Finally getting back to the LOA
Wow, some of you folks have really pushed along...
i just spent the afternoon recording Feelin' for the Blues, as I'd lost the one I recorded way back whenever it was. I'm actually glad to revisit the tune, as I found my first couple attempts sounded very poor. A good song to focus me on trying to make those bent pitches sound good. Maybe not the most exciting tune but really quite demanding in it's way...of course, it's been 4 or 5 years so I also had to re learn how it goes...happily my capacity to memorise songs has developed since the first time I learned it.
I'm determined to do the lessons rather than just sit the tests, so it'll take a while yet...still have to do the accompaniment exercises, before I can move on to level 4...I like the concept of LOA though, and although it's gonna cost a bit to move through these levels I may feel are rather basic...I don't mind really as there are things I just skipped the first time through, like the solo exercises and the accompaniment lessons...I mean, I've just been paying the fee and not making use of the site for months on end...
I'm yet to start with the LOA program...i've been paying and not studing!! but i love to jam with songs i like and also if i can get a guitarist to play with...so even though i have been playing the harp the discipline of the LOA program keeps putting me off!! but i think I should dive in and start...
I've recorded the strut and Gary's blues, but I think the other song is really good; i think id like to learn that too. I've been enjoying the accompaniment lesson. I've been working on scales and chord tones with a private tutor for a while so the theory is familiar . It's great to have an exercise to help set the knowledge.
LOA is a great way to get structure into your practice. I also found that it is a great way to spend time on your weaknesses.
it's a great program, a guided path to mastery.. Just sent in my LOA8 last night!
For those of you who have been going through the LOA's: Mind if I ask how long each of you have you been working on it, and how much practice per week you tend to get in? Just curious. Preparing my LOA 1 for submission now, so I'm just getting started on this road.
Started in May. Now into LOA 4. But wasn't a complete newbie to harp so my guess is to date I've moved at twice the pace I would have otherwise. Now finding LOA 4 is a big step in intensity and taking much longer as there's a lot of material. I work on it about an hour a day. Now finding there's less time to review older material but the concept of LOA is that it continually builds so I think I'm okay.
Thanks SmokeJS, it's interesting to hear how the journey is going for others.
I started the LOA program back in late Feb. I submitted LOA 1 early April. I was getting close to being ready to record and submit LOA 2 when I had to move for work reasons in June. My new schedule and routine kept me from practicing much. I ended up going almost 4 months without touching my harps. Got back to practicing a few weeks ago. I went back over all the LOA 2 material to relearn it. I'm very glad I did. I feel I am better now having learned it twice. I attended a local blues jam session last night. I didn't play but listening to those guys definitely got the juices flowing again.
Cool that you're getting back on track Craig. Don't feel too bad about the few months off, could be worse: I joined three and a half years ago and, for a variety of reasons, I never really got started until last month. And thanks for reminding me - I need to get down to my local blues Jam and check it out, even if it'll be a long time before I participate.
You never know it may not be as long as you think. I know one of the other threads on here talks about others' experiences at jam sessions. A lot of others on here have said that once you get that first jam session under your belt the comfort level increases dramatically. I know there's a difference between "being ready" and "feeling comfortable". I used to play guitar way back in high school. My dad owned a small town bar that had blues jam sessions every weekend. One time the guys wanted me to get up there and jam with them. While I didn't feel ready for that, I was comfortable enough to follow their lead. I felt so much better after that first jam session.
After going to the local one here, I'm finding myself paying much more attention to the Accompaniment lessons than I did previously. It has changed my perspective on getting ready for a jam session. Once I get a feel for what songs tend to get played more at the jam session, I am going to pick one and work on some accompaniment for that. I will also practice one solo just in case. And if I'm not comfortable with that solo, I will just tell them before the song starts so they don't call me out for a solo. I think that would be a good start and shouldn't take too long to get to that point.
I'd been playing a bit before getting serious with the website but decided to start at LOA 1 and not miss anything. Turns out I was a bit more ragged in some areas than I thought. I'm going through the first 3 LOA's at a pace of about 6 weeks each. Looking ahead I think LOA 4 will be a few weeks longer and LOA 5 is where things start to get really serious. Lots of challenging fun and really looking forward to it. Check out Ross Garren's LOA pace and his videos. He's a pro studio player who is also going through LOA. If he can go back anyone can.