Reddit reviews Blowing the Blues: History of Blues Harmonica
We found 1 Reddit comments about Blowing the Blues: History of Blues Harmonica. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
1 Reddit comment about Blowing the Blues: History of Blues Harmonica:
u/lostmykeysonbroadway ยท 2 pointsr/Music
- Always have a harmonica in your pocket. Always. You never know when you'll have 5 minutes to blow a tune.
- Go on walks through your neighborhood and play every night. It's the perfect practice environment (especially when you're just learning)... by the time anyone cares to look outside and see who's making the noise you'll already be down the street!
- Play any simple song you can and play it repetitively. I started with Amazing Grace, The Man on the Flying Trapeze, Dixie Land, and a bunch of church hymns I remember from when I was young. They aren't suppose to impress anyone... they're supposed to teach your mouth what happens when you blow through your harmonica. They will also teach your ear how to hear the harmonica and you'll get used to where the holes are and what the pitches are relative to one another.
- Don't only play slow songs.
- Don't only play fast songs.
- Change keys. Sometimes when you're practicing in a C, stop and play the exact same thing on an A. It will teach you the differences in how the keys play and it will help you further get used to the sounds and placement of the intervals.
- Don't be afraid of repetition. It's okay, for example, to practice a single train chug on a 6 block walk. Also, play scales often as warm-ups.
- Record yourself. I have recordings dating back to my first week on the harp. It's good to be able to listen to yourself and hear what you sound like. Also, you'll occasionally record a gem that's worth sharing with friends and Redditors.
- Search YouTube and try to emulate people you hear. Some favorites of mine are Sonny Terry, Buddy Greene and G Love.
- Even if you can't come close to copying them, you can listen to harp music all the time to get it stuck in your soul. I got a hold of a copy of A History of Blues Harmonica and never stopped listening to it. I also got heavily into listening to Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Big Walter, Howlin Wolf and the whole Chicago Blues scene.
- I almost forgot that when I first picked up a harp I went to the library and checked out Rock n' Blues Harmonica by John Gindick. It's as good an introduction to the harmonica as your going to get in a book.
- Blow, baby, blow! It is a quick learning curve but it won't feel like it sometimes. Just play and keep on playing!