Thank You!!

Not a question. Just wanted to thank you "publicly," and to encourage others on the site.

Before I came upon BluesHarmonica.com (nine years ago!), I had been fooling around with harmonica for a year or two, mostly at home and in the car (to the horror of family members and passengers), and had used some books and various online instructions, enjoying playing but not advancing appreciably in ability.

The thought of ever playing in public, or even with "real musicians" had not seriously crossed my mind.

I found your specific teaching methods, insights, and patience to be a great fit for my learning process. I consider you the most effective teacher (of any subject) that I have ever had, including over 20 years of my "formal education" oustide of music.

The process of going through your videos, and particularly the LOA series was not only enligthening and inspiring, but also resulted in my being "forced" to perform in public. I wasn't all that good, but it was a rush that I would not have experienced without your "push."

To make a long story short (too late?), that process led to me feeling comfortable enough playing in public to have eventually enjoyed playing at hundreds of blues jams, then to have been able to sit in with bands (invited to!), comfortably accompanying and improvising  with minimal terror and maximum fun. As a result, I have met all kinds of great people, and I enjoy both listening and playing more every day.

Participating in jams, and never saying "no" to an invitation to play, even led me to singing in public at the age of 65! (I would have laughed at the prospect of ever singing outside the shower when I was 64!). And now I'm singing and playing at two or three jams a week.

All of that led to me being in the right place at the right time to get to jam regularly with professionals (who have toured and/or recorded with Carey Bell, Son Seals, Billy Boy Arnold, Bob Margolin) and talented amateurs, and even to get to play and sing opening for Delbert McClinton and for Kim Wilson and the Fabulous Thunderbirds!

So, you have enabled me to fulfill dreams I never even had, to develop a passion for playing, and to enjoy life outside my "day job" more than I can even describe.  I can't even imagine what it would be like if I were innately talented or a better student (I am still "discovering" truths that I later realize you tried to tell me in beginner level videos!). But, to quote Rick Estrin, "I ain't all that, but I'm alright." THANK YOU, PROFESSOR BARRETT!!