At the Rolling Stones concert, while Mick Jagger was playing the harmonica, I turned to Steven and said “I think I could play the harmonica!”
He quickly responded with, “I think anyone can play the harmonica.” Ha, ha ha ha. Okay true.
So I told him, “I think I could play the harmonica well.” I understand rhythm and can read music (I played violin for nine years) so I have this (very likely misguided) belief that I can learn musical instruments if I make an effort and practice. I’d really love to learn piano, but those are expensive and take up a lot of space. A harmonica is neither of those! AND IT’S SO PORTABLE!
Hence, he got us harmonicas for my birthday (so we can learn together)!
Here’s a thing you may know about harmonicas but we didn’t – that both exhaling and inhaling on the holes produces different notes. We had no clue (edited, that it played different notes). So that shows you the super basic level we are starting at! So far we’ve been practicing playing single notes (versus chords, which is what you naturally play if you don’t pucker your lips and block the other note holes) and are learning “Happy Birthday” so we can play it for Rachel and Kim this weekend.
After this weekend, who knows what we’ll do next!!! (I’d like to read more about the harmonica, and find an online video series to learn, or an actual instructor.)
I thought the cats would hate the harmonica, but they are okay with it. Starbuck was even purring and being all cuddly last night in bed while we practiced!
They really hate the kazoo though.
Ha, I wrote on Instagram that this was Apollo’s reaction when I play the harmonica but LIES – it’s his kazoo reaction.
I believe in you! Actually, my son is very musically inclined – he had piano lessons for a few years when he was young and then played trumpet in school, and taught himself how to play the drums (well) – so yes, Miss Violin who reads music, you are going to ace that harmonica!
Also, wide-eyed ears back Apollo is too funny – he looks appalled. Of course I would bring out the kazoos every once in a while just to bug the cats but I’m that person, LOL.
OH! Forgot that our sailing club had a kazoo section in our motley band that would play whenever a new boat was launched and I played kazoo when I wasn’t leading the band down to the dock in my old dance class costume, while twirling a baton. That was so crazy and so fun!
Thanks for believing in me!!! <3 That is so cool your son has a knack for music. Does he still play anything? I can't remember seeing any instrument pics from his house posts (but that doesn't mean they weren't there, ha).
Oh, I think I will be playing the kazoo (and slide whistle) to bug him from time to time. Hee hee, poor guy.
That IS super fun! A friend of mine was telling me about a kazoo band! I think it's a but underrated! Maybe the Renegades should have a kazoo band? The kids would love it 🙂
Love Apollo’s Kazoo reaction 🙂 That’s very cool that you’re learning the harmonica.
Hee hee hee. He was like “WHERE IS THAT HORRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM?!”
Thanks 🙂
Snister, you can get an upright piano fo’ free, guaranteed – on FB marketplace. I really want to get one and take lessons (maybe on YouTube lol). We should do it together! (From afar.) I’m not sure where I’d put mine. You could put yours on the wall to the right, right as you step into the living room from the entry.
Ahh, I never would have thought of that! I will keep it in mind for when I want to learn! Where would you put yours?
Honestly, if you know how to read music, you most likely could learn any instrument with time and practice (you could still learn if you didn’t know how to read music, I would think, but that’d be one more hurdle to clear). But the harmonica seems like a good one to start with! I can’t imagine that you would regularly want to come into the city (and stay late in the city), but the Old Town School of Folk Music has a whole curriculum of harmonica classes: https://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/adults/harmonica/
I wonder if reading music is something that is easier to learn when you are younger! (like a language? I mean, music IS a language…)
Their classes look cool. I am interested in the Chicago Blues Harp one!
Hehe, love Apollo’s crazy face. Lila makes the best crazy faces just when I make weird noises. Also, Apollo looks SO BEEG in that photo. They grow up so fast!
I think it’s so cool that you’re learning to play the harmonica! The only musical instrument I ever tried to learn to play was the recorder when I was in second grade. I’m sure my parents were VERY glad when I gave that up quickly. 😉
Their crazy faces are the BEST!!!! I know, he is almost full grown, it seems. Sigh. My little baby. We laugh when we see his kitten photos now!
Thanks! LOL, the recorder – it seems like it was invented to torment adults!!!!
I find it so funny you didn’t know you had to blow and suck.
And I’m just gonna leave it at that.
There must be an app for learning the harmonica, right? I am sure you will figure it out and get the hang of it very quickly!
Love Apollo’s appalled face – LOL!
Oh gosh, maybe!!! I know there are TONS of videos on Youtube!
He was horrified by the kazoo!
I definitely want a harmonica concert the next time I visit!
(I have the same belief about musical instruments!)
You will get one!!!!!
Yes! I thought about you learning the ukulele when I asked for my harmonica!