RE: [Harp-L] What makes Gindick a great teacher

["David R. Fertig" <dfertig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

For me, Jon Gindick's effectiveness derives primarily from his personal 
care for, and attention to, each of the students.  His books gave him a 
reason to deconstruct harp methodology thus making him a more informed 
technical teacher, but it's his open-heartedness, his love for the harp and 
what it can do for people, that makes him an extremely effective personal 
teacher and Jonny Harmonica-seed.

As for books, not everyone benefits from them alike.   I ain't a 
book-learning sort of guy, I've never really read a harmonica book, ain't 
planning on it, but for some that's the way, for us 
less-academically-grounded types we just gotta suck alot til we figure it out.

But I ain't suckin' booze through my harp, I wouldn't waste good stuff just 
to gum up the reeds, when I can put it to more direct use.  The old 
wood-comb harps (MB's and Blues Harps) I used to blow in the early 70's 
used to respond very well tonally to a quick dip in some beer or booze, but 
then you had to keep dippin' them or they'd dry out and sound like crap, 
and soon the things were ruined.  Even without the comb-swelling problem.

I do have other uses for booze, though.  Nicolas, how much does a litre of 
Oban cost in La France?

-Dave

ps: if anyone trying to contact me gets their message bounced, here's a 
spam-filter workaround email address for me:
dfertig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx




At 11:52 AM 3/20/2005, Nicolas Fouquet wrote:
> Vodka? Yerk! I prefer Oban 12 years old. Meanwhile, to soak harmonica, 
> nowadays, is going to be useless as most of wooden combs are going to be 
> treated ( Hering Vintage 1923, Marine Band Deluxe!).
>
> Froggy
>
> Eric Neumann <eneumann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hmm, okay, but in Glover's book he suggests soaking your harp in vodka... 
> haha - makes it taste good.
> I don't think Gindick suggested that. Just an interesting thing to ponder 
> for me, that is. Also, as for what instructional materials are available 
> today, I think I would recommend any Gindick book, and never, seriously, 
> show the Glover book to a harp student.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Richard Hunter
> Sent: Sun 3/20/2005 10:40 AM
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] What makes Gindick a great teacher
>
> The Iceman wrote:
> "There was only Jon and Sonny Glover, and let me tell you, Sonny's book
> was none too good."
>
> Tony Glover's book "Blues Harp" was a big help to me during my first
> six-12 months with the harmonica. I learned a lot from it, starting
> from the minute I picked it up.
>
> When I wrote "Jazz Harp," the reason I took it to Oak Publications first
> was that I wanted to be part of Glover's publishing house.
>
> So I can't agree that it was none too good.
>
> Thanks, Richard Hunter
> hunterharp.com