When is the best time to branch out to learn Country?
Hi David,
I'm currently working through the fourth LoA level. As my main motivation for learning the harmonica has been playing country-style tunes, when do you think is the best time to start practicing that alongside the Blues?
(It is my opinion that both are needed because one is overall better suited for the happy mood while the other is well bluesy)
Do you recommend taking special courses or do you think having passed some LoA levels should be enough for learning the Country music on my own?
Man that was quite an explanation. Thanks a million for that. :-)
By the way, I'm totally enjoying practicing 'Take It Easy Now'. Such a great song with nice licks. :-)
I am already practicing it with some wah wahs in some licks. I mean some licks in that song just need wah wah. They sound more awesome and punching.
It's a pity I can't send you my practice records because I'm from an embargoed country.
My pleasure Meghdad. Reminder that with a subscription, you can submit material to me any time... there is no additional charge. The only extra charge is for participating in the LOA program, of which requites me to spend more time than a normal submission, as well as the cost of the LOA pins and mailing.
Hello Meghdad. I agree, it's important to study both styles. There is a great deal of bluesy playing in country music... a solid foundation in the blues will go a long way.
I would say that this time in your studies is just fine to also work on country music. To specifically answer your question... yes... you will be able to learn the music on your own with the skills you develop here. With this said, I think you already have enough skill to start trying to learn on your own. The experimenting you do to try and learn will help you in your learning... the struggle is the learning process (slower than being spoon-fed, but you'll own it more).
If you haven't already done so, start digging into the Major Pentatonic Scale (in both 2nd, and 1st Positions), that is your foundation for country music. You can find this in the Movement Exercises lessons (specifically the Essential Scales). Be able to play it in any rhythm. Practice playing to a favorite country song as a backing track, using it as a metronome, practicing the scale in whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, straight or swing eighths (depending on the rhythmic feel of the song), and over time, because it's hard, in triplets and/or sixteenth notes. Work on the skill to start from any note on the harmonica (because licks start from varying notes on the harmonica). This foundation will vastly improve your ability to hear and play/copy country melodies and licks from recordings, and your ability to hear licks in your head and play it on your harmonica while improvising.
P.S., I'm not aware of any resources for learning country music online. Charlie McCoy's books I think will be a smart bet. I think Phil Duncan has some books with Mel Bay.