Jeremy, I'm a c4-5 injury level quad and now function as a weak c-6. I play harmonica (not as much as I did in the first months and years following my injury). I feel it helped me quickly increase my diaphragm strength and gave me a musical creative outlet. I started out playing with a rack which I had someone else help me into and position for me. Now I have greater arm strength and endurance so I hold it between my palms which allows me to switch between keys and isn't so claustrophobic but requires a chest strap to maintain stability or proping with elbows in combination with tilt to keep from tipping forward. It kind of crunches my chest constricting my breathing but I like the freedom. I'd suggest a short lesson on the circle of fifths. Maybe a cheat sheet showing what key harmonica is the best choice depending on a songs guitar chords (and the cross harp position). List the most common keys. Also a list of good songs to improvise to. I always liked "the house of the rising sun". It would also be helpful to teach how to improvise if you have the wrong but close harp (1 or 2 places around the circle in either direction). I found this very important when I couldn't change my own harp. -Joe Olson
On Fri, May 23, 2014 at 6:09 PM, Jeremy Olson < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi everyone, > Jeremy Olson here from New Zealand. > > I am wondering whether you would like to take part in a project to develop > a hands-free harmonica instruction course for people with a high level > spinal cord injury. > > You are welcome to use the course and provide your feedback to make it > even better. > > You can find out more about the course on my website at > http://www.increasingcontrol.com/new-harping/ > > Anyway have a think about it, > > Regards Jeremy. >
