Walk With Me Jam Track
David,
First, the good news: After four weeks with your course I can actually sorta, kinda play harmonica. This is the only time in my life that I've been able to accomplish this with any musical instrument, so thank you. To me this is quite an accomplishment.
I've gotten to the point that I can play Walk With Me mostly OK, though with highly imperfect timing. Still, I can hit the blows and the draws pretty well. I've recently tried playing with the jam track and really just can't seem to get beyond the third chorus. To help, I started playing along with the regular recording of Walk With Me, trying to keep up with your harmonica playing. I find that it's still hard going, but easier than the jam track alone.
Is this to be expected given that I have never in my life played a musical instrument? Is playing along with your recording a good form of practice to build up to the jam track or is it more detrimental in the long run?
Hello Ace. That's fantastic, I'm glad you're enjoying your studies and progressing along well. In my lessons, I state that each chorus of a study song represents about two weeks worth of work. "Walk With Me" is six choruses (plus the return of the head... the same opening chorus to bring the song to a close). This means three months of diligent study to be able to play the song well. With that said, you'e ahead of the curve. Now that you have the basics of the songs, focus in on the specific spots that are not up to par yet. Loop those sections with a program like the Amazing Slow Downer and listen and play (one listen per three plays) over and over so that over days and weeks, those tough passages (technique and rhythm) become easier to play.
Rhythm IS the most challenging part of playing music. For someone not playing an instrument before, rhythm will be a little bit more of a learning curve. Don't allow this to be a discouragement, but just a part of the learning process. Listening and playing (many reps) is the key... try not to get frustrated, but to get lost in enjoying playing reps (it can be very meditative... listening and playing).
Yes, start with the original track, eventually going to the jam track. Where you find you get off in timing, go back to the original and listen to what may be going wrong. It's a process over time... adjustments within your practice sessions over time. At that point you could move on to a new study song, allowing this one to simmer over time. You're get it you just don't know when... enjoy the journey!