Re: [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?

Well in my case it would be that the only music i like is Blues,well apart from some Classical/opera(in small doses).Jazz will send me screaming from the room and harmonica playing Pop standards is not the icing on an insipid cake for me.
As far as choice of instrument to play the blues on well i guess it was a mixture of awe at the sounds i was hearing from the ODBGs on the Harp that didn't bear any resemblance to Dylan or Adler etc,the fact that all my mates were playing guitar and lastly some innate ability that wasn't so apparent on other instruments. Portability was a factor too,nothing to lug around in those pre amp days.


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.
Thats great for them and seems to be a trend in modern Harp playing.Adam Gussow has just stated on his latest U tube that he is 'over' old style blues Harp and enthuses over the playing of the modern Harp Meisters such as Jason.I can appreciate the skill and talent involved but would still rather listen to classic blues Harp such as Charlie and Kim play so well.
I have been playing for a long time but am still(imo) a very average player and have no real ambition to explore any other facet of harmonica other than straight blues harp.but thats just me and i realise that if we want good Harp music to still be around for a while we need people who are willing to expand the(diatonic) instruments horizons to encompass music it was never intended to play.
To sum up I guess i play the blues because i love the music,it is somewhat technically easier to play(well as oppposed to learning o/bs 12 keys on one harp etc) and i guess i'd always be happier as the 12th violin in an orchestra rather than the lead in an avant garde ensemble.
I dunno maybe it's just because i'm bone idle ,musically challenged and just plain unadventurous.No wonder i've got the Blues ;-)
Rick
in NZ


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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Richard Marsh
Test Certifier No: 00050





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