Re: [Harp-L] Possible extinction of Chromatic

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think anything that gets people playing music is a good thing. 
Although my school music experience was dreadful I'm a firm believer in 
school music programs and luckily live in a state that allows a dollar 
for dollar tax credit for direct donations to school programs.  You can 
specify the program, I always pick Mariachi.  Mariachi is to the 
soutwest what Polka used to be to the midwest.  Some of the absolute 
best musicians I've ever played with came out of Mariachi in the 
schools.  Hoot has done a lot for harmonica with their strong local club 
presence in several cities in Texas.  I do think harmonica suffers 
somewhat from a lack of a strong folk tradition.  Lots of fiddle folk 
music from Acadian to Bluegrass and everything in between including 
Mariachi.  Name a vital folk tradition featuring harmonica?  Kind of 
sort of blues but it's not entirely vital in that same way with national 
meets and networks of clubs.  Harmonica the misfits instrument.  fjm