Step 14 beginning lick at speed https://app.box.com/s/3gyn36pyxa3wxj7kvk4x66m99aocm3fy Step 14 beginning lick slower version https://app.box.com/s/p1xk1kvuzlgpj3jis10lnz127cud22lc Hey everyone! I am super excited to share this post… Ever since I started the course I had dreamed of being able to play one of those amazing improvs that Mitch starts each lesson off with. So about two years ago I was going through the 30 step course for the second time. I had been doing the ear training religiously so when I got to step 14 and listened to the beginning improv … I didn’t care if I had to slow it down to 3x speed… I loved that lick and was determined to learn it, even though it felt beyond what I thought I was capable of at the time. So I decided that my goal was to learn every note that Mitch plays in the whole lesson 14, including the beginning improv, just because I wanted to set myself a big goal and work towards it step by step, so that’s what I did. That beginning improv became something of a cornerstone for me in my harmonica life… no matter what else I learned or practiced, I always practiced that improv daily, trying to get each note to sound like Mitch’s. One of the main problems was my inability to do vibrato! I had reached a plateau with the improv and wasn’t seeing much progress, and actually got discouraged and started playing it less than I had been. But a few months ago, I caught myself and picked myself back up and knew I needed to finish this goal… so I said that by my birthday this year, March 1st, I would post it whether I had it good enough or not. That stoked the fire! So here it is- this is the improv to the best of my knowledge… I found a missing note I didn’t have only three weeks ago so we will see how I did since correcting that. It was quite the undertaking for me and quite the mountain to climb but it has totally transformed my playing! And Mitch if you happen to see this I’d love to know how I did with it! Hope you’re all doing great and having fun playing.

Wow, Shawn! Congratulations. You got down and dirty with that riff! You show a lot of determination in your note. This is inspirational.

Shawn, This sounds great. What a long way you have already gone with the harmonica. All the best

I can not say how much I truly appreciate the feedback. It felt great to be able to share this victory with you all! I remember two years ago celebrating just getting the phrasing down and being so stoked to play it all at once... (Ryan, like you said... “out of my comfort zone for sure!!!”) and just a little over two weeks before the deadline was I able to really play it at speed for the first time. What a journey!! Ryan thanks so much for your words.... ya that vibrato on the 2 hole was such a victory... and Mitch thanks so much for the reflection...” kicking A...” After playing that piece for two years I think I lost the ability to judge how I was doing on it... that cleared it up! Thank you all so much... that totally made my birthday!!!

Topic: Harmonica Time bucket list!

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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Posts
Freddie
Participant

March 1, 2022 at 12:09

Post count: 606

#23820

Step 14 beginning lick at speed
https://app.box.com/s/3gyn36pyxa3wxj7kvk4x66m99aocm3fy

Step 14 beginning lick slower version
https://app.box.com/s/p1xk1kvuzlgpj3jis10lnz127cud22lc

Hey everyone!

I am super excited to share this post… Ever since I started the course I had dreamed of being able to play one of those amazing improvs that Mitch starts each lesson off with. So about two years ago I was going through the 30 step course for the second time. I had been doing the ear training religiously so when I got to step 14 and listened to the beginning improv … I didn’t care if I had to slow it down to 3x speed… I loved that lick and was determined to learn it, even though it felt beyond what I thought I was capable of at the time.

So I decided that my goal was to learn every note that Mitch plays in the whole lesson 14, including the beginning improv, just because I wanted to set myself a big goal and work towards it step by step, so that’s what I did. That beginning improv became something of a cornerstone for me in my harmonica life… no matter what else I learned or practiced, I always practiced that improv daily, trying to get each note to sound like Mitch’s.

One of the main problems was my inability to do vibrato! I had reached a plateau with the improv and wasn’t seeing much progress, and actually got discouraged and started playing it less than I had been. But a few months ago, I caught myself and picked myself back up and knew I needed to finish this goal… so I said that by my birthday this year, March 1st, I would post it whether I had it good enough or not. That stoked the fire!

So here it is- this is the improv to the best of my knowledge… I found a missing note I didn’t have only three weeks ago so we will see how I did since correcting that. It was quite the undertaking for me and quite the mountain to climb but it has totally transformed my playing!
And Mitch if you happen to see this I’d love to know how I did with it! Hope you’re all doing great and having fun playing.

CC
Participant

March 2, 2022 at 08:24

Post count: 50

#23822

Happy Birthday Shawn!

You have just given yourself a big birthday present and do come out now to take a bow!! It is amazing that you have achieved your big goal. You have a lot to be proud of. I will look up to you when I tried the Improvs.

Freddie
Participant

March 2, 2022 at 12:39

Post count: 606

#23827

What a compliment… thanks for the reflection and the birthday wish CC… that made my day… I really appreciate it!

Rooftop Cat
Participant

March 3, 2022 at 07:26

Post count: 131

#23831

Shawn – your slower version sounded AMAZING! Reaching beyond our comfort zone is where we can make drastic improvements.

And that 2 draw vibrato – oh yeah, you got it down!! Gotta shift focus when you notice that plateau and stay positive. Good on ya!

I too had the same dream – listening to Mitch hit these awesome phrases up and down the harmonica with ease. I just had to get one of those licks down pat. They are too cool! Well imo you for sure did this one justice!

Happy birthday, Shawn!

Mitch Grainger
Keymaster

March 3, 2022 at 17:45

Post count: 338

#23834

Kicking A… Shawn!!! This is great stuff. ⚡️

I can’t say enough how setting/making these type of goals really helps us learn.

Thanks so much for sharing, what is some impressive progress!

Keep it up!!

Freddie
Participant

March 9, 2022 at 03:14

Post count: 606

#23835

I can not say how much I truly appreciate the feedback. It felt great to be able to share this victory with you all! I remember two years ago celebrating just getting the phrasing down and being so stoked to play it all at once… (Ryan, like you said… “out of my comfort zone for sure!!!”) and just a little over two weeks before the deadline was I able to really play it at speed for the first time. What a journey!!
Ryan thanks so much for your words…. ya that vibrato on the 2 hole was such a victory… and Mitch thanks so much for the reflection…” kicking A…” After playing that piece for two years I think I lost the ability to judge how I was doing on it… that cleared it up! Thank you all so much… that totally made my birthday!!!

Udo
Participant

March 16, 2022 at 18:27

Post count: 192

#23839

Shawn,

This sounds great. What a long way you have already gone with the harmonica.

All the best

Freddie
Participant

March 21, 2022 at 03:26

Post count: 606

#23841

Thanks so much Udo!

Freddie
Participant

March 30, 2022 at 03:51

Post count: 606

#23852

Wow, Shawn! Congratulations. You got down and dirty with that riff! You show a lot of determination in your note. This is inspirational.

Freddie
Participant

April 3, 2022 at 01:48

Post count: 606

#23854

Thanks so much for that Shawn!
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