Been playing a month and at 65 I find it difficult to remember all the notes but i find it keeps my brain cell active, never going to be a good player but I enjoy the challenge. Looked at lots of teachers on UA-cam and your the only one I'm sticking too.
You WILL be a good player. Just stick with it. 3 months from now you will be able to pull off things you couldn't do today. 6 months from now you will pull off things you couldn't do 3 months earlier. I GAURANTEE IT. You'll surprise yourself. That's the journey.
I started playing blues harmonica 3 months ago. I'm 77 next week, but enjoying the journey and notable progress. I just wish to be a good harmonica player by the time I'm 80. Thanks for the advice and honesty.
I'll be 79 soon and Tomlin is right keep it fun. I bought a cheap microphone and speaker from 5 below then put on backing tracks. Sometimes hearing from the wife to turn it down at other times it's "That was cool". Anyway have fun 😎 What style(s) are you into?
Yes, I'm definitely enjoying playing the harmonica, should have gone down this track a long time ago. To name a style I would say Louisiana Blues followed by Blues Rock.@@anthonyfontana4597
I had an academic education in violin, piano and music theory 50 years ago, have a collection of 25 high end guitars and keyboards, still struggling learning blues on my 5 harmonicas. Yep, it's not an easy instrument. Thank you for the constant inspiration to keep going.
It's not the goal or the finish line that makes you happy, it's the journey. I restarted at 75 and i'm so happy with my journey. Sometimes I can't practice and I miss it, so I imagine i'm practicing and the feeling comes back.
I just started playing the Harmonica a few months back and I fully agree with you. Practice makes perfect and it takes time. But I am so glad now it actually start to sound like the tune I am trying to play and the single notes also start to sound like single notes. This was a big hurdle for me.
Very true, Tomlin. It takes as long as it takes, and sometimes that’s a long time. But, if you enjoy it, you don’t mind the effort. And when you don’t enjoy the effort, step away for a bit. You’ll come back, and you’ll enjoy the journey even more.
I really appreciate your honesty. Not like the many other „learn this in 3 minutes“ youtubers. ❤ i think learning any musical instrument is like playing a videogame: work hard to enter the next level and then you can beat harder enemies. The 3 draw bend is like my endboss but I doesn’t care. Im gonna level up further till im good enough to beat him.
"Practicing" is what I do. 15 yrs ago I was in a horrific motorcycle crash. "retirement" at 31 created a need to do something to pass the time. I, essentially play as a coping mechanism. I t's really coming together, bc like my injury (TBI), the harp is lifelong! Personally know and even took a few lessons from a world-class player!!
Took me years to learn how to bend notes. Then one day it just came. I've been playing since gods dog was a pup!. Have learnt a lot from you Tommo, thank you.
Some people forget it's a musical instrument like any other. So both technique and musical knowledge need to be learned. Doing that as a hobby will be a lifelong journey 😊
As someone who grew up playing brass instruments, it's taken me YEARS just to learn to play a note higher, a fancy trick, a new technique. Think of it like exercise, your not gonna go from assisted pull ups to one armed full pull ups with added weight in a week. Have patience and learn to enjoy the process is really some of the best advice you can receive. And besides, the pay off when you finally get it, is euphoric.
Thanks, Tomlin. The book The Practice of Practice has really changed my thoughts on practice. Now I look forward to practice. I am excited to see how much I have improved from the day before. It could be a giant leap forward or a minute improvement. It really doesn't matter. Anything worth doing is going to take a while. I'm in no big hurry. Now I hate to miss practice.
Hi from Rhodes island Greece, you are perfect, im learning from you. Im trying to play every day and week to week, month to month i play better. Thank you very much..!!
Thanks Tomlin. I have started enjoying the process. It all started on month 3 of Intermediate. Taking one lick and turning it into 6. I have taken more time to practice because practice has become part of the long journey. So I know I have already said it but, Thank you!
Ok Tomlin. Thanks for this. I paid for a lifetime membership with you a couple of years ago and I’m sorry to say I gave up because “I was too busy” to practice. I wasn’t. I was just lazy. I want to learn the harp and you’re the best instructor. You have my commitment that starting today I’ll get back on track. I’ll have to restart the beginner course but so what! 😂. Thanks for this video.
