Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica Progress

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Blowinharp wrote:

> I am trying to progress my playing and get out of a rut. I am wondering if
> there is any one thing or multiple things people did (ie. scale exercises,
> tone exercise, or general training exercise) that really elevated their
> playing?
>
> Any and all answers will help!
>
> Kevin

Kevin you don't state what level of playing at which you are currently 
stuck or what your goals are once you get unstuck. I'll offer this 
advice anyway.

I was at a point on blues harp learning curve where I had the mechanics 
of playing fairly well down and had a little library of blues licks that 
I could call upon. I could comp to most any blues song but I didn't know 
where to go from there to become a better diatonic harmonicist.

That was when one of my mentors, Paul Davies, gave me some of the best 
harmonica-related advice I've had. "Learn to play some melodies." 
Whaaat? I thought that would take me a step back to the "Red River 
Valley" track I started my harmonica adventure on. But of course there 
are far more challenging songs to learn and in doing so, I became far 
more intimate and friendly with my favorite little instrument.

So that's my advice. Learn to play some intricate melodies. You'll thank 
me later, just as I am still thanking Paul.

Michelle