[Harp-L] Re: harmonica for dummies

[Bob Loomis <miltloomis@xxxxxxxxx>]

Drew Ross wrote:

"I just finished my copy of this book, and I enjoyed it. As a self-taught
player who avoided reading anything about the instrument until just before
joining harp-l, it was very helpful (snip) Reading the book led me to ask this question to fellow members of the list: Did you learn to play harmonica:
A. primarily in a logical format, by lessons, books or theory
or
B. by playing and listening, more intuitively or by ear?"
---

I reply: A little of both. I started playing by ear and with the help of the little flyer that was in the box with the first Marine Band my mother bought me when I was 11 or so. In 1987 or so, after many years of playing other instruments, I got back into harp and invested in the John Sebastian and Paul Butterfield instructional books/tapes from Homespun. From 1987 to 1990 or so, I invested in all sorts of instructional materials (and harps), most of which I merely sampled, finding things I thought I could use. A few years back, I bought Jon Gindick's Americana harp book/tape and am using that one to get my grandson started on harp. More recently I bought Winslow's book and I am now studying the chapter on playing in positions, something I've never fully grasped. So I'm still learning in my somewhat haphazard way. I love Winslow's book, by the way. I think the theory I've picked up playing guitar and flute have been helpful along the way. But these can
 be learned by anyone playing harp or any other instrument.

Bob Loomis
Concord CA USA