@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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I enjoy making music and tinkering with a few harmonicas! No ambition to play in a band. I do play gosple with flute and penny whistle! accompanied by a grand piano! No PA system! Want to share acoustic music not from a speaker! I would like to become confident with harmonica to play at a local open mic.
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I’ve just started doing the course having never played before up to now my wish is simple. I go away in June and i would love to be able to knock out a couple of tunes by then just for fun. Then come Christmas be able to play some Christmas ones too when the families round. Oh yes most of them don’t know I’ve started to learn so it would come as a shock to them.
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There is no reason to “go away in June”, you are welcome to stay, share, and grow your musical skills. Your input and thoughts are what make communities, like this, great. The more people share their insights, the more possibilities exist that someone will connect with those ideas and be inspired.
Hope to hear more from you. Thanks for being here.
Enjoy music.
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I really want to perform my own original songs live, either in a small group or with a full band. I like songwriting, making up solos, and entertaining an audience so I shift more towards the “carving my own path” route as an artist than the “copy exactly the licks of every player before you” one. I like to experiment with a lot of genres within my music, even in my vocal synth works, as I believe the harmonica is NOT as one dimensional as people think it is (both in and outside the harmonica community).
I actually have my own method when it comes to reaching my creative goals. It involves setting a well-defined intention, finding out what I need to do to make my goal a reality, and creating a routine that will lead me to it. Sometimes I use a ritual like dancing to upbeat music in a room with a lot of space or adding certain elements to my practice space to help get the creative juices flowing, but that’s more of a personal thing I like to do.
lol but i have to it’s all booked but I’ll be back in a week. unless they have Wi-Fi then i won’t be gone at all. Just sat by the lake harp in hand and mouth chillin
Ah, then enjoy your time, rest and relaxation can bring inspiration as well.
Enjoy your time, we will be here.