Hello Tomlin, my first song was “Reichsbahnblues” by Stefan Diestelmann in 1979. Since then I've been playing and I'm never finished! Thanks for your video.
Well spoken! I find it rather incredible that people think there's a "magic wand" or something! However, a good instrument (it seems like the more you pay the better they get, within limits) an understanding of what "key" means, some good examples of exactly WHAT WHAT IT IS that you want to sound LIKE (there's tons of it out there) and, as you said, PATIENCE. Thanks, harp community!
i started playing chromatic harmonica at age 51, that's 4 years ago, and it's not easy ... it's even hard, really hard ... it took me 18 months to get my embuchure and breathing under control. but i promised myself that giving up was no option anymore, as this was the third time in my life that i started learning an instrument. now i'm so glad i didn't quit after the first immense mountains of frustration. and it's still a slow process but i accept that now, because all my fellow students climb a fairly similar, slow and tedious learning curve. slow and steady is the best way, trust me.
I completely agree, learning an instrument is a slow process but you’ll never learn until you start and you’ve got nothing to lose by starting to learn. Learn the blues scale, practice your bends and play along with the masters. I picked up the harmonica during Covid and Tomlin’s videos were a great start along with Jason Ricci, Adam Gussow and lots of other talented players. I could bend the notes almost immediately but I still can’t overblow, we’ll maybe a bit (I’ll get there at some point) but I can play pretty well now and once the tunes are in your head, you won’t forget how to play them, it feels like humming a tune but with the harmonica, if that makes sense. I probably play more guitar now but when I pick up the harp, I can still play the tunes I learnt which you can’t say about most instruments. All I can say is do it, it’s been a great adventure so far.
I’ve played harmonica for a couple of years but very sporadically on and off. It’s not an easy instrument, a piano or a guitar have music inside of them. Harp I guess requires you to have music inside you to an extent. I can bend notes, I can play a decent amount of songs and I can comfortably pick up new ones as I choose. I still can’t overblow, I still find it hard choosing the right harp for backing music and I still have a hard time improvising. I think learning any instrument is a labour of love. If your hearts not in it, or you are just chasing the end result you will always struggle to achieve what you want. Be happy to play, enjoy the process and ultimately… have fun! C harmonica is the most versatile but when you start branching out to other keys you’ll find unique things that you might love or hate! The keys all play differently aswell as different brands, I love my special 20 in Bb and can say I play best on it. My D special 20 is my least favourite and I find bending notes accurately a bit of a struggle sometimes. Learn the instrument don’t expect it over night 👍
First of all, thank you for all the work you put into teaching us. I've been playing guitar for 40 years or so. Country, classic rock, blues... Picked up the harmonica, and it is going well. However, I put aside 1 solid hour a day to learn. Everything from trying to play with recordings, nailing notes, bends, and so on. No easy way, but if you have a bit of guitar background, it helps. Except for lowering the tone of a note. It's fun and fantastic. By the way, its a great work out for the face and neck muscles 😂. I've incorporated it, a bit, with guitar and it adds so much. By the way, sometimes I forget to raise the harp, from the "cage" and suck on the microphone 🤣
The joy is in the practicing. For me there are a lot of techniques to cover but with that said I like to make playlist by keys and just enjoy going along with it maybe a playlist of 3 songs and try 1 st 12 th 3rd 2 nd positions. But I’m just beginning an just enjoy messing around. Currently am a George strait junkie so love trying to play through those
Hi Tomlin great video. I some lessons with you back in 2015 when I first started out and was always stressed about my progress. Until I learned that it will take as long as it will take as David Barrett said you will get there one day, until then enjoy the journey. Been learning to become a full time Tongue Blocker with David Barrett now for a year and a half so basically starting over from the beginning . But enjoying the journey. Tony
Thank you. So we'll put. I have a tendency to be very destructive and hateful to myself when I can't do things (like harmonica bends) . It will rake time. Thanks for putting it so nicely.
