Re: [Harp-L] learning to sing

[Pierre <slavio@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve said:
good slow air playing is the mark of a truly accomplished
player of traditional Irish.

That's understated, I think slow air playing is the mark of a truly 
accomplished player in most styles of music. Its like a whole other talent 
which few musicians really develop. Not many people can do at the top level. 
Toots is a grand master at it - does it all the time (La vie en Rose, Its a 
Wonderful World, ...). Miles Davis can do it, listen to Autumn leaves on the 
Something else album, breathtaking. These are masterpieces.

Pierre.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 7:39 PM
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] learning to sing


> >James Harman once told my friend (then, later, me too) that learning to 
> >sing was the single >greatest thing you can do to improve your harmonica 
> >playing.
>
> > DG
>
> This will interest about 0.0001% of the list, but it's a fact.  Most Irish 
> slow airs have no discernible rhythm and are sometimes even notated 
> without a time signature.  But the majority are derived from song tunes, 
> mostly from songs of a more reflective nature.  If you know the words to 
> the song and can visualise them as you're playing the tune on a harmonica, 
> you play the tune so much more convincingly.  That fast stuff, the jigs 
> and reels, is much easier: good slow air playing is the mark of a truly 
> accomplished player of traditional Irish.
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
> http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
>
> Steve's CD of mostly traditional Irish,  "Blowing Through The Reeds,"  is 
> now available!  Hear clips at http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm
>
>
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