I am trying to learn this song and its a beast. I decided i would take a top down approach on this one as it is long and going to taken time and lots of listening and practice. It fits the harp well, sounds good but is a long tune. Top down is learning a line at a time. Rhythm is going to be a real challenge.
For all of the seasoned players a ? Is this the best approach? I use tabs at the beginning but once I do not need them I listen to the song and see how well my timing is. It is the “ clan up” period that really takes me the most time to learn to play a tune right. I watch U Tube and the guy that plays it seems to be looking at tabs but I am not sure. Once the tune is in memory tabs do me no favors. It took me at least six months to learn El Pasa Condor. the long version, and the clean up phase is coming along but there will always be room for improvement.
A technique I came across a while back is to learn a tune from the end forwards, i.e. learn the last bit first, then the bit before that, and so on till you reach the beginning.
The approach may seem a bit weird, but the idea is that each time you go to play the tune you’re starting with the bit that is most unfamiliar and heading towards the bit(s) that you already have down and are just refining & consolidating.
I’ve employed the idea several time now & it’s worked well for me. Your Mileage May Vary, as they say.
yes I typed this about 2.30 A.M. and between my typing and being tired it s tough for me. Spellin has never nor will it ever be a strength. I am a numbers person. That was chalked up to fatigue.
I tried the top down approach today and its the way to go. It seems a portion falls into place and I try to build off of that. This tune does not have the note pattern so top down is my best option. This one will take a while but its a great tune for the harp I/M/O.
I had a quick try of this and agree that it’s a great tune for the harmonica. Another one to add to my long - long list. I played it lower down than the tabs I found on harp tabs, and I reckon its easier and sounds better, but I might have to tab it out myself if I want to play it that way. Anyway, I’ve put it on hold for now but thanks for the recommendation for the song.
I start with a 5 -5. I do more listening than practicing now. it really helps if I know the lyrics and rhythm. This tune runs me up and down the harp from -1 to 10. It will take much time but i think its worth it. Try El Pasa Condor and let me know what you think. There is more repetition and it forces me to slow down and breath right. Many of the notes are high draws and they no longer intermediate me. Play the longer version written by Robles in 1913. if you learn this one no passport is needed to get into Peru. Its a national favorite. My son lives there and i heard it and decided to tackle it. It took many hours but I do not use tabs and have the timing down. Still make my share of mistakes.
It’s the same for me, I have to know the song. Theres a couple of Bob Dylan tunes and a couple of Rod Stewart tunes, that I was able to play pretty easily without any tabs at all, just picked up a harp and played them. Those were songs I listened to a thousand times when I was a young man, either on the radio or a cassette in my car. (Do you remember cassettes?) If I can’t already play a song in my head, I have to listen to it over and again until I can. Mostly I do still learn by tabs and practice the whole song until I get it. That can be 3 days, or 3 months. Then I don’t need them again.
Regarding Unchained Melody, it does my head in to know there are so many ways to play the same tune on a harmonica. That’s my own fault for not learning theory but never mind, I’ll just play what sounds good to me.
I know you’re keen on El Condor Pasa, and I do know the song well, although it’s not one of my favorites. I’ve looked at the tabs and Holy Smokes it looks difficult. If you can play it well, you have my admiration. I will have to put a hold on it, as I have too many songs already. That’s another fault of mine; I’m too much quantity and not enough quality.
All that said, I think you and I are about the same age and have been playing for about the same amount of time, so it’s nice to compare notes. I don’t personally know anyone else who plays harmonica, so the forum is my only reference.
I remember 8 - tracks but I only had compact cassettes, which I played on my Sony Walkman or in my 2-liter Ford Escort. The quality was rubbish, but I found the faster I drove, the better they sounded.
It has taken me approximately a year to play some of the more difficult pieces. If I am learning off of you tube tutorials I slow the tough parts way down and keep repeating over and over . Been working on Juke for several years still haven’t put it all together , time and patience
I do remember them and 45 records when I had a paper route. Most of the best songs are the ones that came out in during these times but this just my opinion. I always oved music but played other outside things. I cannot believe these songs are over 50 years old but my kids liked them when they were young. A Got a Pink Floyd CD and the poster. Within a week my daughter had them. She knew I was not going to be mad and daughters seem to know this very young. First concert was Leon Russel in 74. Tight Rope and Back To The Island were being introduced. I still listen to ole Leon.
My first car was a 1957 T Bird. Cost me $2,700 and drove it ten years. Twelve years to the day I bought it it was sold as I just became a dad and the car completely restored. It had tubes in the radio and gas 29.9 cents/gln. I had all the fun it could offer at college. Had 5 girls and my cousin in it one evening. My wife drove it to work and black hair, green eyes and a white bird got her much attention. I never forgot it was the car the girls liked not me but like the harp it was just great fun.
