Why Harmonica Is Easy For Some And Hard For Others

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[@MrSpanky2001]

I started playing harmonica 8 1/2 years ago. I have never considered myself to be "musically gifted", but most days, between practicing and playing, I get 1 1/2- 2 1/2 hours in each day....not what you would call obsessed, but enough to be able to thrill the heck out of myself when I jam to backing tracks. My main goal was to be able to get on stage with pros and not embarrass myself. I think I can do that now. But the main thing is , with a little work, we all can be better than average. Maybe not world class , but good enough to hang with most anybody out there.

[@tnysteph]

I am 66 now. I started learning at 52. I have had many ups and many downs trying to learn to play the harmonica. I have played in a band and I have played over 125 gigs and I improvise on everything. I know I do not know near as I should but I am not stopping. This little instrument has taken me places I never thought I would go to. Jonah this is a great video. Thank you very much.

[@DennisBenhoff]

This is a great life lesson for everyone and everything, not just the harmonica. This would be a fantastic presentation for schools and the workplace. What it says is, if you want something, then get off your butt and work for it, and don't give up .... ever. Thanks Jonah for a great video.

[@markwalters9754]

Awesome advice not just for the harmonica but for life. Thanks

[@bloodshotgaming7]

It's been 2-3 months since I can play boogie and grooves kind of bluegrass, but including bend blues is too much for me still not giving up, resently bought honher special 20 original. In india mouth organ is too rare so i get only yt and some scale practice but i will never give up.. u helped 40-60% by free videos and lesson thank you 🥰🥰🥰

[@deborahrobertelli8714]

Well said. You’re so genuine and real.

[@rocketgirllise]

I’m in the obsessed category 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

Let me share something my mentor and friend, world renowned pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin told me. I had said something like, “man, I wish I could play as good as you.” His reply was perfect; “Guys at the top tier of playing ability don’t have some magic bullet and they aren’t born with something you weren’t. Mastery comes with countless hours of practice and dedication. To suggest otherwise is to discount all the hard work they’ve done to get where they are.” Now I believe God blesses some of us with a musical ability, but you can never discount what hard work and dedication can do. Repetition is what it’s about. Muscle memory. I practiced pedal steel for 4-6 hours a day for the first year and I was so far in my journey. Don’t forget, we are all eternal students. Great video and great advice.

[@tshanahan22]

Just what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it. Thanks, Jonah.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

I'm glad to help!

[@MrRomrad3]

Thank you for this video! I have a job that takes me a lot of time and effort and I have very little spare time. I still love my hobbies and I shall do my best with the little time I have. I love your presentation. Thank you again.

[@aconcheng]

Thanks Jonah for this video😊. I'm 48 now and by no means any pro musician but music always plays an important part in my life. Just started learning harmonica recently and watched lots of your videos. Guess I'm one of those who easily get obsessed with things and always aim high until they get to a point where satisfaction can be found. After only a few days of fiddling around now I can play simple songs already. Being able to pick up melodies from what you heard and replicate them on your musical instruments is always fun to do, especially with a harmonica. I found bending not hard as well (not easy too though). Feeling happy and optimistic about playing this instrument. Regards, Acon

[@markieproductions22]

Great video. A great way to look at learning and overcoming the mental barriers to progress.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heiko6983]

Hi Jonah. I enjoyed Your thoughts on wholesome mindsets to learn the harmonica more easily very much. My harmonicas also take a huge, important place in my life. I have been playing for seven years now-almost every day for a couple of hours. I enjoyed every single moment and I am getting better every day-at least this is my perception. What I would like to add to Your thoughts is the importance of the Karma Yoga mindset. This means that while taking step by step to Your intended goal, never forget the beauty and the wholesome energy of Your present practice session. Make the present riff the most important on on Your way. Do not take Your practice as a means to an end. Check every moment whether You love what You are doing. I know that You are loving what You are doing Jonah. I can feel it :)

[@Chuckplaysblues]

Another great video, Jonah… whenever I finish practicing a song I think to myself, “That wasn’t great, but it was better than last time!” It makes me feel good about my improvement.

[@MrSpanky2001]

And you will always find that, if you keep at it, 3 months down the road you will say "Hey , I couldn't pull that off 3 months ago and so forth and so on. Stick with it!

[@firedaddycarp13]

Wonderfully Said thanks

[@wangdydu]

3 months from the beginning. I go Brendan Power paddy Richter, Irish tunes. It's a great start point for beginners, for the tunes mostly don't need bending, and from slow to smooth, smooth to speed, speed to fancy decorations, each progressing step isn't too far, so everyday practicing make little improvements. However, very few people appreciate Irish tunes, not to mention harmonica player interested in Irish tunes. And anyone know what should the mindset of improvising Irish music be?

[@tomkochan8134]

what a great way to look at life

[@bertrambecher9483]

Very good!!!! ❤

[@rocketgirllise]

Haha. I listened to blues, watched you tube videos and then practiced for 2 hours. Today. Everyday 😂😂😂. Thanks Jonah.

[@tshanahan22]

Hi Lise. Haha. Same here! 🙃

[@anthonyrobertelli2998]

Great video.

[@robmccurdy6655]

Thank you for this pep talk. Exactly what I needed to hear. And please don't grow another foot. You would look really funny with three feet.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Yeah, that would look pretty strange. I'm glad you found this helpful ✌

[@uripmargono946]

Yes. Absolutely right Jon. I have been playing it almost a year today but I still can't hit draw bending note hole 2 n 3. How hard to understand it to me.

[@yuriythebest]

3:00 - some people are obsessed? Hmm...

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Ooh if you get something done, let me know! That’s a cool idea.

[@yuriythebest]

Hi! The app is 99% done and will be released on google play soon, let me know if you want to be in the closed list of testers, cheers! (the app converts any harmonica tabs automatically to visual representations)

[@timwhite7127]

I'm a world class expert in sucking at music...

[@MrSpanky2001]

No you're not.

[@davidkulmaczewski4911]

It's surprising to me how many people get butthurt and then deny that some people have more natural talent than others. I've seen discussions on other music videos where people downright refuse to accept the entire concept of natural abilities. Mozart composing beautiful music at the age of four? Yeah.... it's due to his father pushing him and nothing else. Some child prodigy playing difficult pieces -- classical, jazz, or pop, and on any instrument -- is just a lot of practice. *Anyone* could do it, they just aren't 'privileged' in the proper way. This is nothing but cope IMO. That's not to say that practice isn't crucial, but it's not everything.

[@MrSpanky2001]

Every one has different gifts. Some in mathematics. Some in public speaking, some in art, etcetera, etcetera. That doesn't mean they can't improve without those natural gifts with a little dedicated commitment.

[@davidkulmaczewski4911]

@@MrSpanky2001 Yes. If you spend enough time practicing almost anything, you can become proficient regardless of natural skill levels. *And* some people just have natural talent, and can get *much* better by practicing. Both are true.

[@MrSpanky2001]

@@davidkulmaczewski4911 I concur. I don't have those natural abilities that a 9 year old protege has. Most accomplished musicians don't either. I accepted that along time ago (I'm 70 years old) but I stay with it and in time maybe no one will know the difference.......that's the goal.