Hello,
Last month, several of you recommended instruments for adults with no music training. Now its time for a little progress report:
I got two wistlles and a chromatic harmonica. I put them in the living room where I could pick them up and play for a few minutes whenever I feel like it. I’m quite surprised at how well its going. I’d probably progress faster with just one instrument, but there really is no hurry and I’m having fun with both. I like the fact that harmonica has a lot of music written in tablature.
I have decided that both of these instruments are used like running shoes and other instruments are like unicycles. Here’s what I meen by that: Buying a unicycle makes no sense unless the student is willing and able to practice until he can keep his balance. The unicycle is of no use at all until you have attained that degree of skill. Running shoes are difforent- anyone can use them at any level of skill. It’s OK to take a pleasant walk in the park on Sunday or you can run every day and become a serious athlete. It’s your choice. That’s the reason why running shoes appeal to a wider range of users than the unicycle does.
I really don’t care to do more the equivalant of taking a Sunday walk in the park. That’s OK. Whistle and harmonica still give satisfation to someone with a casual interest. They are also usable to those who wish to practice a lot and get good. They really are suitable for everyone. More challenging instruments are suitable for a more select group of users.
Anyway, I am enjoying my new toys and that’s the whole point of playing them.
I have the same combo! I have a D whistle and a D harmonica.
When I learn a tune on the whistle I try to figure it out on the harmonica.
They’re fun little instruments.
Sounds like you’re making progress. The most important part is you’re having fun, which is, after all, the goal. Stick with it, it doesn’t do anything but get better.
Wow! I find the recommendation of a harmonica for a “musically challenged guy” to be very dubious. In one sense a harmonica is okay for a musical beginner, because getting a basic tone out with the correct pitch is trivial (unlike, say, the violin). But in many other ways the harmonica is a very difficult instrument. Beyond the basic blow/suck, the playing techniques are hard to master and teachers are very difficult to find. I speak from experience – it took me about a year of self-teaching to realize these problems. But I’m really untalented musically, and perhaps you’ll be more successful!
By the way, I’d dissuade you from learning tablature. I think you’d be much better off either learning by ear, or learning to play from sheet music. Either will be much more useful in the long run.
I started with an Acorn because that’s what my local music store carries. Then, I just HAD to have an “original” Clarke. Right now, I like harmonica better, but that could change after I take your advice about getting a low wisttle. Oh my, I already have that disease where people collect whisttles…
Welcome to our little world!! I’m glad you picked up a couple of whistles…try going out to the Clips and Snips portion of this website…you will hear lots of examples of whistles..keys…and types of songs. It is really awesome how people around here share their talents and knowledge!! I am currently waiting for my first Low D whistle. It is sooo cool about whistles…you can keep on buying them..and they ALL sound different…with different personalities. I (and especially my hubby) are looking forward to the low d coming soon…(his poor ears).
Congrats on your accomplishments!! Whistledom is a fun place to be!!!
Great going on both instruments. I teach chromatic harmonica and highly recommend learning to read music - and would suggest MEL BAYS COMPLETE CHROMATIC HARMONICA METHOD, by Phil Duncan. Teaches the chromatic harmonica a few notes at a time and the chromatic scale a few notes at a time. Opens up a whole world of music on ANY instrument. Go for it - just a PAGE A DAY.
Then go to Google and punch in slidemeister and you’ll come to a great chromatic harmonica list.