Yeah sur every time we ear a pro played it look easy. But we don't see the time they passed to master these sounds. I've been following your tips and tricks since a few years now and you help me with a lot. As long as I have been watching you, you never said that it will be easy but it's kind find to be honest about this question Thank you for this video, keep up the good works. Have an excellent day
Thanks Allmighty it needs time! It gives you the journey to enjoy it! To learn, to get better with the time and practice you gave it... If you don't enjoy it... pls don't torture yourself! BTW a few week sounds more than enough to learn for example... Happy birthday
I agree, I like practicing as well and each technique takes time. Tomlin, just a question about learning strategies .... Why are you working on overblows using tongue blocking. Seems to be more a limited technique for overblows than when puckering. I mean I don't think you have easily access to multiple overblows and/or bending techniques on overblows like with using a pucker embouchure ? So why ? Just to remain in tongue blocking ? Tone ? I'm just curious, I remains on puckering for that.
Gee Tomlin, you are so mean!! How dare you speak truthfully to your students in such a kind and caring way. If you're not more careful, you just might start encouraging and inspiring these folks to hang in there and to trust and enjoy the process. Your complete directness and honesty could also actually help them to improve... a lot... What in the world were you thinking?...lol
It doesn't matter how rich or how poor you are, no one can do it for you. You have to put the time in. It can be a hard slog at times, but all that practice pays off in the end, if you keep at it. There's a reason very few people play musical instruments. Congratulations to those who persevere.
How long does it take to stop caring about how long it takes? Just about the time it takes to grab a harp and start playing. No need to double that one!
"Pablo Casals was a Spanish-born cellist and conductor, known for his virtuosic technique, skilled interpretation, and consummate musicianship" At the age of 80, he was asked why he continued to practice four and five hours a day. Casals answered: “Because I think I am making progress.” Regardless of being a revered player for many years! Enjoy your journeys everyone.
Pete Seeger said that learning to play the guitar is as easy as learning to walk. But it takes 2-3 years to walk well and that’s with practice every day.
work spent on optimising a way to learn quicker, is work taken away from learning. It's all about just getting the reps in and trusting the process. Trying to shortcut it, delays you.
I don’t like the double it phrasing, just…. Remember to have fun, when I started I plateaued into a bad place that I was in just trying to learn to play clean notes in just a silent night tabs. It was the only thing I played and could never get it just right it drove me mad and I soft quit. I gave up and after a bad episode of mental health that lasted a few months, when my head literally cleared I started pocketing my harmonica and wanted to play silent night but i forgot how each hole sounded so I could not follow the tab so I went into enjoyable just focused on clean notes up and down the scale and instrument and keep rhythm within a few month I was back on my feet, and had suddenly unlocked the harmonica in ways the previous two years had not it was a fun playing and was better able to follow tabs, In the end reframing my approach to just play what sounds pleasant and nice have fun made me a better player, I am still a newbie and need to learn how to bend and learn to work with chords but I am getting there lol
If you can come up with a definitive, how long it will take, you have managed to figure out how to herd cats. It's a journey, a wonderful journey of discovery. Btw, 6 over blow tongue blocked is impossible. 😱😂
Het beestje zegt een beetje wie jij bent iedereen is doet het op zijn ma nier dus niet klagen dat het niet lukt blijven door gaan blijf om je heen kijken en luisteren ontspannen is ook belangrijk harmonica is heel luek om te spelen maar ook ontspannen
🎵 Just starting out on harmonica? Join my FREE Blues Harmonica Foundation Course here 👉 foxly.link/p5ugYk
Been playing a month and at 65 I find it difficult to remember all the notes but i find it keeps my brain cell active, never going to be a good player but I enjoy the challenge. Looked at lots of teachers on UA-cam and your the only one I'm sticking too.
You WILL be a good player. Just stick with it. 3 months from now you will be able to pull off things you couldn't do today. 6 months from now you will pull off things you couldn't do 3 months earlier. I GAURANTEE IT. You'll surprise yourself. That's the journey.
Totally agree!!
I started playing blues harmonica 3 months ago. I'm 77 next week, but enjoying the journey and notable progress. I just wish to be a good harmonica player by the time I'm 80. Thanks for the advice and honesty.
I'll be 79 soon and Tomlin is right keep it fun. I bought a cheap microphone and speaker from 5 below then put on backing tracks. Sometimes hearing from the wife to turn it down at other times it's "That was cool". Anyway have fun 😎
What style(s) are you into?
