Re: [Harp-L] Discussion topic: Why do you want to play blues?



For me it's definitely a passion for the genre and I definitely would want to have an original voice. It reminds me of the dude who came up to me at a gig and asked about my gear and pontificated on the fact that since I didn't have a bassman with 4-10's and I wasn't using reverb or delay how was I going to sound like Little Walter.
I don't think you choose the blues, the blues chooses you. Here's some things I wrote down and carry in my harp case: " Some may say I can't play, but no one can say that I didn't play." Adam Gussow said in an article in, I believe Blues Revue," One can play from other places, certainly-the head, the gut, the balls- but the discipline of blues harmonica does seem to demand, at a certain point, that you figure out a way of unburdening your broken, raging heart with the help of notes." Albert Collins Blues Philosophy 101A: " You play to try to get other people to feel what you feel. And if they can't feel you, ain't no sense in playing, man."
----- Original Message ----- From: "Buddha" <groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:17 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Discussion topic: Why do you want to play blues?



This is mainly for diatonic players and of course the question doesn't
apply to all.

Why do you choose to play blues on the harmonica? Because you love
blues or because you love the harmonica and it seems to be heavily
intertwined with blues?

I ask this because all of my students come to me wanting to learn
blues but instead I end up just teaching the harmonica in a way where
the student leaves with the ability to play whatever they want. So
far, none of my students are as steeped in blues as they were in the
beginning. Most venture off into jazz, rock, funk, fusion, pop or
country.

So is playing blues an ability issue, "copycat" issue or one of
passion for the genre? Is there a reason players don't seem to seek an
original voice on their instrument? A good example of original voice
is, George Brooks, watch the SPAH jam vids, he sticks out every time
it's his turn to play, even when he plays 2nd position. Jason Ricci
is another person with an original sound as are Little Walter, Lee
Oskar and Howard Levy etc...
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