Playing while driving
OK, so I don't know how safe it is to play harmonica when you drive, but I like to live on the edge I guess. I never drive anywhere without a harmonica in my pocket. I used to spend most of the time "noodling"-just solo improv stuff. I don't think driving is really the time to dig in and learn songs.
Anyways, I started using the opportunity of the time wasted in the car to focus on technique and things that require less of an information overload. I remember driving 5 hours from Seattle to Spokane and back one weekend and doing nothing but practicing slaps (they were really tough for me when I first started). Also shakes, and octaves are easy to practice. You don't have to think too hard, just work on your tone quality and muscle memory.
I have printouts of the Movement Exercises in my car. Before I take off, I'll pick something on the list (ie moving up and down the octaves on the harmonica). There's something about going into that hypnotic state we all do while driving to routine places that seems to really internalize this stuff on a subconscious level.
30 minutes to work and back = 1 hour of technique practice every day!
I wouldn't do this if you're driving someplace you've never been and of course myself and the owners of this site are not liable for your risk taking if you decide to practice and drive at the same time. Get a neck rack if it makes you feel safer ;)
UNlike a cell phone where you feel a need to stay engaged with the person on the other end of the line, you can take the harp out of your mouth any time you want. Of course everyone needs to take individual responsibility for themselves and know whether they have enough "excess brain capacity" to handle the divided attention.
If it wasn't for practicing in the car I don't think I would have learned. I think it is OK - I always felt like the part that was doing the driving was quite independent from the part that was doing the playing - but whenever traffic conditions warranted more of my attention I just took the damn thing out of my mouth!
Haha, I say something similiar; if it wasn't that I could carry a harp about with me I wouldn't have learned. But I have done a lot of practice at bus stops!
My buddy is a fireman down in Alabama. I wonder if he's ever attended a wreck where the guy ate a harp. I'll have to ask...
Same here. I practise everytime when I'm driving on the highway. Flutters for example, flutters with tongueswitching, bends, slaps, vibrato, etc. I'm not playing real licks that's to distracting. In Kim Wilsons interview on the site I heard him say that he practised while driving his car all the time. So it can't be that bad ;-)
I can't believe what I am reading here.
Driving in the Northern CA, Bay Area anytime of the day and especially at rush hour has broken me of the habit. Unless I'm in gridlock or where they shut down the Highway and you get to get out of your car and chat with other folks while they put out whatever is burning.
There was a time when I was driving on a busy freeway and a truck on the other side of the guard rail lost one of its big back wheels (not just the tire) which came bouncing over into my lane and just missing my windshield by inches. I play harp in a rack a lot so the temptation is strong. I'd hate to think of what would have happened to my poor harmonica if it was in my mouth and that tire made a direct hit.
If you have a car or a camper with cruise control, maybe you can turn it on, relax and go sit in the back seat with a beer and play while the car drives itself !
My best practice time was alone on a beach staring out at Lake Michigan. I like to think there were harmonica spirits in the water from all the great blues harp players that came out of Chicago.
Stupid Is As Stupid Does
I can't believe what I am reading here.
Ehm, guess this means that you don't play while driving your car? ;-)
One problem is with the battery-powered amp settings. The kids keep wanting to fool around with them, and the volume changes and feedback can be almost distracting at times.....you don't want the amp up in the front seat, though, in case of an accident (airbags damage amps!). And if you put the kids in the front seat, they can distract you from playing (and driving) with their complaints about getting smacked around by the headstock of your guitar on rainy days (on rainy days, at least in the US, you have to play left-handed, because you can't roll the driver-side window to stick the guitar neck out while you are accompanying yourself), especially when you make those quick turns with your knees (which have to be used while playing guitar as well as when tight mic cupping or hand effects are needed).
It can also be problematic if one gets too carried away with effects pedals...I know that using a battery-operated amp in the car is already a sacrifice of tone, but by the time the Harp Break, a delay pedal, and a loop pedal are all connected there on the floorboard, one runs the very real risk of damaging one of your cords when it invariably gets tangled up in the brake or gas pedal. Not only that, but your loop recording can be ruined by a single mis-step on the brakes, and if you have a manual transmission, you could evendamage one of your effects pedals when you clutch.
It's probably safer to just teach your 12 year old how to drive, give him a cushion to sit one, and hop in the back seat so you can get in a half-decent practice session!
Very true Marcos- I find that playing harp on a motorbike can also be a bit dicey, especially when getting carried away with a slow blues solo, eyes closed and ready to drop to your knees to emphasise the emotion you are channeling through the harp
...talking about the dangers of playing on a bike, or even in a convertible with the top down.....it sends chills up my spine just thinking about all those unwanted draw notes (from the wind in your face) that can ruin a first position solo
shakes on a motorcycle can be amusing once you hit top speeds.
I just saw David's tip on playing softly and his comment on truck drivers playing harmonica. Oh boy, really this is scary stuff. Seems many people do it and think its ok. I want to see a 'myth busters' investigation
Having your harp handy while a train goes by just seems so natural to practice the train sounds matching the rhythms you hear. Blow a whistle or two.
I do get looks and a bit of finger pointing but that can be looked at as entertainment from my perspective.
Having a harp in the car and practising at any opportune moment is quite a remarkable advantage of this small instrument.
But lets all be safe.
It's not a guitar or a piano nor do you need an amp.
Man...the neck rack idea is frightening.
I confess I sometimes have played a little while driving, but I broke the habit and now i wont do it. It's gotta be a distraction. Red lights, traffic jams...ok. I hear you on the hypnotic state, but I think that's something you have to fight off. Driving a car can feel rather insular and cozy, but its really not. Expect the unexpected. There is danger all around, things can change really quickly. You really do need to be alert and focused on driving, difficult as that is in these times of boring roads, automatic transmissions, cruise control, ABS, safety features and speed cameras. Check the road toll...I mean the fatalities, not the modern day highway robbery...you gotta stay on the ball! It's really a big responsibility piloting all that mass. You could kill someone. Imagine being involved in a bingle, and there you are with a harp in your face. How do you feel?