Yes, I'm definitely enjoying playing the harmonica, should have gone down this track a long time ago. To name a style I would say Louisiana Blues followed by Blues Rock.@@anthonyfontana4597
I had an academic education in violin, piano and music theory 50 years ago, have a collection of 25 high end guitars and keyboards, still struggling learning blues on my 5 harmonicas. Yep, it's not an easy instrument. Thank you for the constant inspiration to keep going.
The journey is part of the process. Accept it and enjoy it.
It's not the goal or the finish line that makes you happy, it's the journey. I restarted at 75 and i'm so happy with my journey. Sometimes I can't practice and I miss it, so I imagine i'm practicing and the feeling comes back.
I just started playing the Harmonica a few months back and I fully agree with you. Practice makes perfect and it takes time. But I am so glad now it actually start to sound like the tune I am trying to play and the single notes also start to sound like single notes. This was a big hurdle for me.
Very true, Tomlin. It takes as long as it takes, and sometimes that’s a long time. But, if you enjoy it, you don’t mind the effort. And when you don’t enjoy the effort, step away for a bit. You’ll come back, and you’ll enjoy the journey even more.
I really appreciate your honesty. Not like the many other „learn this in 3 minutes“ youtubers. ❤ i think learning any musical instrument is like playing a videogame: work hard to enter the next level and then you can beat harder enemies. The 3 draw bend is like my endboss but I doesn’t care. Im gonna level up further till im good enough to beat him.
Well said !! It is important to respect the learning process and note your accomplishments along the way.
"Practicing" is what I do. 15 yrs ago I was in a horrific motorcycle crash. "retirement" at 31 created a need to do something to pass the time. I, essentially play as a coping mechanism. I t's really coming together, bc like my injury (TBI), the harp is lifelong! Personally know and even took a few lessons from a world-class player!!
also Tomlin played a big part in my journey
Took me years to learn how to bend notes. Then one day it just came. I've been playing since gods dog was a pup!.
Have learnt a lot from you Tommo, thank you.
Some people forget it's a musical instrument like any other. So both technique and musical knowledge need to be learned. Doing that as a hobby will be a lifelong journey 😊
A great reminder to have patience (no matter how long it will take) keep practicing and playing. Yes, indeed!!!
Well said! I think all we do should focus more on enjoying the life long journey.
I like your advice. It takes awhile and when you can enjoy listening to yourself play, well your halfway there. Keep it up 😀
Hi Tomlin, good advice. Cheers!
As someone who grew up playing brass instruments, it's taken me YEARS just to learn to play a note higher, a fancy trick, a new technique. Think of it like exercise, your not gonna go from assisted pull ups to one armed full pull ups with added weight in a week. Have patience and learn to enjoy the process is really some of the best advice you can receive. And besides, the pay off when you finally get it, is euphoric.
Thanks, Tomlin. The book The Practice of Practice has really changed my thoughts on practice. Now I look forward to practice. I am excited to see how much I have improved from the day before. It could be a giant leap forward or a minute improvement. It really doesn't matter. Anything worth doing is going to take a while. I'm in no big hurry. Now I hate to miss practice.
Hi from Rhodes island Greece, you are perfect, im learning from you. Im trying to play every day and week to week, month to month i play better. Thank you very much..!!
Thanks Tomlin. I have started enjoying the process. It all started on month 3 of Intermediate. Taking one lick and turning it into 6. I have taken more time to practice because practice has become part of the long journey. So I know I have already said it but, Thank you!
Just enjoy the journey. I find practicing and playing extremely relaxing. It's my therapy. Not harmonica, but bass. Whatever it is just enjoy it.
Ok Tomlin. Thanks for this. I paid for a lifetime membership with you a couple of years ago and I’m sorry to say I gave up because “I was too busy” to practice. I wasn’t. I was just lazy. I want to learn the harp and you’re the best instructor. You have my commitment that starting today I’ll get back on track. I’ll have to restart the beginner course but so what! 😂. Thanks for this video.
Yes!!! Come back and we’ll
Get you back on track!
Hello Tomlin, my first song was “Reichsbahnblues” by Stefan Diestelmann in 1979. Since then I've been playing and I'm never finished! Thanks for your video.
Well spoken! I find it rather incredible that people think there's a "magic wand" or something! However, a good instrument (it seems like the more you pay the better they get, within limits) an understanding of what "key" means, some good examples of exactly WHAT WHAT IT IS that you want to sound LIKE (there's tons of it out there) and, as you said, PATIENCE. Thanks, harp community!
