I'll contribute my 2 cents. 1. Please remember to take time off! It's perfectly fine to put the harp down for a day or 3 or even a week and then come back to it as you'll be surprised how you might be able to play a tune or hit that blues lick you practiced when you've given your brain a chance to process everything and catch up, just make sure you do come back! 2. Have a simple tune that you can play always at hand to have a bit of fun with, be it Oh Susanna, You are my Sunshine or the Game of Thrones theme, It doesn't matter as long as you can sort of play it, just keep playing them and try to have a bit of fun at the start or end of your practice.
Both very true points, TheMightyHump! The brain definitely needs time to process, it's really important and something we often overlook when learning a skill. Ronnie Shellist always says to start and finish your practice by playing something easy and fun, always good to give yourself a confidence boost :)
Hi Liam. I am probably the type of person you are talking about. Over a 20 year period I have tried to lean acoustic guitar, ukulele and harmonica. I get to the same point with all of them. I can play the tune on and off, I probably get it right 1 in 10 times. My guitar tutor many years ago said slow it right down till you can play it then the speed will come but you are right being impatient took me backwards not forward but like many others I have still not taken note of that advice and I am now struggling with the harmonica as I was with the guitar and ukulele. I am 68 and still have the desire to master this instrument but fear I never will!!
Absolutely Matt, it's so tempting (especially in an age when all the information you need is out there on the internet somewhere) to skip ahead. It's a test of discipline. Cheers! Liam
Great vid. I think we're all impatient at everything in life. Like a friend told me a few years back. Harp to mouth. Just play all the time. Things will just come to you. Just sometimes not as fast as you want. It's a life long journey. Thanks.
Thanks for the reminder to be patient. Among my many ongoing issues learning a Harmonica, I find that I lose my seal around the harmonica and the blow holes after a few notes and I hear my breath as much as the note. Can’t keep the inside of upper lip over the top for long.
As a much younger person I always had to practice my piano scales before I was allowed to proceed to my songs. I now find going through the 10 single note breathing exercises at the start of every practice session imposes the same sort of discipline on me, and is very useful.
Nailed it Liam. I've been learning for 3 months and have bought about 8 harps, a Lone Wolf Harp Attack, Superlux mic, a few pedals etc. But have recently realised I need patience and a harp. I've put all my goodies away for now but do have some practice with the mic now and then. Step by step and trusting the process. Cheers buddy 👊
No worries Anthony, it happens to all of us! I find it helps to think of the old guys before RUclips, fancy gear and special software existed. They would just sit with a harp and maybe a record and play, play, play! Cheers. Liam
thankyou an yes i think i do fit in this category mostly because of my age 55 years young lol feeling like i might have started to late bless you stay safe.
Translation from a slovene guy :) (Traduzione da un ragazzo sloveno :) ) You are very good (i think teacher) and I always follow you. Thank you for your way of explaining. Sorry if I write to you in Italian.
Hey Liam, love your videos, I got some questions. How are your lessons arranged? Are each of the months deconstructed by weeks/days? Do you have weekly tasks, daily? All and all I want to know if it is arranged as a college course with homeworks and such.
Hi Gabriel, if you mean my beginner course then it's split into weekly classes. You can see a full breakdown of the course on the product pages (e.g. Month 1: sellfy.com/learntheharmonica/p/3jggz1/). I hope to see you on the course! Cheers. Liam
Great Viddo, I learn a lot from you, I poke with !at Wakate the other day and he mentioned he tutored ypu. By the way, do you have you RUclips plaque yet.
Haha, yes I had lessons with Mat for years. He's a good egg, I miss him now I've moved away. The plaque arrived, I put a photo on the community tab: ruclips.net/user/learntheharmonicacommunity. Cheers. Liam
I have a honers blues band set of seven from Sweetwater. Do you think that it’s actually a good harmonica or that I got scammed. Also is it possible to be good at harmonica if you have mastered the saxophone.
Hi yasser ortiz, yes Hohner Blues Band harps are OK for a total beginner but I recommend Special 20. And of course you can learn harmonica if you play saxophone - hopefully your musical knowledge will help :) Cheers. Liam
Your videos are very useful! thanks for these kind of free lessons and lets say very good help for the people wants to learn this amazing instrument. I have created my own playlist I separated the videos from you and it is very good to proceed step by step. Please continue to share videos!. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup
I'll contribute my 2 cents. 1. Please remember to take time off! It's perfectly fine to put the harp down for a day or 3 or even a week and then come back to it as you'll be surprised how you might be able to play a tune or hit that blues lick you practiced when you've given your brain a chance to process everything and catch up, just make sure you do come back! 2. Have a simple tune that you can play always at hand to have a bit of fun with, be it Oh Susanna, You are my Sunshine or the Game of Thrones theme, It doesn't matter as long as you can sort of play it, just keep playing them and try to have a bit of fun at the start or end of your practice.
