Re: [Harp-L] New Member Introduction

[Robert Rowe <robertrowe2@xxxxxxx>]

I approach learning a new instrument this way because that's how I learned to learn a new instrument. When I was 6 mrs McKinney not only taught me the beginnings of 12 years of classical piano study. She taught me a framework of rigor and discipline for learning that served me well in learning new instruments for the rest of my life. Our roads may come with different bends, but the destination is the same. ð

On May 28, 2013, at 11:42 PM, Fran_3 <mailbox0600@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Kelly, thanks for the comments. I think I talked to The Iceman way back but never followed through.
> 
> And yep, I can recognize the difference between thin and reedy and good tone... now if I can just get my chops as good as my ear :-)
> 
> I'm takin' a little different path than you on the harmonica... but we're more or less headed in the same direction...
> 
> But ultimately, I'm just ambling along down my own winding harmonica road... wonderin' what's round the next bend...
> 
> But... if I never get any further... I will still have fun with the instrument... as we all do, I imagine.
> 
> 
> From: Robert Rowe <robertrowe2@xxxxxxx>
> To: M. Box <mailbox0600@xxxxxxxxx> 
> Cc: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
> Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 9:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] New Member Introduction
> 
> Welcome to the group!  I agree. You are not a player, but let not that discourage your abundant zeal and enthusiasm. I have been learning for 18 months now, and I am not a "player" either. Before I taught myself too stupid I took f2f lessons from one of the finest teachers in the world, The Iceman, Larry Eisenberg. You can play some notes with a fair degree of accuracy. But how do they sound?  Thin and reedy?  Robust and well rounded?  Do you know the difference?  Can you project your tone well?  I spent the first weeks of lessons on just the 4 blow, developing tone, volume and projection. Then came 4 draw, followed by some adjacent holes. In time I hit each hole dead on pucker style with my eyes closed. 
> 
> Then came bending on a single harp. You're mouth shape is different when bending the different holes on the same harp. Eventually I was able to bend 2-4 some. After lots of practice I started to get the first half step bends in tune according to the strobe. Deeper bends can still cause me fits. Enter the second key. None of the mouth shapes I learned to bend the A harp worked at all on the D harp. It's like learning a new instrument. Close, but no Peterson strobe cookie. Not only do you have to adjust from hole to hole, but also harp to harp. 
> 
> Cross harp?  Not without first mastering those deep bends I mentioned.  Otherwise it's straight harp, starting on the wrong hole, and omitting the difficult to get notes. Overdraw and overbend? We're both years away from worrying about such advanced techniques. If you can't wait to start popping in some accidentals, get a chrome. 
> 
> These core competences ddont come fast or cheap. I spend about 25% of my practice time giving them my. Full attention. 2 minutes at a traffic light or a TV commercial does not count. FOCUS. 
> 
> Tongue blocking is not an option.  
> 
> Kelly
> 
> > Hello Harp-L list members.
> > 
> > My introduction to you guys...
> > 
> > First, I don't consider myself a 'player' yet...
> > 
> > 
> > But, here is where I am with the harmonica...
> > 
> > - I play diatonic
> > - I play Lee Oskar harmonicas. Why? Not sure. Just got started with them and can't seem to break them.
> > - I can play single notes (but occasionally miss and hit a double)
> > - I can play each note top to bottom (hole 1 thru 10 blow and draw)
> > - I can pick out simple tunes
> > - I can bend notes
> > 
> > - I can play cross harp (2nd position) and create my own blues-like improvisation (but haven't stopped to learn others famous licks yet)
> > - I'm a pucker player right now - not sure tongue-blocking is worth the effort, except' maybe for braggin' rights :-)
> > - I haven't played with a band or with backing tracks (yet)
> > - I keep a C and an A harp in the car and may sneak 'em in the office on the weekends :-)
> > - I also keep a C and an A harp handy at the house - often by my easy chair or on the porch.
> > - I have a couple of other keys but don't play them to much while I'm learning.
> > 
> > - My next goal is to learn to over-blow so I can play the complete chromatic scale from top to bottom on the harmonica.
> > - Then I should be able to play any position and play any tune.
> > 
> > - I falso have to work on better accuracy on hitting single notes
> > - then I hope to learn play faster... (accuracy first for me... then, hopefully, fast will come)
> > 
> > I'll be posting a lot of questions so thanks in advance for any help, tips, and/or comments.
>