Harmonica is easy?

This may have come up countless times. The large majority of my friends are having difficulty understanding, what seems to be my apparent issues and limited abilities in playing the Harmonica. Once I think I have mastered it then comes another plateau and challenges such as lip puckering to tongue blocking, bending, vibrato, octave blocking, tremolo, positions, and how positions blend in with theory: and the list goes on and on. Now I am starting to doubt myself and believe I should be investing in a piano or saxophone. Have others been there?.

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I think you must be the only one … LOL – just kidding, of course.

I doubt that anyone has not been there ! It’s what separates the “curds and the whey” :crazy_face:

Regards,
– Slim :sunglasses:

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Hello @craiginker,
Oh yes, I was and still am there regularly.
Stay tuned anyway! It is such a feeling of happiness when you have found the way even after overcoming many stones.
Yes, playing the harmonica looks easy from the outside. The ignorant do not know what we have to learn inside, such as the mouth, throat and breathing, in order to conquer the small instrument.
Do not orient yourself to the specialists who have been playing since childhood or adolescence! Everything needs it’s time!
Don’t get stuck on a task! Come back to it later and learn other things! Just because it’s the next lesson doesn’t mean it’s the next one. Everyone learns different! Regards from Astrid :woman_in_lotus_position:

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Yeppp
I have just decided to take it real slow.
I get there bit by bit. I dont think any instrument would be that different. My friend is learning yukele. She sounds horrible. She is quite a good pianist and understands theory but mastering different techniques is, what it is. Time, effort, passion and your age will unfortunately dictate the speed you can advance on a new learning curve but not necessarily the height you can achieve. If you love stick to it.
I’m also learning Italian. I used to pick up languages really quickly but now it requires lots of note taking and practise.
Good luck.

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Like a great man once wrote, “you are a fool of the universe, You have no right to be here. Give up.” :wink:

It’s all about the journey, not the destination. I love learning new physical tasks for the lessons it teaches me spiritually and intellectually.

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@craiginker easiest instrument to play, hardest to master, right?

I agree with everyone else – the trick is to enjoy the journey. What else can we do?

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I saw the great jazz violinist, Stéphane Grappelli, in the 80’s. He came out between sets and asked if we’d mind if he played some piano. He was a virtuoso. He apologized for his playing and stated that he had originally intended to become a jazz pianist and was pleased with his progress but in about 1940 heard Art Tatum and decided he could never be good enough. I guess that was his “Once I think I have mastered it….” moment.

Just stay with harmonica. Enjoy the plateaus and savour the peaks as you begin each ascent.

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Hello craiginker! You know, I was complaining to a friend the other day who is a musician. He told me, “Until you have practiced 10,000 hours, don’t come crying to me.” Well, that was no help…,LOL But it did put it all into perspective for me. Hang in there! (Saying this to myself as well as you).

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someone said to me that however hard it is learning techniques remember all the greats have been there too and without youtube to help them. Hope that gives you some inspiration to keep going abd good luck in your journey. Dont forget to have fun too.

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