Monday, September 07, 2015
Harmonica Country
I have a website that contains around 1500 songs tabulated for the diatonic harmonica. Visit Harmonica Country,
Why learn to play the harmonica
Music is a marvelous gift to us humans. It allows us to express our deepest emotions. It also can help influence our emotions. Most musical instruments require many months of practice to be good enough for us to experience any of the benefits from music, Actually it is more like years.
Not so with the harmonica. Usually one begins to enjoy the pleasure of hearing themselves make music within hours of practicing on their harmonica. And of all the musical instruments it is the harmonica that that is the most intimate and can influence us the most.
You see the harmonica is like an extension of our vocal chords. It is the closest thing to actually singing a song. It is especially good for those of us who cannot sing. It sounds so much better than our attempts to sing. And because we are the one who is producing the music we are the ones who benefit the most from the music.
I talked with a professional harmonica player and he told me that the harmonica saved his marriage. Whenever he was upset with his wife because of some harsh words she had screamed at him, he would go outside with his harmonica and play a little tune. The mere act of making music calmed him down and put things in perspective. Simply the music was so much more superior to their previous conversation.
I used to ride my motorcycle up into the mountains to find a place where I could pull over to the side of the road and play my harmonica. It was such a soothing experience. It gave my life new meaning.
I remember now playing "Fairest Lord Jesus" and viewing a flock of sheep in the valley below. So powerful was the experience that I eventually moved to the mountains where I could play my harmonica outside my home on the deck. Now I play hymns like "How Great Thou Art" out under the stars.
I am not a very good musician. Not even a good harmonica player. I mostly play for my dog. But thanks to the harmonica I can enjoy the benefits of music.
Others may not benefit very much. But the mere fact that I am making music benefits me tremendously.
Not so with the harmonica. Usually one begins to enjoy the pleasure of hearing themselves make music within hours of practicing on their harmonica. And of all the musical instruments it is the harmonica that that is the most intimate and can influence us the most.
You see the harmonica is like an extension of our vocal chords. It is the closest thing to actually singing a song. It is especially good for those of us who cannot sing. It sounds so much better than our attempts to sing. And because we are the one who is producing the music we are the ones who benefit the most from the music.
I talked with a professional harmonica player and he told me that the harmonica saved his marriage. Whenever he was upset with his wife because of some harsh words she had screamed at him, he would go outside with his harmonica and play a little tune. The mere act of making music calmed him down and put things in perspective. Simply the music was so much more superior to their previous conversation.
I used to ride my motorcycle up into the mountains to find a place where I could pull over to the side of the road and play my harmonica. It was such a soothing experience. It gave my life new meaning.
I remember now playing "Fairest Lord Jesus" and viewing a flock of sheep in the valley below. So powerful was the experience that I eventually moved to the mountains where I could play my harmonica outside my home on the deck. Now I play hymns like "How Great Thou Art" out under the stars.
I am not a very good musician. Not even a good harmonica player. I mostly play for my dog. But thanks to the harmonica I can enjoy the benefits of music.
Others may not benefit very much. But the mere fact that I am making music benefits me tremendously.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)