Dylan wrote:
> LJS
>
> I guess I just wanted to brainstorm with the group to find out the
> best way to improve upon what I'm already doing. More especially to
> clarify the next step of my development i.e. - to build up a
> repertoire. There isn't really a problem, because I just practice what
> I feel like and have some fun with it along the way.
>
Never hurts to get multiple opinions. You have to find the right
learning style for you.
> I'm currently using 3 harps in the keys of C, D and A, that is, I
> would be playing to music in the keys of G, A, and E respectively. I
> also practice every fortnight with two other musicians - a drummer and
> a guitarist. I really need to take on board what you are saying about
> practicing with recordings.
The good thing about blues is that basically the changes are all the
same, so once you learn how to play what others are already doing, you
can develop your own style and "mix and match" what you have learned
from one tune to another and from one harp from another as each harp
has the same "fingerings" or patterns so if you learn it on a harp in
A you also know it in D and C harps! Very convenient.
> I can play scales and chord tones over chords - this is part of my
> training routine. I don't know how to learn by listening, because I
> haven't tried it. Do I simply put on some random songs and try to jam
> along with them, or do I carefully select songs and make them into
> projects? I have downloaded backing tracks which clearly state the
> key, so I haven't had a need to overcome that problem up until now. If
> I'm listening to recordings by artists I have to try to find the key.
> However, taking on board your advice, LJS - determining the key is
> im****tant to ear training and should be part of my learning.
Yes, At first, that will be a bit difficult until you get the hang of
it, but if you play the best you can of what you hear the artist
playing, you should be able to occassionally lock in on his licks and
then you know that you are in the right key with your harp, or at
least that you are close. If you can play your blues scale over all
three of the chord changes, then you are probably in the right key.
You might have your guitar player play along with some of the
recordings that you like and have him help with finding the correct
key and that will save you some time, but you should learn to hear it
yourself.
As to how to learn by playing along with the recording, just play and
learn to listen to the music and to yourself at the same time. Once
you can do this, you can hear what he has played and you can hear what
you have played and you can go back and do it again until you get it
right! There are shareware programs that will help you do this.
The other thing is to just use the recording as the backing track. So
you have two harps at the same time. So what! You are then playing
with your "idol" and you are hearing what he does at the same time
that you are trying to repeat what he did and to make up your own
things as well. The goal here is really only to learn to listen to
Yourself play and to the music at the same time. When you can do this,
you will be much better at self evaluation and you progress will take
off.
> In terms of practicing technique, I'm trying to to cover the
> techniques listed at:
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/DiatonicTechniques.html
>
> I haven't thought about style, Joey really answered my question when
> he advised that there are many different approaches to playing. I
> guess I really want to learn a bit more about theory, but don't know
> what I need to learn - if this makes any sense. However, my interest
> is piqued regarding flattened notes.
>
> Kind Regards
> Dylan
Joey has given you good advice, but don't limit yourself to only that.
You have to find your own learning style and this will be shaped by
what you want to learn and what you are interested after you start to
play things that come from your own listening and creative
experience.
That link has all harmonica technique with little (if any) real music
theory. I would say that after you get the hang of listening to
yourself and to play along with some recordings (try to learn
something just as it is on the recording) and you can start to play a
little bit more of what you hear and make music with it, then I would
start to think about learning theory. By that time, you will have
developed some ear skills that will help and it is much easier to
learn about notes, scales and cords if you can hear and play them. You
will also start to get an idea of how much theory you need to learn
(if any!) and you can then focus on using everything at your disposal
to reach the goals that you want to with your playing.
Hope this helps you get in the right direction.
LJS
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