Where to start...
Good day David,
First let me be clear, I'm an Absolute Novice!
No, not just to the harmonica... I've never touched a musical instrument in my life!
I subscribed to BluesHarmonica.com about a month ago and I'm following the "Beginning Study Plan".
I've watched a good number of the videos (Blues Harmonica Fundamentals) and the first few in (Tongue Blocking Study 1).
Here is my question:
Where do I really start?
My sense is that I should treat the material presented in "Fundamentals" as background info and consider "Section 1 - Getting started with Tongue Blocking" my first "real" lesson.
That is, I should not be practicing "Two Note Combinations and Shakes 1", "Glissando", etc. now.
Those techniques will be covered at some point during the "lessons" and I would practice them at that point in time.
Am I correct?
Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Carlos
Thanks David
BTW,
So far, I'm very pleased with your site... I especially appreciate the reasonable expectations you set throughout.
Having some sense of how long certain tasks "should" take definitely helps fend off frustration for a new student.
Thanks again and best wishes for the New Year!
Carlos
Thank you Carlos... I'm glad you like the material. By the way, as you're learning "Walk with Me" also dig into the Solo Harmonica Study 1 material.
Hey David I've been on the harmonica for about 2 yrs and gone to a couple of jam session I know the basics can also bend pretty well a lot of people say I play good when I play in jam sessions to me sometimes I don't think so I mostly pucker I'm now getting into tongue blocking the thing that getsme is the chord progessions what licks to use when to use them understanding the chord changes,how to play with jam tracks do you suggest I start from the tongueblock study 1 for beginners
Glad to have you on board.
Chorus Form study is the most important to develop the skills you're looking for.
Study Bending Study 3 and Tongue Blocking Study 2 at the same time. As you get half way through the songs work with the "Applying what you've learned (Improvising)" at the end of each lesson. This teaches the Chorus Form process and works the licks you've learned into the context of what we know to be good phrasing.
Don't worry so much about what notes are in each chord, just follow the phrasing process taught (we use chord change as a place to say "yes, I'll repeat" or "No, I'll move away"). It is this process that will make you a great soloist.
A side note, more formal lessons on improvising are coming up in about three weeks... just in time!
thanks for responding I will get rite on it .awesome site glad you have it .thanks agian ttyl
Welcome to the site Carlos. Yes, start with "Tongue Blocking Study 1," it is first "formal" lesson for you. You can practice the techniques in Blues Harmonica Fundamentals, these are all individual elements you can work on... I meant it to be a quick-start into some great technique. Best wishes on your studies.