago. 

Then a few years ago I took up acoustic guitar. after figuring out a few basic 
major and minor chord positions and a few pesky bar chord positions, I found I 
could play at a fairly decent level after about a year of practice. Now I've 
reached a plateau with guitar and must decide whether I want to start learning 
my scales in order to take leads on guitar. I'm happy where I am because I 
mostly use guitar to back myself as I sing and play my harp in rack. 

I found that as I was learning guitar, I was able to bring much of my body of my 
existing knowledge and feel for music to bear. At the same time, my efforts with 
guitar heavily influenced my harp playing since now--being forced to know what 
chord I was playing on guitar--I could more readily find appropriate paths to 
play on harp. 

Harpin' in Colorado,
Ken M.



________________________________
From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, October 25, 2010 3:02:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] harp vs. guitar

The hardest instrument to learn is always your first, whatever that is, because 
that's the one where you learn to play music.  


Playing an instrument is about mechanics, which almost anyone can master given 
time, effort, and a little knowledgeable help.  Playing music is about 
connecting a physical gesture with an emotion, and that's a lot harder than 
learning where to put your fingers to get a certain sound.

Once you've learned to play music, the next instrument is a lot easier than the 
first.

And of course ANY dummy can play a guitar...

Regards, Richard Hunter




author, "Jazz Harp" 
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
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