That's me on the right .
Hi I’m Dave Bassett,
At age 55 I hit a midlife crisis but instead of buying a Harley I thought I should play a musical instrument.
As a nipper I had taken piano lessons but absolutely hated it. Then in my teens I had owned a guitar but only knew enough to look like I could play.
I love music, in particular blues and have over 1000 albums in my music collection.
Little Walter, Sonny Boy, Paul Lamb, James Cotton, Snooky Prior, imagine being able to play a harp like these guys?
The harmonica has always hit a musical G spot for me, it was a small instrument, I could have one in my pocket to practice whenever I had a place or a moment to do so. Maybe I should take up playing harp?
A friend of mine Neil Billington happened to be one of the most competent harp players in the country and I marvelled at the sounds he could create so after some discussions he encouraged me to give it a go.
My dream was to become competent enough to one-day play alongside Neil on stage (we all are allowed to dream).
I love playing the harp and play in the shower every morning where the acoustics are almost studio like (I have to play with a plastic comb harp in the wet and discovered the Hohner Special 20 absolutely fit for purpose).
My long-suffering wife is even kind enough to say she enjoys listening to me practise.
I also decided to get lessons (thanks Greg Dyer for being so patient). I’m a DIY kind of a guy so I had to swallow my pride and admit I knew nothing and probably wasn’t going to be on the planet long enough to learn what I needed to know to be able to honk out a string of notes.
I have learned so much from others so the Harmonica West club is just another way for me to learn even more.
Yes I got to play on stage with Neil after just 3 years, I was invited to play in a band and finally got a regular gig in a restaurant before coming to WA in 2013.
WA has so many talented musicians so I feel like a pig in muck.
What I discovered is:
1. If I do something I love, amazing things can happen. It also makes the hard stuff seem easier.
2. An old dog can learn new tricks.
3. Don’t give up. There have been times when that bit of tin and plastic has driven me mad but I have never given up. I look back at things I couldn’t do and wonder now what all the fuss was about.
4. Don’t be a know all. When I accepted I knew bugger all I became teachable.
5. Push myself. Even if it feels uncomfortable just do it . Get up on stage, play for a friend until it all becomes natural.
I hope our paths cross as I’m always keen to talk to meet new harp player friends.
Keep honking!
At age 55 I hit a midlife crisis but instead of buying a Harley I thought I should play a musical instrument.
As a nipper I had taken piano lessons but absolutely hated it. Then in my teens I had owned a guitar but only knew enough to look like I could play.
I love music, in particular blues and have over 1000 albums in my music collection.
Little Walter, Sonny Boy, Paul Lamb, James Cotton, Snooky Prior, imagine being able to play a harp like these guys?
The harmonica has always hit a musical G spot for me, it was a small instrument, I could have one in my pocket to practice whenever I had a place or a moment to do so. Maybe I should take up playing harp?
A friend of mine Neil Billington happened to be one of the most competent harp players in the country and I marvelled at the sounds he could create so after some discussions he encouraged me to give it a go.
My dream was to become competent enough to one-day play alongside Neil on stage (we all are allowed to dream).
I love playing the harp and play in the shower every morning where the acoustics are almost studio like (I have to play with a plastic comb harp in the wet and discovered the Hohner Special 20 absolutely fit for purpose).
My long-suffering wife is even kind enough to say she enjoys listening to me practise.
I also decided to get lessons (thanks Greg Dyer for being so patient). I’m a DIY kind of a guy so I had to swallow my pride and admit I knew nothing and probably wasn’t going to be on the planet long enough to learn what I needed to know to be able to honk out a string of notes.
I have learned so much from others so the Harmonica West club is just another way for me to learn even more.
Yes I got to play on stage with Neil after just 3 years, I was invited to play in a band and finally got a regular gig in a restaurant before coming to WA in 2013.
WA has so many talented musicians so I feel like a pig in muck.
What I discovered is:
1. If I do something I love, amazing things can happen. It also makes the hard stuff seem easier.
2. An old dog can learn new tricks.
3. Don’t give up. There have been times when that bit of tin and plastic has driven me mad but I have never given up. I look back at things I couldn’t do and wonder now what all the fuss was about.
4. Don’t be a know all. When I accepted I knew bugger all I became teachable.
5. Push myself. Even if it feels uncomfortable just do it . Get up on stage, play for a friend until it all becomes natural.
I hope our paths cross as I’m always keen to talk to meet new harp player friends.
Keep honking!
