Hi all,
I am new on this forum. I started my learning journey 3 months ago and am following Luke’s beginner to boss course, which I find absolutely awesome.
My question is about how best to be structure my daily training time. I try to devote about one hour per day to my harmonica, which is the maximum time I can realistically secure. How should I split it between following BTB lessons, repeating scales, agility exercices, repeating songs, practicing various techniques (vibrato, wah effect, sliding …), etc, etc. One hour is easily gone and I get the feeling I would need four hours per day to absorb everything and progress at a decent pace. I would welcome your advice as to how I should prioritise/ponder things. Thanks!
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I forgot to introduce myself: Eric, 55, French, living in Paris, married with two daughters. I started the harmonica to play with my wife, who plays guitar and sings. She started many years ago and is pretty sharp so I have a bit of catching up to do!
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Hi Eric
I would suggest Lukes course. 40 minutes. Then scales, arpeggios, and train sounds. See David Kach posts. If you can practice a couple of times a day. This does more than one long session. As soon as you can, start using backing tracks to play along with so you stay on the beat and in tune. There are some free appendix to Lukes course and hundreds on YouTube. The best are on Apple music. Don’t have too many tunes on the go. Get one perfect before adding another.
Toog Playing The Train - the Fastest Way to Harmonica Bossdom!?! - #50 by davidkachalon
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Many thanks Toog, very helpful!
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Play what you are in the mood for. Only other thing I think will help you is pick a simple song or two and begin working on them. One of the songs should have notes that require you move up and down the harmonica with blows and draws. The higher draws are what gave me the most trouble but its nothing practice will not cure. Never give up as some days will be much better than others. Welcome. You will find this forum a place people help others and are glad to do so. I have yet to read a derogatory post or anyone caring about petty things like how much money you make. Not may forums without know it all but this is one of em.
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kefferic
Como tel e vou?. Ju travallia at a french banque for duz ans and ju ami bau cu. I learmed quite a bit of French but not how to spell French words.
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Merci beaucoup Scott!
Je vais très bien … c’est sympa de lire du français sur ce forum !
As far as harmonica goes, you are right, I feel focus on a limited number of things at a time is the key. I am so eager to learn that I have a tendency to spread my efforts across too many songs and exercises, which at the end of the day is surely not the best way.
Rebounding on your comment re the forum and people on it, I have to say that after quite a bit of reading I cannot agree more! In a world where hate and aggression prevail across most social networks, it is great to see how cool this community is! I guess it goes with the instrument and music more generally 
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I don’t tweet, twist, chat or post on any social media platforms for the reasons you mentioned. I believe what I see and pay little attention to what I hear from a tv. Only exception are the U Tube post on various things that relate to the harmonica. You can learn to gap reeds, play chords, etc. When time permits search for Buddy Greene playing at Carnegie Hall. He is a great guy and just as good at playing the harp. You will see just what the harmonica can do in the right hands.
The main thing is just enjoy it and learn from your mistakes, They are the best teacher. One thing I was doing was putting too much pressure or blowing and drawing air through the harp too hard. Play the scales and focus on playing clean single notes. Without this the rest will not fall into place. I did not see the type of harmonica you have but getting a nice one at the start is best over the long haul. There are harmonica techs that can make sure the harp is set up correctly. They will make sure the reed plates are flat. the reeds gapped correctly , no air leaks and the harmonica tuned. having this at the start will help you progress faster.
My wife and i are planning to come to France later this year and I was wondering what is the best month. I was thinking early September or July, not August. Thereafter we are heading north to see northern Europe. I really want to stay on Omaha beach for a couple of days and go to Crazy Horse if its still going.
Take it a step at a time, as if we had any other choice. This year in August the SPAH gathering is in Texas and I suggest you come over if you can. You will see and hear world class players and learn more in a few days than you can in months by your self. It will be hot but the food is great and the people here very welcoming. It will be in San Antonio, which is a nice place. I have been on my journey about 19 months and things are starting to falling in place. I practice about two hours every day. Not much talent but I never quit. I just enjoy it. No plans to play in a band or in a public place. Only on my deck at night for fun. There is a book titled Harmonica Dummies that is good reading . Gets sorta technical but everything is covered. Get on online it you can as its worth it.
Avwa
Scott
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I now Do an hour and 40 minutes. Most days. But there are those days when life interferes. As long as it’s quality that you’re doing I wouldn’t worry too much. I would recommend playing along with something let your mind structure solos etc, If you can play live and video it you can pick out your mistakes from that ( that’s either with a band or solo at home) this is a brilliant tool for identifying weaknesses and improving them. If you can Identify what you are not quite getting or doing wrong you can isolate that technique and work on it. Good luck
Great tip thanks. I will record myself. Also started to play a little bit with my wife, my little personal band. Although our respective levels are very far apart, she enjoys it and is very forgiving (for now )
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Many thanks for taking the time to provide very valuable guidance!
I have a Hohner Special 20 and I find it great. Getting clear and bright single notes is indeed my primary focus right now and it is working out pretty well, thanks to Luke’s course.
July and September are both good options to come to France. July best option for weather definitely, September more risky on that front but less packed with tourists, better hotel deals, etc.
Best,
Eric
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Eric
We are planning to come over in early July. To may tourist in August. I strongly suggest you continue laying a good foundation with single note play. I doubt a harp can sound good without them. I would pick one or two songs you know well. This will help with getting the rhythm right and play the song as it should be. They do not have to be tough ones. Its the timing that caught me off guard when I started. I cannot emphasize listening to your chosen tunes enough. If I know the lyrics things fall in place much quicker. That being said there will be plenty of room for improvement but as long as your plan is moving you up the curve your plan is working. I seem to move up a step over a good week and then the curve flattens some. its not a straight line to where you want to be.
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July very good choice.
The harmonica learning journey is not a straight line indeed … Dealing with frustration is not a small part of it!
Merci! Sa la vie. The harp brings out the best in you as well as the mistakes that let you know what you need to work on. I listen to the tunes I am working on and every time something shows up I need to clean up. Playing a tune exactly as it is written is not easy. Its the rhythm and how long a note should be held that take time. I just started the long version of the theme song for Dances With Wolves by John Barry and this a tough one. I am getting part of it down but this onw will take much more practice and time. The rhythm varies and bends are not easy to play so they sound good. I may have taken too large a bit but as long as it is helping and a small portion of the song is played correct now I’ll never give up. if i can get this one down nothing will intimidate me like this one. Each tune you pick up I/M/O should be harder as this keeps the curve moving in the right direction. I do my beast but play the harp strictly for fun. I always regretted not playing any music as out door sports were what I enjoyed. I am retired and will never be as good as i want but I’ll die enjoying it to the last day.
I hear people say its not the number of breaths you take in life but how many times life takes your breath away. I was in total agreement until I picked up the harp.
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I would never even attempt that. For me it’s blues, and soul Cajun Zydeco, swamp pop, Old R&b and even a bit of gospel now. But movie sound tracks and classical I just don’t have the patience for that. Although I can drop in the theme from the Flintstones or Popeye and silly bits like that in the middle of songs