Short Stories

Harmonica Lessons.com visitors submit fiction or non-fiction short stories based on experiences that involve the harmonica or harmonica playing. If you would like to have a short story included in our collection, please note the procedures for submission in the bullet points on the Short Stories main page.

I have been tooting along on the harp for about 25 years now, but never very seriously - cutting my teeth on mostly folk (Dylan, Seekers, etc.) with a bit of gospel stuff thrown in (remember those old Sunday School tunes?). Like most people, I was given a crappy old 15-hole Taiwanese mouth organ for my 12th birthday and carried on from there. I don't read music, so it was all ad-lib and by ear.

I have a good handle on playing 1st position melody, but recently wanted to expand my skills in 2nd & 3rd position blues licks. Since I don't 'jam' with anyone, it was a bit hard starting off. I decided to drag out some old cassettes I had in the back of the rack - Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy II and Charlie Musselwhite - tapes I had brought along the way but not really listened to. All I can say is that was the best thing I have ever done! I have never looked back and my playing has taken off in a new dimension.

Of great benefit to me was Dave Gages' article on "How To Become A Better Player" on this site. He emphasized to keep on keeping on and in at least 5 years I will have mastered it. 5 years??!!! I guess we never stop learning, and this is particularly true with the harp. I know of no other instrument that is so versatile.

Maybe in 5 years time I will actually start to sound like Charlie or Sonny Boy, but regardless I will still be able to breathe, and therefore will still be practicing those licks!!!