| One of the most common errors that a harmonica | | | | most harp players simply play way too much. With a |
| player can make when playing with others is playing | | | | fast piece of music which totally relies on the |
| too much during a song and as a professional | | | | harmonica taking the lead all the way through |
| harmonica teacher I always try to keep my students | | | | (Whammer Jammer - J. Geils Band for example) it is |
| thinking objectively about ways that they can | | | | more difficult to spot if you are overplaying and you |
| improve. The following exercise will allow you to | | | | can generally get away with more anyway. |
| gauge the amount that you play and as long as you | | | | So if you think that you are guilty of overplaying |
| remain objective should give you something new to | | | | here are some basic methods that you can employ |
| work on. | | | | to remedy the situation. |
| This exercise will yield the best results if you have | | | | 1) Record yourself again, but this time stay silent |
| some way of recording yourself playing along with | | | | through the whole song and only play your solo. |
| your favourite songs. | | | | 2) If you feel that you really must play more than |
| Step 1) Choose a song that has vocals, but no | | | | the solo try limiting yourself in the following fashion. |
| harmonica. Ideally there should be a place for you to | | | | After you play a lick you will feel the urge to play |
| put a solo. | | | | another lick. Stop yourself from playing the lick. This |
| Step 2) Record yourself playing harmonica to the | | | | requires discipline. You'll then feel the urge to play |
| song. | | | | again. Once again refrain from playing. On the third |
| Step 3) Analyze your playing. From the moment you | | | | urge play whatever lick your heart desires and then |
| start listening, solely focus on the amount of time | | | | repeat the process. So in short, from the moment |
| during the song that you remain completely silent. If | | | | you start playing your first lick you will only act on |
| you have a stop watch you can use this to time the | | | | every third urge. This is also useful for helping you |
| silent periods exactly. | | | | phrase during your solos so try playing your solo |
| Step 4) Objectively critique. If you discover that you | | | | using this 'three urge' principle. |
| are playing for more than 50% of the song you may | | | | The main thing that you need to understand here is |
| be overplaying. There are of course exceptions which | | | | this:- |
| is why you need to be honest with your self. | | | | Most songs will function perfectly well in your |
| Sometimes the line between playing to much or to | | | | absence. Just relax and add some sweetness to the |
| little can be very fine. Be critical. | | | | song only where it is necessary. |
| Now the reason I asked you to pick a song which | | | | Until next time have fun and take care. |
| has vocals is because these are the songs where | | | | |