Both very true points, TheMightyHump! The brain definitely needs time to process, it's really important and something we often overlook when learning a skill. Ronnie Shellist always says to start and finish your practice by playing something easy and fun, always good to give yourself a confidence boost :)
Hi Liam. I am probably the type of person you are talking about. Over a 20 year period I have tried to lean acoustic guitar, ukulele and harmonica. I get to the same point with all of them. I can play the tune on and off, I probably get it right 1 in 10 times. My guitar tutor many years ago said slow it right down till you can play it then the speed will come but you are right being impatient took me backwards not forward but like many others I have still not taken note of that advice and I am now struggling with the harmonica as I was with the guitar and ukulele. I am 68 and still have the desire to master this instrument but fear I never will!!
Thanks for the reality check..think I see myself here. Slow down, one step at a time. Easier said than done sometimes!
Absolutely Matt, it's so tempting (especially in an age when all the information you need is out there on the internet somewhere) to skip ahead. It's a test of discipline. Cheers! Liam
Great vid. I think we're all impatient at everything in life. Like a friend told me a few years back. Harp to mouth. Just play all the time. Things will just come to you. Just sometimes not as fast as you want. It's a life long journey. Thanks.
Well said Dirt! Cheers. Liam
Thanks for the reminder to be patient. Among my many ongoing issues learning a Harmonica, I find that I lose my seal around the harmonica and the blow holes after a few notes and I hear my breath as much as the note. Can’t keep the inside of upper lip over the top for long.
Great teacher... Thank you.
You're welcome Martin!
As a much younger person I always had to practice my piano scales before I was allowed to proceed to my songs. I now find going through the 10 single note breathing exercises at the start of every practice session imposes the same sort of discipline on me, and is very useful.
That's a great idea Peter!
Thanks for this refreshing reminder. 👍
No worries Thomas, thanks for watching. Cheers! Liam
Nailed it Liam. I've been learning for 3 months and have bought about 8 harps, a Lone Wolf Harp Attack, Superlux mic, a few pedals etc. But have recently realised I need patience and a harp. I've put all my goodies away for now but do have some practice with the mic now and then. Step by step and trusting the process. Cheers buddy 👊
No worries Anthony, it happens to all of us! I find it helps to think of the old guys before RUclips, fancy gear and special software existed. They would just sit with a harp and maybe a record and play, play, play! Cheers. Liam
Thank-you for the encouragement God bless you 😇🙏🌹
You're welcome Brenda :) Cheers. Liam
Great stuff
thankyou an yes i think i do fit in this category mostly because of my age 55 years young lol feeling like i might have started to late bless you stay safe.
Hi Brenda, I've just read a comment from an 82-year-old who is starting to learn harmonica. It's never too late! Cheers. Liam
Im guilty on all account's oooops thanks liam think ill wind my neck in and follow your advice
Lol, I aim to serve! :)
Sei molto bravo e ti seguo sempre. Grazie per il tuo modo di spiegare. Scusa se ti scrivo in italiano.
Translation from a slovene guy :) (Traduzione da un ragazzo sloveno :) ) You are very good (i think teacher) and I always follow you. Thank you for your way of explaining. Sorry if I write to you in Italian.
Thanks Mitja (and Gabriele). If I paid more attention, I could learn lots of languages from the comments! Cheers. Liam
Buying the right harmonica. Eventually got a set of Hohner special 20’s. What a difference. There’s a lot of rubbish instrument packs out there.
Very true! S20's are a good bet :)
Nice video as always 👍
Thanks Rushi!
👍😁👍
Hey Liam, love your videos, I got some questions. How are your lessons arranged? Are each of the months deconstructed by weeks/days? Do you have weekly tasks, daily? All and all I want to know if it is arranged as a college course with homeworks and such.
Hi Gabriel, if you mean my beginner course then it's split into weekly classes. You can see a full breakdown of the course on the product pages (e.g. Month 1: sellfy.com/learntheharmonica/p/3jggz1/). I hope to see you on the course! Cheers. Liam
Great Viddo, I learn a lot from you, I poke with !at Wakate the other day and he mentioned he tutored ypu. By the way, do you have you RUclips plaque yet.
Haha, yes I had lessons with Mat for years. He's a good egg, I miss him now I've moved away. The plaque arrived, I put a photo on the community tab: ruclips.net/user/learntheharmonicacommunity. Cheers. Liam
@@Learntheharmonica glad yu got the plaque, and and speaking with Matt he sounds like really decent man
I have a honers blues band set of seven from Sweetwater. Do you think that it’s actually a good harmonica or that I got scammed. Also is it possible to be good at harmonica if you have mastered the saxophone.
Also I’m a beginner
Hi yasser ortiz, yes Hohner Blues Band harps are OK for a total beginner but I recommend Special 20. And of course you can learn harmonica if you play saxophone - hopefully your musical knowledge will help :) Cheers. Liam
Impatient is playing cross eyed cat all night for 4 hours without getting it right once. A lot of it comes down to state of mind
First!
Walk before you run.
100% :)
Thanks for watching! Remember to ‘Subscribe’ and click the bell to get all my free lessons: bit.do/subscribe-learntheharp
Your videos are very useful! thanks for these kind of free lessons and lets say very good help for the people wants to learn this amazing instrument. I have created my own playlist I separated the videos from you and it is very good to proceed step by step. Please continue to share videos!. Thanks!