Re: OK! OK! ENOUGH!

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Apr 30, 2004, at 11:56 AM, Dennis Cooper wrote:

>
> Greetings,
>
> One of the biggest challenges to the legitimacy of the harmonica as a  
> musical instrument is that most everybody can afford to buy one and  
> not learn how to play it before they "perform".

   Aaaaarggggggh, you caught me.
>
> Let's face it, Any fool with six dollars in their pocket for a cheap  
> harp and a belly full of booze can be a "star".

  Jeez, I'm glad you didn't say "cheap booze" too. I drink nothing but  
the best $6.70 (a BOTTLE) rum.

>  Those who've played the club circuit have seen these pathetic  
> creatures in action. Gussing in the wrong key on every song...Loud and  
> long...It's SO wrong. They sit there wondering (usually out loud) why  
> the band doesn't call them up onto the stage so they can be  
> discovered.

  Yeah, we had one of those Wednesday night. The guy persisted in  
hanging around my left ear while screaming chord changes at the guitar  
player and constantly yelling "Someone toss me a guitar". I finally had  
to ask him when was the last time a guy hit him in the face really  
really hard while holding a roll of quarters. A little while later he  
was seen falling off the dock and into the harbor.
>
> It's all about musicianship. Doesn't matter what instrument. What  
> matters most is EARS!
>
> I met a former World Champion (who out of kindness, I'll not name  
> publicly) last year at the National Oldtime Fiddler's Contest. He's a  
> MONSTER player. Such technique I've never heard in my life.  
> Mind-boggling solo player. A virtuoso!
>
> He can't get a steady job with a working band and regularly gets asked  
> to step down from the stage at public jam sessions.
>
> I must stress that this gentleman is not a druggie or a drunk. He's a  
> nice guy.

  At this point I have to thank you for NOT mentioning my name. It is  
very kind of you to not bring unnecessary contempt upon me. I will  
forever be in your debt.................anonymous!

>  What he lacks is the ability to listen to what's happening around him  
> and make a musical contribution to the effort. He is so busy trying to  
> prove that the harmonica is a legitimate instrument that he overplays  
> continuously and stomps on every other band member's moment to shine.

  The devil makes me do it. I once stole an ancient oil lamp from the  
museum and ever since then I have had the "Midas Touch in Reverse".  
Everything I touch turns to S**t.
>
> This guy, IMHO does lots more damage to our "image" than the alleged  
> mediocre professional entertainers we've been slamming.
>
> I am of the opinion the the difference between amateur and  
> professional status as a musician has nothing to do with proficiency.  
> It's whether you do it for a living or not. The official definition  
> I've seen at competitions is that a person who derives more than 50%  
> of their income from music performances and record sales is a  
> professional.

  Not only do I NOT derive a percentage of my income from playing, It  
actually COSTS me money. Once I was pretty well off, but I have been  
playing so long that the money is gradually running out. Ahh...that's  
Jazz for ya.
>
> I've noticed that the successful virtuosos among us are also  
> incredible musicians and entertainers as well.
>
> Be well and practice...
> The Harmaniac? Dennis M. Cooper
> http://www.crossharp.com
>
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