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neatness vs playing harmonica

Pats

Pats

Well-Known Member
V.I.P Member
@Judge This is more than 240 characters so I'm starting a thread.
When my oldest son was little we were fingerpainting with my sister and her son. I happened to look up and notice that my sister and her son were both up to their elbows in paint. Then I looked at my son and we both were using out fingertips, trying to not be covered in paint. (It'll make sense in a minute. lol) I don't know if it's an ASD thing or just a neatness thing.
It's like once I remember seeing flies landing on this person and the person didn't seem to notice or care. That would have driven me out of my mind. I hate it if a piece of clothing slides out of place. I need to feel as everything is intact and where it belongs in a sense.
This is interfering with learning to play the harmonica. I get the notes and know where they are. My problem is if I try to use my tongue to cover the holes I'm going to have spit where it doesn't belong and I can't do it. Arghhh! Not to mention, I can find the holes and sometimes manage to blow into just the one hole - sometimes - with my lips, but I can't find anything trying to use my tongue - guess my tongue either isn't that smart or just won't cooperate.
I think everything I do is - not sure there's even a word for it - so guess I'll say tight. When I take a drink - it's more like sipping probably.
Is there a way to learn to play single notes on the harmonica without using my tongue and leaving slobber behind?
Dumb post, I know - but it's driving me nuts because I really want to play.
 
Have you ever played any other musical instruments before?

When I first learned to play the trumpet, they wouldn't let us simply "dive" into attempting to play much of anything. The instructor started off with the fundamentals of technique. Learning simply to blow properly into the mouthpiece. Which isn't as simple as it may appear. Where you must form your lips in very specific manner to make it work.

The point is, you have to establish the "feel" of the harmonica with both your tongue, and the sense to know when to pull air, versus pushing it. To literally learn to breathe the harmonica versus merely blowing it. It doesn't happen overnight even when you clearly understand the technique required.

Another thing I learned was that in going from one note to another, to smoothly slide the harmonica. When learning, even if you hit the wrong notes it will sound better, if that makes any sense. As you get better and hit the right holes for the right notes, it will all sort of "blend" making for a more pleasant sound.

Once you establish good technique, then you can move on to actually trying to play a piece of music by ear alone.

In the meantime, like any other musical instrument it takes three things relative to technique, as well as everything else:

1. PRACTICE
2. PRACTICE
3. PRACTICE

And have fun doing it. ;)
 
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Yes, I do get the pulling in vs pushing out.
I tried a neighbor's saxophone once and I definitely understand having to learn to blow into the mouth piece just right.
I took piano for 8 years when I was young and my favorite instrument would be electric guitar (if it doesn't have a guitar, it isn't music - to me. :) ) But my left hand has never worked right and has limited use so I could never play well with my left hand and the guitar - my left hand wouldn't wrap around the neck or be able to press the right strings or multiple strings. So my left hand is basically useless. I also love the sound of the harmonica and that's why I want to learn to play it. I'm thinking it may be possible that my tongue could be as unable to do detailed things as my left hand is. lol I can play Danny Boy where I can recognize what I'm trying to play, but a lot of other notes gets played along. (guess I could play everything in chords, heh?) lol
I'll practice. Still trying to figure out if my dog goes crazy because he likes it or because he hates it.
 
Learning specific chords to actual songs can also be fun.

Especially if you can keep up with Keith Relf of the Yardbirds: :cool:


 
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YES!!!! That's all a good band needs - guitar, harmonica, drums and vocal. Not many people appreciate that kind of talent today. And I always liked that song.
Also always liked Mark Farner's harmonica and his voice never fails to put me in a good mood.
Now, if you'll excuse me I need to go turn some good music on here. :) You've just turned my day into a good music, good day.
 
Pats said:
YES!!!! That's all a good band needs - guitar, harmonica, drums and vocal. Not many people appreciate that kind of talent today. And I always liked that song.
Also always liked Mark Farner's harmonica and his voice never fails to put me in a good mood.
Now, if you'll excuse me I need to go turn some good music on here. :) You've just turned my day into a good music, good day.
Click to expand...

On Youtube there's another video of Keith Relf where he's doing quite a great harmonica solo of "I'm a Man". I tried to link it here, but it wouldn't work.

Bob Dylan is also another artist I enjoy hearing playing his harmonica. :cool:
 
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