Re: [Harp-L] When Did Fast Become Good?

[Mike <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

If you are someone who plays fast, trying keeping up with some skilled and 
respectable guitar players.  I am a huge Derek Trucks fans and a lot of 
what we consider, "fast", is casual on guitar.  Derek Trucks is NOT known 
for being a fast or notey player, but if you try to even keep up with some 
of his blues playing, there are a lot of runs that would be hard to keep 
timing with on harmonica.

Three other thoughts:

1.  People don't articulate what they mean well all the time.  I *think* 
what is being suggested here is that people dislike players who play fast 
for long stretches without dynamics...meaning there is the issue of too 
many notes.  In fact, that might be the core issue and not the actual speed 
as the harmonica is NOT speedy relative to other instruments.

2.  Context is also very important.  First of all, we have all heard 
endless and endless traditional blues harmonica playing.  Any variance of 
that is something that is going to grab our attention whether it be good or 
bad.  Same with the masses.  I bet we have all at some point introduced 
ourselves as playing harmonica to others with a caveat..."I play harmonica, 
but not like what you're thinking", is what I say about 99% of the time. 
 People either associate harp with blues playing of Bob Dylan playing. 
 ANYTHING other than that will sound impressive.  Other examples are 
walking around on a wireless, playing a train, playing with no hands, etc.

When watching a live band, they should be creating moments for people. 
 Playing fast on a tune or something can be that moment.  When 80%+ of what 
American audiences have heard of harmonica essentially takes place over the 
same two chords and 5 holes of the harmonica, people get numb to it.

3.  Not everyone plays blues.  Of course, most Western harp players assume 
that, but I am willing to bet from day one, even in the States, the bulk of 
harmonica being played is NOT blues.  Play Oh Susanna on the harp.  Played 
at the right tempo, that is not a slow or moderate song.  

I am not telling people what to like and not like.  I am only suggesting 
that making a blanket statement about playing fast is just that.  Some 
people may dislike it because of the patterns or note choices, whatever. 
 But fast is just as musical as anything else.

Starting out I wanted to play like John Popper.  Then I heard Jason Ricci 
and wanted to play like that.  Then I heard Chris Michalek and wanted to 
play like that.  I spent several years making myself NOT play fast (by fast 
I mean fast...I am not discussing my use of space or how long I jam, etc.). 
 During that stage, I didn't play super fast, but I still used tons of 
embellishments.  Truth is, I play rock music 3/4 of the time and it makes 
me happy to play really fast and notey sometimes (I tend to leave space and 
not jam for too long nowadays).  I stopped fighting it and in the last year 
my playing has gotten a ton better.  I am a happy person that likes playing 
the high end of the harp fast sometimes.  It sounds joyous and makes me 
feel good.  I just play what makes me happy, lol.  Truth be told, I find 
myself jamming to other instruments, though, and realizing the harp is just 
not a "fast" instrument and what we consider "notey" and "fast" is less 
fast and notey than horns, keys, and guitar.

Finally, I have never enjoyed head cutting.  Trading licks is great, but 
I've seen clips of high profile players just going after each other.  While 
I can respect that and understand that I am probably in the minority - the 
musicians and audience love it - it just doesn't move me.  The reason for 
this is that it often results in players NOT playing things very musically. 
 That doesn't mean it is bad, I just don't go looking to hear that stuff.   
Tying it all together, http://youtu.be/56SHlnUrhuM?t=3m34s.  You can go 
back and listen to Warren and Taj takes solos, but Derek's solo has 
dynamics, is sorta notey, very melodic, and fits the groove.  Playing that 
on harp would have you compared to guys like Popper and Ricci for the sheer 
notes and speed.  

Mike

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:23:54 PM UTC-5, Sean Murphy wrote:
>
> Hm - Flight of the Bumblebee... 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QV1RGMLUKE 
>
> or a bit more current... 
> Green Hornet theme... 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zXx0ReqOOI 
>
> I don't think it's just a modern thing. 
>
>
> On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 10:39 AM, AC â <ac4m...@xxxxxxxxxxx <javascript:>> 
> wrote: 
>
> > I'm not so sure that playing fast is unique to the post MTV generation. 
> I 
> > have some recordings of Eastern European harmonica trios / bands from 
> the 
> > 50's and in majority of the songs they play incredible fast - often in a 
> > "showing off" look how fast I can do this manner. I personally find 
> nothing 
> > wrong with it, as long as it is musical and the notes are there.  AC 
> >  > To: rober...@xxxxxxx <javascript:>; har...@xxxxxxxxxx <javascript:> 
> > > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] When Did Fast Become Good? 
> > > From: icem...@xxxxxxx <javascript:> 
> > > Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 11:08:54 -0400 
> > > CC: 
> > > 
> > > It all started with MTV (camera shots that changed every 2-4 seconds) 
> > and video games (constant movement). 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Generations have grown up subjected to this type of rapid stimulation. 
> > It encourages passive acceptance (keeps the brain entertained) with 
> minimal 
> > effort from the recipient. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > It's a funny world now. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > The good news is that the WELL PLACED NOTE, sustained and surrounded 
> by 
> > NOT PLAYING still will move any audience. The performance fear may be 
> that 
> > the player, if using this approach, definitely puts himself out there on 
> a 
> > tight rope, balanced by a different type of deeper talent. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message----- 
> > > From: Robert Rowe <rober...@xxxxxxx <javascript:>> 
> > > To: har...@xxxxxxxxxx <javascript:> Harp-L <har...@xxxxxxxxxx<javascript:>> 
>
> > > Sent: Sun, May 12, 2013 10:31 pm 
> > > Subject: [Harp-L] When Did Fast Become Good? 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > When did we develop the mindset that playing at breakneck speed was 
> the 
> > hallmark 
> > > of a good player?  So often I'll hear a player rip through a run of 
> > 1/128th 
> > > notes and the audience cheers like it was the second coming of Christ. 
> It 
> > > doesn't seem to matter that the pitch , timing and intonation was 
> > terrible. Fast 
> > > = good. I caught the bug ala Eddie Van Halen when I learned to shred 
> my 
> > > electrics. The poor janitor was sweeping notes up off the floor for 
> days 
> > when I 
> > > got done. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Now, in my old age and wisdom, I appreciate a tune played at a 
> > reasonable pace 
> > > so that you can hear the tone of the instrument, the nuances applied 
> by 
> > the 
> > > artist, the perfect pitch and timing. It reminds me of a quote 
> > attributed to 
> > > Miles Davis; "Learn to play the silence." 
> > > 
> > > Kelly 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> > 
>