[Harp-L] How do you practice harmonica

[The Iceman]

I developed a unique approach 26 years ago and it has been shown to be pretty successful to those that stick to it EXACTLY for 2 weeks. (Used to teach it at seminars and at my Blues Week Classes).
It's the "5 minute/day" routine.
and it goes like this-
First, ask student if he is willing to commit to only 5 min/day practicing harmonica. (Never got a "no" response).
Then you say, "That's great! HOWEVER, their are a few caveats you must follow:
1.It must be the SAME 5 minutes each day - maybe from 7:30 pm to 7:35 pm, 8 am to 8:05 am, whatever, but you must never deviate from this. (No skipping a day and making it 10 minutes the next day, for example).
2. It must be in the same quiet place in which you will NOT BE DISTURBED. No barking dog, no phone ringing, convincing your wife to not pester you during this time, etc. 
3. You must only choose 1 or 2 aspects on which you wish to concentrate - LONG TONES, single notes, whatever)
4. You must commit to this exact regiment for 2 weeks (14 days in a row)
5. You must set a timer for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, your homework is done and then you can go outside and play with your friends. However, if you wish to continue a bit, (for extra credit), that's fine.
It works on a psychological level in which you create a "sacred space" for your focused practice. If you can keep it up for those 14 days, something magic will happen inside you. 
The hard part is to commit exactly to those 14 days with all the caveats.
In my classes at Augusta Heritage Blues Week of 35 students, I'd estimate 2 or 3 would actually commit and do it, based on the emails I received from them a few weeks later. All were amazed at how it changed things for them in regards to approaching practice.
Of course, one may choose to continue this routine if they like, but whatever they decide, it helps instill focus, discipline, and rapid growth in their learning their instrument.
Works great for beginners and more advanced folk as well.
BTW, don't knock it until you try it


On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 05:08:34 PM EDT, David Fairweather <dmf273 at xxxxx> wrote:

Just curious - who has a regular practice routine?  How often and how long
do you practice.  What do you practice?

Me, I've been practicing about 1-2 hours a day.  Scales, riffs and songs.
Mostly using the Barry Harris method as espoused by various YouTubers,
when I can apply it to harmonica.