It’s Not How Much You Practice Harmonica But How!

I recently ran across an article titled “The Myth of Practice Makes Perfect”.

The first line states “How do you get to Carnegie Hall”? We all have seen this YouTube video of Buddy Greene.

I’m sorry, this never gets old. Gives me goose bumps every time I see it!

So how do you practice if you want to get great at anything?

There are two steps:
1) Identify a weakness that you want to make into a strength.
2) Find simple ways to consistently improve that weakness until it becomes a strength.

Practice requires discernment. Long hours of practice are not enough. Noodling around doesn’t do it.

That’s what my Happy Harpin’ lessons are all about.
http://www.harmonica.com/lessons/

Ninety-nine jam packed video lessons. (ALMOST FIFTEEN HOURS) with a 50 page companion PDF Booklet. Too many bonuses to list here but you can CLICK HERE to check them out.

Remember, without deliberate practice, even the most talented individuals will reach a plateau and stay there.

Your Happy Harpin’ buddy
jp

(Article by Contributing Writers: JP Allen & Joe Feeney)

Responses to This Article

•   
  Rick Simmons

  Thanks so much JP. I have watched this several times before, and just like you I get goose bumps all up and down. This is really teriffic. Thanks again.
  Rick

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•   
  Jocekyn

  Is he doing all that ona diatonic? Wow! The guy is great! Back to training then.

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  JP Allen

  Yes, he’s a master. jp

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•   
  Jijo

  I have saved this video so that it inspire me next time I sit to practice. Thanks JP

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  JP Allen

  Yea Jijo….everytime I see it I’m blown away. jp

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  Stan T

  That was great – Man, that was great.

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  JP Allen

  Remarkable isn’t he? jp

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  francisca mesquita

  that was great

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  JP Allen

  Glad you enjoyed. jp

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•   
  Tomas

  I have played the “Grandad” way all my life (I’m 82) as Buddy demonstrated at the start. It was called “vamping” when I learnt. Too late to get out of the habit I think.

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  JP Allen

  That’s alright Tomas, go with it…in most things the Old way rules. jp

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  JP Allen

  That’s alright Tomas, go with it…in most things the Old way rules. jp

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  david murray

  I LOVE IT

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  Anthony

  Wow!!!!!!!!…..Buddy Greene shows what can be done with a harp……just great.

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  JP Allen

  Amazing isn’t it? jp

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  Pippa

  Wow … his playing is amazing … and so is yours JP … I am getting so much more fun out of my harmonic now that I have started playing along with you.
  It seems to me that it is all about breathing and I get in such a muddle when I try and go fast. But I so enjoy jamming along to my hubby’s guitar playing now and as we are both in our 60′s and have only just started playing together it is quite an achievement and is bringing us a lot of fun … so thanks JP, we love you and your work.
  And we so love the place where you live … what an amazing Creator we have!

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  JP Allen

  How great that you have each other to jam with Pippa!! What a great way to connect. jp

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•   
  Eugene

  Leave it up to the audience to listen silently when he plays music the way we always hear it but have to clap and destroy the beauty of listening to it and enjoying it when he plays it with an instrument that is usually not played with the skill and feeling he puts into it.
  An audience always has to spoil such music. Just like a disc jockey jabbering after he has started plaing a record or cutting off the ending of a popular song.

  [Reply]

•   
  Paulina Cifuentes Avella

  Oh! My God, He is great. I bought my first harmonica in 1997 on T.V.ad. Jon Gindick but he send a cassette along with the Bluesband Hohner”C” Harp but I never took the time to try.Now my husband died 3 year ago and I’m back to my country I found my harmonica in one of the boxes and I think that as you did for your friend when he dies I can try to play for me and my husband, I know he´s going to smile and I’m going to enjoy plus maybe surprise my family I’m trying waching you doing the Tucka – Tacka but when I have to draw my stomach goes inside and the contrary when I have to blow I don,t know if is to late to start I’m 66 yrs.old but I try your Happy B-day and I’m having fun. Thanks J.P for the Buddy G. video I love clasical music. Oh I forgot to tell you that now I move to south America I’m in Bogotá, Colombia. I use to live in Tampa Fl. for 27 yrs. O.K Thanks again J.P. and I let you know how I’m doing, because some times I turn on my P.C. and some times I’m lazy to do the classes, well now is better with the videos, I can see what you’re doing.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  I’m so happy to hear you’re taking up the harp again Paulina….way to go, it’s Never too late!
  Warmly, jp

  [Reply]

•   
  James

  Well, sometimes you should check the links before sending emails … Video is no longer availbale …

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  JP Allen

  Sorry James, this link was good and up for a long time. But unfortunately we have no control over Youtube videos and all the reasons why they are sometimes removed. jp

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•   
  Tom

  It is amazing how he plays 2 songs so masterfully on one C harmonica!

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  JP Allen

  It’s incredible to watch. jp

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•   
  david viney

  hello , cant watch copyright laws here emi,was just watching your mate hal walker great, back to practise aloha bye.

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  JP Allen

  Sorry for the copyright laws David. Glad you enjoyed Hal. jp

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  Jim

  I can’t watch it…apparently it has content from EMI and they have blocked it from the country I live in. The U.S.

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  JP Allen

  Sorry Jim, we don’t have control over you tube and copy right restrictions. jp

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•   
  Chris

  Hey Jim and JP: Just google it. You’ll find one that you can watch. The one that worked for me was here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=202929359727895
  That is the most amazong solo I have ever heard. I too got all goose bumpy. And he never (not that I could tell) missed a note. Unbelieveable.

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  JP Allen

  Right on Jim. jp

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•   
  James Collins

  Try this:

  Bill Gloria Gaither – Classical Harmonica Medley (featuring Buddy Greene)[Live] from emimusic on GodTube.

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  JP Allen

  Thanks James. This one comes in nice and clear and great sound, better than the youtube versions, but you have to sit out the add (only 15 seconds) jp

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•   
  Rod Searle

  Why on earth would EMI block that small video clip
  in Australia.
  Love your work.
  Regards,
  Rod.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Rod, if you scroll down the blog you will find a bunch of other links to the same video that may work for you. jp

  [Reply]

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