Harmonica for Seniors

irv
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Harmonica for Seniors Dec 23, 2022 2:23:24 GMT Rex and Sebastian like this

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Post by irv on Dec 23, 2022 2:23:24 GMT

I recently moved to Melbourne (not Australia) Florida. At 91 years of age and now single after a few years as a caregiver for my wife. My son thought it would be a good idea to sell my house and move closer to him. So now, here I am with an apartment in an independent living facility, most all the people living here are at least 75 years old. What I would like to do is get some of the people here interested in learning the harmonica. I would teach them how to play simple songs by the numbers (tabs). I would provide the printed songs and all the instructions, everything free, except the harmonica. The harmonica I think that would be okay is a Hohner Special 20. I am scheduled to give a demonstration in the middle of January 2023. Any suggestions on how to get older people motivated to attempt to try it.? The only investment would be the harmonica which would be less than $50.

Rex
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Harmonica for Seniors Dec 23, 2022 5:10:35 GMT via mobile

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Post by Rex on Dec 23, 2022 5:10:35 GMT

Hi Irv. Sorry to hear about your wife. Sounds like she was blessed to have you there for her.

Teaching harmonica in Florida sounds like a wonderful idea. Maybe you can get a group together and post a harmonica band video! Good luck. I have played at retirement homes. They always love and recognize the old tunes. Some have spoken to me afterwards to tell me about a friend or relative who played harmonica. They say my old time playing reminds them of those times.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Troost Bid voor ons

Sarge
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Harmonica for Seniors Dec 23, 2022 15:46:59 GMT Rex likes this

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Post by Sarge on Dec 23, 2022 15:46:59 GMT

Great idea Irv. The Easttop 008k is a good harp and you can get them from rockin ron for around $23 shipped. I use the 008k on most of the videos I do. I think the lower investment will get more folks interested. Money may be tight for some of them.
Here's a link: rockinronsmusic.com/products/easttop-blues-pro-with-riveted-reeds-t008k?_pos=9&_sid=6af46f0d2&_ss=r

Last Edit: Dec 23, 2022 15:48:03 GMT by Sarge

The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.

Rex
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Harmonica for Seniors Dec 23, 2022 18:09:18 GMT

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Post by Rex on Dec 23, 2022 18:09:18 GMT

Dec 23, 2022 15:46:59 GMT Sarge said:

Great idea Irv. The Easttop 008k is a good harp and you can get them from rockin ron for around $23 shipped. I use the 008k on most of the videos I do. I think the lower investment will get more folks interested. Money may be tight for some of them.
Here's a link: rockinronsmusic.com/products/easttop-blues-pro-with-riveted-reeds-t008k?_pos=9&_sid=6af46f0d2&_ss=r

Ron also offers discounts if you buy several harps at once.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Troost Bid voor ons

dezzy Charter Member Posts: 824	Harmonica for Seniors Dec 23, 2022 23:44:23 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by dezzy on Dec 23, 2022 23:44:23 GMT Irv, I’m in a similar position and had the same idea. But I’m 95 and the folk around me are more interested in having a beer and talking about sport, politics and their past .

Sebastian
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Posts: 488

Harmonica for Seniors Dec 29, 2022 17:12:26 GMT Sarge likes this

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Post by Sebastian on Dec 29, 2022 17:12:26 GMT

I never did teach how to play the harmonica, but I wonder: Is it helpful to start teaching the harmonica by numbers? I would suppose that the harmonica lends itself to play songs known to all by ear only. Only after people have come to grips with how to basically manipulate this thing, I would introduce tabs (or dots).

Et qui suaviter canere non potest, sibi tamen aliquid canit.
And he, who cannot sing sweetly, sings nevertheless something for himself.
(Boethius)

Sarge Administrator Posts: 1,708	Harmonica for Seniors Dec 31, 2022 1:00:10 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Dec 31, 2022 1:00:10 GMT I agree with you Sebastian!
	The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.

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Post by irv on Dec 23, 2022 2:23:24 GMT

Post by Rex on Dec 23, 2022 5:10:35 GMT

Post by Sarge on Dec 23, 2022 15:46:59 GMT

Post by Rex on Dec 23, 2022 18:09:18 GMT

Post by dezzy on Dec 23, 2022 23:44:23 GMT

Post by Sebastian on Dec 29, 2022 17:12:26 GMT

Post by Sarge on Dec 31, 2022 1:00:10 GMT

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