General Guidlines for First Time Players
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When playing, try to produce one clean note at a time. However, if when you play you produce a few notes, keep playing. In time you will get the hang of it, and you shouldn't worry (though try to work towards a clean note).
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When notation is given for a Chromatic Harmonica, it is meant for a 12 hole Chromatic Harmonica. If you are using a 14 hole Harmonica, ignore the first two holes for now. If you are using a 16 hole Harmonica, ignore the first 4 holes for now.
- On every note you play, soundlessly mouth the syllable "Oo". This will help you control your breathing.
A note for playing with the Scorch Player:
When playing a new exercise or song, it is recommended to activate the Scorch Player and listen to the playback once or twice, then play along with the computer. Remeber, you can slow down the tempo (speed) of the song to suit your speed. Finally, play the exercise or song by your self.
Don't rush... there is t i m e... until the next computer crash...
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First Sounds
How to practice:
Each lesson design for one week practicing.
Play every day for at least 15 to 30 minutes. If you have trouble breathing - remember this is natural. The Harmonica is a wind instrument, and requires quite a bit of lung capacity, especially at the begining before you get used to it.
If you get tired, take a short break, catch your breath, and carry on.
The beginning is always the hardest, so don't give up. Keep on trying, it will pay off in the end.
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An old chinese saying: "The world belongs to those who are stubborn."
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C Note
In the Diatonic Harmonica - 4 hole, blowing
In the Chromatic Harmonica - 5 hole, blowing.
An upwards pointing arrow represents blowing in to the Harmonica
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Push to Play -
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Exercise 1
Here is your first exercise ! to performed in it's entirety by blowing. |
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Push to Play -
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New Cell |
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How to learn playing:
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1. |
Each lesson design for approximately one week practicing.
We recommend playing and practicing every day for at least 15 to 30 minutes. |
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2. |
Read the instructions and make sure you understand them. If you are confused as to a point, use the forums. |
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3. |
Go step by step, and don't skip material. |
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4. |
Listen to each song or exercise several times, absorb the the melody and then try it yourself. |
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5. |
Lower the tempo, and play along with the computer. Slowly raise the tempo back to normal. |
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Play each song or melody at lest 4 time continuous at every practicing. Try learning every melody by hart if you can - it's always the best. |
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7. |
Try playing duet's and cannon's along with the computer if there isn't another Harmonica player handy. |
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8. |
When you have finished the harmonica lessons, record the final lesson, and send it to us for a personal review of your progress. |
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9. |
You may print the exercising order to practice away from the computer. |
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10. |
An old Chinese saying: "The world belongs to those who are stubborn." |
Push to Play -
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E Note
Diatonic Harmonica - 5 hole, blowing
Chromatic Harmonica - 6 hole, blowing. |
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Exercise 3
try playing the E note cleanly while keeping time. |
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Push to Play -
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Exercise 4
contains both the notes you have just learned. It is also played entirely by blowing.
Before begining to play the exercise, say the names of the notes from the begining of the exercise to its end, in time to the music. This will really help you learn notes.
The little apostrophe is the mark used to tell you when to take a breath. It is the small dash appearing above the notes. At these points, try to take a quick breath with out loosing your rythem.
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Push to Play -
