Over the last couple of years while using Linux, I've slowly become better at what could loosely be described as "hacking".
I mainly focus on stuff that is Palm related, mainly trying to integrate some of the command line tools available for Linux->Palm connectivity with some well known Linux applications.
Learning Harmonica using your Palm?
I've recently started to learn to play the harmonica. I've purchased a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C. With a raft of books from friends, library etc I'm really enjoying the experience. Alot of fun!
It got me thinking of how I could use my Palm to help me learn this fabulous wee instrument. The harmonica shares alot of the features we all love about our Palm's, cellphones etc in that there is no excuse to not have it with you at all times. It can fit in your pocket etc without any problem at all. So I did some hunting around & found this eBook "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica ". In a HUGE departure from my normal "moths in wallet" approach, I forked out the $US15.95 for it (oooh, feel dizzy!). Now I can't carry around an instruction book about playing the harmonica with me all the time, BUT I can have an eBook on my Palm that I do carry with me all the time! Fortunately there is a free version of eReader to allow to read eBooks.
The real hardcopy The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica book comes with an audio CD, which obviously you can't download when you buy an eBook, so I have sent a few emails around to the appropriate parties seeing if its possible, having "paid" for the book, to also get the audio CD as well (fingers crossed!). Was thinking it would be real cool to have the audio CD as MP3's also on your Palm to hear if what your playing sounds even remotely like it should! haha. Will update this inane blurb & let you all know how it goes!
Update: I borrowed The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica from the local library, then ripped the CD to MP3. As the mp3's are kinda worthless without the book & versa, am gonna make them available here (65Mb). My usual policy with this kinda stuff is, if anyone complains I will take it down immediately.
Another idea I had about how the Palm could help your harmonica playing is using the Sound Recorder on my Palm Tungsten T2 to record what awful sounds I'm making. Be great to play back what you've done & compare to a live recording for instance. As an example of some awful sounds, I recorded this particulary horrid sound using my Palm Tungsten T2 when I first got my hamonica. Rest assured, I have got better!
Let me know of any other ways a Palm could help me learn to play harmonica!
Am compiling a list of other software below that could be used to help your harmonica playing:
- TuneIt - A tuner (to get the right key) & a handy metronome
- Metronome - Another handy wee metronome app
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Thats all folks at the moment! If I come up with anything else I'II post it here.
HHGTTG & Douglas Adams at his best! Very sage advice!