Good speech! It is the same with any instrument.
i started playing chromatic harmonica at age 51, that's 4 years ago, and it's not easy ... it's even hard, really hard ... it took me 18 months to get my embuchure and breathing under control. but i promised myself that giving up was no option anymore, as this was the third time in my life that i started learning an instrument. now i'm so glad i didn't quit after the first immense mountains of frustration. and it's still a slow process but i accept that now, because all my fellow students climb a fairly similar, slow and tedious learning curve. slow and steady is the best way, trust me.
Thank you for this! I needed to hear this😊🤗
I completely agree, learning an instrument is a slow process but you’ll never learn until you start and you’ve got nothing to lose by starting to learn. Learn the blues scale, practice your bends and play along with the masters. I picked up the harmonica during Covid and Tomlin’s videos were a great start along with Jason Ricci, Adam Gussow and lots of other talented players. I could bend the notes almost immediately but I still can’t overblow, we’ll maybe a bit (I’ll get there at some point) but I can play pretty well now and once the tunes are in your head, you won’t forget how to play them, it feels like humming a tune but with the harmonica, if that makes sense. I probably play more guitar now but when I pick up the harp, I can still play the tunes I learnt which you can’t say about most instruments. All I can say is do it, it’s been a great adventure so far.
I’ve played harmonica for a couple of years but very sporadically on and off. It’s not an easy instrument, a piano or a guitar have music inside of them. Harp I guess requires you to have music inside you to an extent. I can bend notes, I can play a decent amount of songs and I can comfortably pick up new ones as I choose. I still can’t overblow, I still find it hard choosing the right harp for backing music and I still have a hard time improvising. I think learning any instrument is a labour of love. If your hearts not in it, or you are just chasing the end result you will always struggle to achieve what you want. Be happy to play, enjoy the process and ultimately… have fun! C harmonica is the most versatile but when you start branching out to other keys you’ll find unique things that you might love or hate! The keys all play differently aswell as different brands, I love my special 20 in Bb and can say I play best on it. My D special 20 is my least favourite and I find bending notes accurately a bit of a struggle sometimes. Learn the instrument don’t expect it over night 👍
First of all, thank you for all the work you put into teaching us.
I've been playing guitar for 40 years or so. Country, classic rock, blues... Picked up the harmonica, and it is going well. However, I put aside 1 solid hour a day to learn. Everything from trying to play with recordings, nailing notes, bends, and so on. No easy way, but if you have a bit of guitar background, it helps. Except for lowering the tone of a note. It's fun and fantastic. By the way, its a great work out for the face and neck muscles 😂. I've incorporated it, a bit, with guitar and it adds so much. By the way, sometimes I forget to raise the harp, from the "cage" and suck on the microphone 🤣
The joy is in the practicing. For me there are a lot of techniques to cover but with that said I like to make playlist by keys and just enjoy going along with it maybe a playlist of 3 songs and try 1 st 12 th 3rd 2 nd positions. But I’m just beginning an just enjoy messing around. Currently am a George strait junkie so love trying to play through those
too true it only ends when you stop you just learn all the time.................................
Hi Tomlin great video. I some lessons with you back in 2015 when I first started out and was always stressed about my progress. Until I learned that it will take as long as it will take as David Barrett said you will get there one day, until then enjoy the journey. Been learning to become a full time Tongue Blocker with David Barrett now for a year and a half so basically starting over from the beginning . But enjoying the journey. Tony
Thank you. So we'll put. I have a tendency to be very destructive and hateful to myself when I can't do things (like harmonica bends) . It will rake time. Thanks for putting it so nicely.
I’m the same - let’s be more encouraging to ourselves :-)
Yeah sur every time we ear a pro played it look easy.
But we don't see the time they passed to master these sounds.
I've been following your tips and tricks since a few years now and you help me with a lot.
As long as I have been watching you, you never said that it will be easy but it's kind find to be honest about this question
Thank you for this video, keep up the good works.
Have an excellent day
Thanks Allmighty it needs time! It gives you the journey to enjoy it! To learn, to get better with the time and practice you gave it...
If you don't enjoy it... pls don't torture yourself!
