But, what is it you wish for? Do you want to play in a band? Do you want to become a professional? Do you want to just play for your own amusement? The variables are enormous. It will be interesting to read what forum members wish for, their ambitions, how they hope to achieve their wishes or if they are content with their present achievements? Although it’s a multiple choice question there are no wrong answers so let’s put together a forum member wish list.
To start the ball rolling I’ve gone through the wanting to play in a band; done that, too time consuming and in my band playing days far too much second-hand smoke; still doing the recording bit but only when asked because I don’t want to let people down. Never did like or do open mic sessions. Still quite enjoy impromptu jams and customising non-valve chromatics. Jay1
Im 65 and still running a company putting in 60 hour weeks. I have a long list of things I want do ‘when I retire’ but i’m beginning to think when that day comes i’ll be too old to do them. Top two on my list are travel and music and my musical ambitions are limited to finding a bunch of like minded beginner to fumbling level blues enthusiats who just want to meet up once a fortnight for informal jams in each others homes. I’ve done the band thing playing bass and have no ambition to repeat that.
@chris3 Thanks for helping to get this ball rolling, who knows there might be some musical matches made Jay1
Hey @chris3 aren’t there any blues clubs where you can jam? Do that another ambition filled?
Hey @Jay1 I would still love to sing and play harp in a Blues band. I’ve jammed with quite a few name bands in the UK, and I’m building a rep, but it’s really finding like minded musicians who don’t want to just play heavy rock in a 12 bar and call it blues. The UK is a very frustrating play to play harmonica I’ve found, especially when your from an area that is known for its heavy rock and metal bands. But most people seem hungry up on Clapton,Green and so on. We really don’t have much in the way of famous harp players along the lines of the USA I can name a small handful but that’s about it.
Could this forum with its mix of skills probably including some good UK players be a way towards change? Could a list develop? UK is a relatively small group of countries, might it be possible to map areas where good players interested in playing different types of music are willing to travel to play? Suspect it could work in other countries as well. Just a random thought. Jay1
Not a bad Idea, most of the serious players where I live all know each other, because there’s so few of us I’m viewed as a sort of elder statement/Veteran we are all good friends, the difference is some of them are younger so they learned off the Net, whereas I learned by listening, they still respect me enough to ask me how I play things and what my approach to this song and that song is makes me laugh because seriously I have no Idea!! I learned myself some of the terms people use for stuff? Well I have different terms and names for techniques, there’s one or two I envy, because they are in the bands I’d kill to be in!! And they are great players but when we play together they always say to me things like "oh man I wish I could do that, and commenting on my age and how much energy I have when I play. It’s nice and it feels like an exclusive club because there’s so few of us
Which part of the country are you in? I live in South West England and there is a lot of music played in the area but working as a lawyer dealing with international disputes and negotiation I’m not home enough to commit to playing on a regular basis. If a list of available players and their areas of music and travel could be established this forum could be the go to place for harmonica players.
From my Lamborghini post you’ll have possibly gathered that I like to explore thought provoking areas where @chris3 & @cloves-fibs0f responded with some additional thoughts.Jay1
Hi @Jay1 I love in old hill in the Black country just a little way from Birmingham we really have a good scene here ( although Brummies wouldn’t know a good pint of beer if it jumped up and bit them)
It’s odd you sort out international disputes with a pen. My old job was sorting them out with an SLR. ( I’m a veteran) I think what you do peacefully is a far better way of doing things.
I wish to be at a point where I’m skilled enough to do some busking, for starters. I feel like I’m very close to that, but I also know I have a lot of work to do on my craft.
Watch out or you’ll have Brummies on your back! My legal specialism is in what’s known as ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution which is negotiating hopefully for an out of court settlements, although sometimes we do have to go to court. UK courts can now require cases to engage in ADR. Recently had a case involving four different nationalities with no common language, that was fun, a SLR might have resolved things quicker. Do you think some kind of register of players and geographical areas could work? It would have to become known to other musicians and I think @Luke would have to be on board. It’s just a thought if a lot of players respond that they find it difficult to link-up with other musicians. Jay1
Great topic @Jay1
I started playing guitar in 2022 at 51 yrs old. I was about to be side lined from a surgery for 6 months (no hiking and working out) so I took up guitar
I started playing harmonica In January 2024
I play both for myself mostly. My wife also likes my playing. I also make some quirky songs for family members birthdays and such - record and send.
I went busking for the first time this past week and enjoyed it.
I have jammed with one other musician. But it was a random thing.
I would enjoy getting into a band for fun. I am not actively seeking but if the opportunity arose, I’d jump in.
BTW - I’m out of the US.
Mike
Hey @Michaelgb93 i heard your demo you put out in another thread. In my opinion I believe you could start busking or jam with some similarly skilled players in a band for sure.
Just my 2 cents 
Mike
@Michaelgb93 Hi Michael, have look at @cloves-fibs0f post below, he’s just done his first busking session and enjoyed it. It’s something I’ve never done or even wanted to do but if you’re skilled enough and want to do it I’d say bite the bullet. We’ve always a lot of work to do on our various crafts because we never stop learning but 99% of your ‘audience’ won’t know that and the other 1% is probably yourself. Jay1
@cloves-fibs0f Mike, Good 2 cents worth Jay1
@cloves-fibs0f I really appreciate the confidence, thank you! I’ve been working on my timing a lot and you know, I think I am going to go try some busking out!!
@Jay1 That’s a really good and valid point. Thank you for that!
Hi @Michaelgb93, @Jay1 and @cloves-fibs0f, I still consider myself to be a beginner, and I don’t have any ambition to play in a group or even to busk, but I have a funny story to tell. It was funny to me anyway.
I live in Mandurah in Western Australia, it’s a tourist town situated by the ocean and an estuary with canals, boat harbor, boardwalks etc. Lots of interstate and international visitors. I live within walking distance of the main center, and I’ve taken to playing harmonica while I walk and then sitting and playing somewhere near the various activities. Deliberately not right in front of anyone but near enough that I know some people will be able to hear me. To build up my confidence that way and also because there are noise and people activity distractions to get used to rather than just being alone in the quiet of my own home. A few days ago, I was sitting near the dolphin tours jetty, playing a melody. I closed my eyes to focus on playing well and finished the tune. When I opened my eyes, there was a Japanese tourist standing in front of me, videoing me with her phone. I put my harmonica down, she put her phone down, we both smiled, and she walked off to get on the boat. Maybe I can call that my first public appearance, but she didn’t give me any money.
That’s awesome @PapaCurly - great story.
That’s really not too much different than busking.
@Michaelgb93 papacurly’s story might be a great way for you too start getting out and getting comfortable - before I went busking last week - I would walk through busy places (beach, outdoor farmers market, neighborhood, etc) a play the harmonica. Or Sit on a bench near a busy market and play without any sign or money jars. Not performing - Just walking or sitting and jamming…. in public.
Yes, I think it’s a great Idea, you could also put a skill set on such as, diatonic Blues harp, Chromatic blues harp, Vocals. Etc. Yes I think it’s pretty good thinking
You could also put seeking or not seeking a band