Posted on 03/01/2005 3:35:54 PM PST by Bear_Slayer
I've been learning to play harmonica for the last year. I've hit a learning curve. I'm seeking
from other conservative musicians.
Buy some recordings of "The Harmonicats". That will keep you focused like you wouldn't believe.
Use an accordian, go to jail.
My son is an incredible blues harpist. First of all. It's a harp. He bends notes. I don't know how and I don't think he does either. He learned from an old brain damaged roadie name Tulsa Reed. I would love to know whether he's still around. Alan uses a special mike as, I think, do all harp players. The harmonica and the mike are held together so you need to have pretty good sized hands. The mike is an old fashioned thingie. I'll ask him what it's called. It looks like an old radio timey radio mike.
He carries several with him, one for each key. They are inexpensive but if you're any good, you blow out the reeds pretty fast and have to replace them. He doesn't actually read music but can "read" it and play harmony and knows what key to use to jump into a jam session. He isn't really the sit down and play a tune sort of guy. Best of luck.
Try not to get TOO much spit inside your instrument.
What do you say to a harmonica player (or banjo player or drummer, fill in the blank)in a three piece suit?
scroll down
Will the defendant please rise.
You might be interested in:
http://beanblossomblues.com/
Take your teeth out before you play. The music will flow much more smoothly.
Two Words:
Magic Dick.
That is all.
*Bumping* for later to see what FR's harp contingent has to say (the intro to Zep's "When the Levee Breaks" inspired me to pick up harp about a few months ago).
I'm not a harp player (can figure out a few tunes, but that's about it), but it might help if you elaborate a bit on what style you're trying for.
Making music is wonderful, isn't it?
booked
Greetings, greetings...
Allright Bear Slayer, plenty of encouragement here. The harmonica's a great instrument (I used to argue that it wasn't), I started playing back in the 70's when in Boy Scouts. Practice practice practice. I got real good wailing around the campfire. When I started playing Bluegrass music I picked it back up. Than punk etc. well...
I play a straight country, blues bendy style. Up to now have used about every Hohner there is but I'm always blowing out the reeds. Have just bought an Oskar, they have a replaceable reed system and it seems to bend notes real well so far. Was suggested by a guy in another alt-country band around here (Baltimore and I play guitar/harp/steel/vocal w/Yankee Network). But you really can't go wrng with a Hohner. Depends on what you want to play. What stuff are you into?
Jimmy McFadden of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's one of my favs or the guy from the Ozark Mountain Daredevils...
Bet ya thought I was kidding. My Dad was a trombone player (as a hobby, not profession) and he hooked up with some guys playing big band swing. When the harmonicats became popular that sold him on buying a harmonica and he took right to it. The cool thing about a harmonica is you can play it while driving, which is difficult to do with a trombone.
You bet, I have one of those neck holders for when you're playing guitar and its great for driving around on a sunny afternoon.
I drove app. 60k miles last year. I decided to buy a harp and learn to play it while I drove, since I had so much time on my hands. While I'm no pro, I think I'm pretty good. I bought a cassette tape from the music shop with my first harp. It said on the cassette case to listen to the tape twice before ever picking up the harp. That helped. One thing that's neat about playing while driving is that if you're no good, the other drivers don't know it. I just wail on mine at stop lights and the other drivers think I'm so cool. Beware of the police.
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