Re: Lead Guitar Players (Again).

[Mike Curtis <wd6ehr@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> 
> Let us take the positive approach that these guitar people were just
> shooting the breeze about THEIR most favorite instrument. I can give them
> that. And to be fair there are a lot more rock'n'roll bands without harp
> players than with harp players. But a rock'n'roll band without drums? Nah,
> this guy was just talking without all the neurons needed for a complete
> thought. 8-)

Considering that virtually every band has guitar, and there are plenty of 
skilled guitarists out there, a band with a good harp (or sax, etc.) 
fills a niche where there's more demand than supply.  and while there are 
plenty of harp players, how many could you _really_ define as "good"?

I'm considered by many to be an accomplished guitarist, and get plenty of
requests for tunes featuring guitar.  But I get far more requests for
harmonica based tunes.  And this is surprising because I use harmonica
leads on every tune I do.  I take guitar leads on maybe 10% of my tunes. 

People LOVE harmonica, and don't get enough of it.  Even mediocre
harmonica will go over in most places.  (I've had some absolutely terrible
harmonica blowers - I won't dignify what they did by calling them
"players" - sit in with me; and I've yet to have one boo'd off the stage. 
Of course, they only get one tune, which _I_ will end quickly if I deem it
necessary - but I uasually give them a good 4 or 5 minutes.) But let a
mediocre guitarist sit in with your band some time and watch people start
leaving :-)

I can teach a reasonably lucid student enough harmonica in 6 months to 
"wow" the audience.  Try that with guitar - even with an incredible student!


 --  mike curtis
wd6ehr@xxxxxxxxxx