BTW a few week sounds more than enough to learn for example... Happy birthday
You're a great coach!
Tomlin random request, but could you do a tutorial of O flower of Scotland on the harmo? Cheers from down under, mate.
Great vid.
It applies to all aspects of life that are difficult but worth it! 👍🏻👍🏻
I agree, I like practicing as well and each technique takes time. Tomlin, just a question about learning strategies .... Why are you working on overblows using tongue blocking. Seems to be more a limited technique for overblows than when puckering. I mean I don't think you have easily access to multiple overblows and/or bending techniques on overblows like with using a pucker embouchure ? So why ? Just to remain in tongue blocking ? Tone ? I'm just curious, I remains on puckering for that.
It’s just for convenience when I’m tongue blocking - I don’t want to have to switch embouchures for a passing note :-)
Great stuff. Keep on keepin’ on…
Gee Tomlin, you are so mean!! How dare you speak truthfully to your students in such a kind and caring way. If you're not more careful, you just might start encouraging and inspiring these folks to hang in there and to trust and enjoy the process. Your complete directness and honesty could also actually help them to improve... a lot... What in the world were you thinking?...lol
The note reminds me of Hofstader's Rule:
"It will take twice as long as you think, even when you account for Hofstader's Rule."
It doesn't matter how rich or how poor you are, no one can do it for you. You have to put the time in. It can be a hard slog at times, but all that practice pays off in the end, if you keep at it. There's a reason very few people play musical instruments.
Congratulations to those who persevere.
There are no dumb questions...well maybe...Just kidding. Something about inhaling and exhaling those tones that are magical. It keeps me playing.
Thank you!
How long does it take to stop caring about how long it takes? Just about the time it takes to grab a harp and start playing. No need to double that one!
Have you considered to modify the Reed? Not all songs you need the high overblows...
Definitely - I use Parrott tuned harmonicas sometimes as well.
Journey before destination. ❤
I know this to be true. Of just about anything important in life.
Do you have a great desire to be able to play the harmonica? Don't think any further. Start learning it - now. Do it!
"Pablo Casals was a Spanish-born cellist and conductor, known for his virtuosic technique, skilled interpretation, and consummate musicianship"
At the age of 80, he was asked why he continued to practice four and five hours a day. Casals answered: “Because I think I am making progress.”
Regardless of being a revered player for many years! Enjoy your journeys everyone.
Pete Seeger said that learning to play the guitar is as easy as learning to walk. But it takes 2-3 years to walk well and that’s with practice every day.
Thank you
work spent on optimising a way to learn quicker, is work taken away from learning.
It's all about just getting the reps in and trusting the process. Trying to shortcut it, delays you.
Nice video,truth...
Hi I play harmonica by ears
Phew - thought I was getting fired!
:36 in. I feel your pain…….
I don’t like the double it phrasing, just…. Remember to have fun, when I started I plateaued into a bad place that I was in just trying to learn to play clean notes in just a silent night tabs. It was the only thing I played and could never get it just right it drove me mad and I soft quit. I gave up and after a bad episode of mental health that lasted a few months, when my head literally cleared I started pocketing my harmonica and wanted to play silent night but i forgot how each hole sounded so I could not follow the tab so I went into enjoyable just focused on clean notes up and down the scale and instrument and keep rhythm within a few month I was back on my feet, and had suddenly unlocked the harmonica in ways the previous two years had not it was a fun playing and was better able to follow tabs, In the end reframing my approach to just play what sounds pleasant and nice have fun made me a better player, I am still a newbie and need to learn how to bend and learn to work with chords but I am getting there lol
"The reward for a job well done is to have done it." ( Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Oefeningen baart kunst doe ik ook
If you can come up with a definitive, how long it will take, you have managed to figure out how to herd cats. It's a journey, a wonderful journey of discovery.
Btw, 6 over blow tongue blocked is impossible. 😱😂
Het beestje zegt een beetje wie jij bent iedereen is doet het op zijn ma nier dus niet klagen dat het niet lukt blijven door gaan blijf om je heen kijken en luisteren ontspannen is ook belangrijk harmonica is heel luek om te spelen maar ook ontspannen
Some people do ask stupid questions.
You are bald, embrace it and shave it all. Join us
Dude he was trying to find a gentle way to say it, you just shoved it in his face 😂