Maybe Making Music

It’s been a long time since I’ve really sat down with a musical instrument. I was actually in band in middle school and played the saxophone. While I enjoyed the experience, I moved on to other things. In adult hood, I’ve been trying to find something to scratch a different creative itch, music. Thus, I’ve begun to take the first steps into a new instrument, the harmonica.

Why the Harmonica?

I remember many years ago getting a harmonica while in Boy Scouts. Being a child with no comprehension of musical taste, the instrument was an obnoxious noise maker at best.

Over the years, I’ve heard people make this simple instrument play incredible melodies. I can’t count the times the bridge from Blues Traveler’s Run Around got my body moving. It’s versatility in sound in astounding for such a small, simple instrument.

On that note, its size is another factor. As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, I’ve liked the idea of whipping up a quick song around a campfire after a long day of hiking. Being able to tuck a harmonica in a pocket or a backpack makes me far more confident in bringing it along. Plus, the simple design makes them quite durable and able to face the challenges of the outdoors.

The final reason is just that very simplicity. The instrument is just a bar with holes and a couple of reeds inside. It doesn’t have valves, strings, or switches to worry about. The goal is to blow or suck air and move the bar to the right spot for the right note. In total, it’s 20 notes to remember and as far as I’ve learned so far, one small gimmick.

Talking About Practice

The week started off really well, I found a book at the library that has been extremely helpful. I’ve learned a few warm ups, the notes, and even some interesting history about the harmonica.

As the week went on, I made less and less time to practice. My original goal was to use time after work to get into practicing, but other things have crept into my shcedule throughout the week, my time became less and less focused here. The practice I have done has mostly been going through the warm ups. Even keeping practice short, my lips have been kind of sore.

For next week, I really want to build that daily habit of practicing and get through some of the simple songs shared in the book. I want to play at least three of them by next post.