Harmonica Lesson - The importance of establishing small goals

[@TomlinHarmonica]

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[@milostro1]

Hi Tomlin, another excellent lesson , In my limited practice everyday I repeat a scale , a tune , a rhythm exercise and a note focussed technique or effect eg trill or flutter , I find breaking it up like this keeps them all in your memory and retains interest , for a long time I just noodled aimlessly but have really noticed a huge improvement over the last 5 months doing this everyday. anyways keep up the goodwork , all the best to all the other harp heads out there ! kind regards from Cornwall

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Kev Milo Hey Kev, excellent to hear that you are applying a strong strategy to your practice. This will definitely pay off :-)

[@cintancatherder3098]

Thank you for your calm approach. “Just set three goals at a time” is exactly what I need to hear right now. I’ve been playing for one year. I’m tempted to buy a Bb Eb A and F harmonica or a chromatic one because I’m a flute player first and really want a Bb and Eb. But I’m going to make myself put that off and take Diatonic C technique more seriously instead of taking shortcuts. Goals: 1. All bends on 3 with a metronome so I can speed them up to 110. 2. All bends on 3 at 120. 3. Blow bend hole 10 to find Bb. That really means finding B natural too but the real goal is the second bend on 10 to get Bb. So blow bend 10 at all is where I have to be to add the additive get to get to where I really want to be.

[@blacksheep706]

Just starting learning a few weeks ago and this is excactly what I needed to hear. Thanks for all your lessons and work . Rod

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+BlacksheeP my pleasure Rod, glad to have you with us :-)

[@CotaroCACIMA]

Hallo from Japan.Thank you for your lessons.My small goal for this spring is GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY.I hope someone listen to my harmonica in the street or the park.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Kohtaro Kashima that is an awesome goal :-)

[@990donk]

Another great lesson, Ive just bought my 6 year old daughter a hohner big river because she hears me playing around the house and she wanted to learn. But she wants to be a Harp master in 5 minutes. 100% Im going to show her this lesson. Ive been teaching her the very basics of breathing with the harmonica on holes 1-3, she has definatly got rhythm but no patience. Keep the lessons coming

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Christopher Quinn hi Christopher, awesome to hear that you are fostering the next generation :-). Patience takes time - she'll get here :-)

[@tyconic]

I'm 17 in high school, and I'm trying really hard to grow my skills in Harmonica, and I keep building up on more and more stuff on it, and I've never really nailed any song or rift or anything. agree with the things said in the video. Thank you.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Ryandocs / Tyconic cool - so are you going to pick something to work on until it's nailed?

[@tyconic]

***** Gonna try

[@keithscott8384]

Thanks Tomlin, Straight to the point lesson, but the best advice, as always.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Keith Scott My pleasure Keith :-)

[@JoseGonzalez-tg3dz]

Thank you so much this is the best lesson ever. I will continue to build a strong foundation by achieving small goals. I've known a lot of people who dreamed of becoming a great musician, athlete, etc, but give up too soon because they can't obtain the big goal quickly. You are so correct in emphasizing small goals. This lesson may be one where everyone needs to watch now and then to keep it all in perspective.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Jose Gonzalez Hi Jose, I'm glad thus resonated with you. Just remember everyone you look up to started at exactly the same place :-). It is just a journey :-)

[@PaulSwiech]

Great ideas. Played in High School. Now I'm 65 and I realize that everything I knew was wrong. Baby steps. Simple breathing correctly during a 3-hole chord shuffle.

[@01Bonnie03]

I've just started a few weeks ago and I don't know on what focussing first. I just can play some easy melodies.

[@REX-007]

Thanks for your lessons Tomlin!!! In addition to working on the solos you put out, the goals that come to mind & that I'm gonna set for myself now are: 1. Slowing things down, hitting notes on the beat & holding my bent notes longer. 2. Working on a few triplets, that I'll find from your lessons, with very slow tempo initially. 3. Playing the same stuff on all my better quality harps to work their reeds (don't know if that matters). Cheers!!!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Rex, glad you like the lessons :-) 1) Slowing things down is an excellent idea. 2) Triplets ditto! 3) I would always play on your best harps :-)

[@TheGentleman__]

I'm going to practice blues bends, and call and response. great videos very helpful! and informative. thank you

[@milostro1]

sorry I also meant to say I definetley agree with your advice on really nailing it , which is what I try and do on each of these , so back to practicing hitting all draw bends on that 3rd hole clean and exact .... :)

[@saravananpaddy798]

Thankyou Tom...Good advice to all beginners...

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you Saravan :-)

[@blindbegger44]

always good lessons here ..thanks

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Michael Marston thanks Michael!

[@garyadamsgma1495]

My latest goal - to be able to (in a totally dark room) be able to hit every single hole cleanly and randomly chosen. If that makes sense.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

That makes perfect sense and it is a great goal!

[@gini1me]

Is there a list of small goals for beginner that i can use as reference. I just picked up the harmonica about 4 days ago and there are so many video suggesting what beginner basic is and it's confusing.

[@paulotoole744]

back to basics ,breathing ,playing from my throat,and single notes

[@Trollgaard1st]

My goal for april is to nail the 2nd position blues scale on atleast A, C and F harmonicas. With emphasis om the 3 1/2 bend. Going through your warm up routine on all my harmonicas daily now. One quick question though: Should I include the rest of the scale up to 9 blow? I feel I am not spending enough time up there usually.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Trollgaard Troll Great question. Nail the blues scale up to 6 and then when you have done that add the rest of the scale up to 9.

[@countryboymotovlogs926]

Tomlin, i'm a complete newbie to the Harp. I have a C lee Oscar but it. Also says 2nd G on it, what does that mean? Thanks and thanks for your time!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+CountryBoy Motovlogs hiya, C is the key of the harmonica. g is the key that you play if you are playing in 2nd position. Here is a lesson about positions that might help - www.tomlinharmonicalessons.com/what-are-positions-on-harmonica/

[@SillyHerpFamily]

My primary goal right now, is learning how to control my breath and hitting each single note clean.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Andy Rea excellent goal - how are you getting on with it Andy?

[@SillyHerpFamily]

So far so good. I am able to get through the notes ok. Still needs some work. I need to work on memorizing the draw notes though. I am using my commute to and from work as a good time to practice the "boring" stuff. Personally, I have found it a fun challenge to hit those notes and attempt to learn the note from sound recognition.

[@reithchase7784]

Im going to get that dreadful 3 draw 1/2 step bend perfectly every time as you said, its killing me. I end up playing a 3 draw because it sounds better then a whole step bend which usually comes out instead.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

That is an excellent goal Reith. Here is a video that will help you - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIDOe3ShYrOVrLM

[@garyadamsgma1495]

Your instruction is always benefitial even if you dont show us anything on the instrument....

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Gary Adams GMA I'm so glad Gary :-)

[@wisemonkeys4511]

*learn 12 bar blues and be able to improvise from it *listen to musicians playing the harmonica and be able to identify the actual notes they use

[@guillermoch]

Hi! I just found your channel is great! Just one thing (oh here comes the nitpicky :P), I felt the background music or too loud or too distracting... just an impression maybe, nevermind. Greetings from argentina!

[@vinniellah9769]

Learn c scale perfectly!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Excellent goal Vinnie, let me know how you get on with it :-)

[@jerryjonsson8008]

Three draw, half and full step bend. Man I find those difficult...

[@josezaia6189]

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