Learning with dummie book...

http://harmonicanewbie.blogspot.com/2009/12/zero-music-knowledgeme-too.html

After reading the above books, I have some insight on the harmonica gurus...I kinda like the book-Mister Satan's apprentice.It brought me a journey of what I had in mind when I first wanted to learn the harmonica.I wanted to jam with other people of the world.And where is the best place to learn from? STREETS of course...from the buskers..

They played with no rules, just loads of personal experiments and watching others play mostly by ear. Kinda fascinating isnt it? My mind did flicker loads of doubtful questions still wondering is this a short stint or fad that will end soon? Or will it be pursued till she master it? hmm...tough one.

Anyway,the previous post on this guy that actually give some free lessons online is none other than the famous Adam Gussow and Mr Satan who played in the streets.That was the book that I find interesting.His youtube channel- http://www.youtube.com/user/KudzuRunner I find it fascinating cos he is one determined white man (Im not discriminating) who wants to master the blues and learn with many people irregardless of the skin colour. I like his thinking,always learning and hunger for knowledge and humble to learn with all walks of people.And he mingling with late Nat and Mr Satan create borderless boundaries that all friendships in the world should have.None..no boundaries at all... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js_xkkyUbiM and http://www.satanandadam.com/ and http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/ ...

About Little Walter,it was fascinating to get an insight on his life and the people and the previous generations of entertainment.I felt like I was watching a reel film or I was there watching him living his life.

Anyway, after that, I felt that I had some misgivings bout the blues. I liked it but wasnt sure that me, an asian was able to appreciate it and knowing my country,its not easy to hear blues and learn blues here.I got to find out more about it.Youtube came to my rescue.

As I was slowly liking it and perhaps gonna fall in love with it, I watch lots of Adam Gussow and Satan, Little and big Walter's and Muddy Waters and more from youtube.It was really fascinating.It speaks from the heart.It cry out hidden words and experiences from personal extrvaganza.It is personal.And I like it.

Little Walter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUwfrj9aMNA
Big Walter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-S6Aza2p8
Adam Gussow and Jason Ricci: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcKMNUPevU8
Led Zeppelin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwgyxbce59k

Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson II - got my MOJO working



Ok....
back to the dummy book, I read it thru once..and then Im gonna read it again concentrating on it and follow its practice in its given mp3. And Im gonna share it with u what Ive learnt.Of course not word for word, the dummies will come after me....(YIKES?!)

Counting time with quarter,half and whole note...

Summary...
quarter-1 beat (the one that look like a stick and a circle with black filling)
half-2 beats (the stick and circle with no fillings-empty)
whole-4 beats... (a circle with no black fillings)

Rests/lay out....
curvy lookin thing -quarter rest 1 beat
dash on the 3rd line (count from bottom line) -half rest
dash below the 4th line -whole rest

A dot after a note is to extend it by 50 percent

Oh-oh..it seems to be getting a lil complicated after this
this is when the eyes started to roll and the yawns come after one another...
about dividing quarter notes...flag,beams,8th rest,16th rests and time signatures (YIKES?Do I have to learn all these?! ) *yawn

More info:

http://datadragon.com/education/reading/
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/theory/note-reading.htm
http://www.largemart.com/read-music/length.html

(can count them silently under ur breath, or use drumsticks or whatever sticks for the beats while u blow and draw the harmonica..heck, u can even just tap ur feet!)

p.s: I hope by June 2010, I was able to understand the flow of the harmonica and able to play by ear simple tunes and jam automatically with others. I hope to understand the basics and master it if possible.

I was thinking of going backpacking again..Once u start,u can never stop.. I was thinking India...insya-Allah.Or perhaps,accept my friends' invitation and come to USA again cos then I can learn the real blues over there...Hmm,interesting...