@Hogie.Harmonica what a beautiful post my bro. I’m so happy for your presence here on this forum. Rock on! 
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At first playing music for me was Therapy for my lung, and my mental health, but since coming on here I’ve not only improved my technique and playing but I’ve been able to help others learn some of the bits I struggled with. And when I’ve read that they’ve managed whatever goal it is they are trying to achieve it really has bought a smile to my face. I really do love this site. Even my wife has said it’s brought out another side to me
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@chris3 @AuldWilly I think Chris3 is wrong when he wrote ‘just go easy on the groupies’, remember; you’re only as old as the groupies you feel 
. This seems to be a very honest forum, warts and all so I feel a bit of a fraud on here not having touched a diatonic harp for at least a couple of years and now only playing chromatic when I’m invited or when working abroad, when it’s mainly to get away from dull legal colleagues. Probably enjoy written music theory and the technical side of customising more than playing and certainly don’t want to play in front of an audience, been there, done that and didn’t really enjoy it 
Things I do enjoy are: (a) using what harmonica skills I may have to help others solve problems and (b) asking thought provoking questions to get ideas flowing. Having written that; I’m now going to my hidey-hole, pull up the drawbridge and think 'to play or not to play? Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outraged harmonica players, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles and be drummed out of the forum’ (With apologies to Will the words) Jay1
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Great post!
My very first post here! I’m 64, been playing since 10 or so. I mainly play in churches and other events…even played one time in an orchestra. Never ceases to amaze me how many people STILL don’t recognize the harmonica as a viable instrument.
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Hi
Welcome. There are many experienced like your self here @Hogie.Harmonica etc also like myself an enthusiastic amateur. Maybe repost here. Introduce Yourself! - #1736 by Luke
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I am feeling this a bit now. My wish is to get people excited about advancing their musicianship, by 1) modeling it and hopefully helping people see the harmonica can be more than they think, and 2) capturing knowledge and organizing it, 3) building my understanding of the harmonica world so that I am better positioned to help it thrive.
It is ambitious and sometimes too much. But like most things that take a lot of effort, rewarding in friendships and a sense of fulfillment.
It’ll be more years before I am the player I want to be. But growth continues month after month, and I keep being shocked that I have not hit a plateau for almost 2 years now.
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You’re definitely accomplishing that! I’ve had a lot of good advice and encouragement from you, HarpinBobby, Luke, Andy, toogdog and probably many others from this here thread alone - this type of community is way better than a hypothetical “lager” one that has 1000’s of members, so keep doing what you are doing!
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