Re: [Harp-L] Because they Can

["David R. Fertig" <dfertig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jazmaan thanks for your apt observation that, to paraphrase, 
technique-driven playing (as distinct from, e.g., song-driven playing) is 
not limited to over-blowers, Poppettes, etc.  And that the lack of 
technique is also a force that can drive players to abridge a melody or riff.

I confess I am one whose limited ear and technical skill leads me to elide 
or glide past a note because I don't (or don't know to) get it.

As a former roustabout and an itinerant jammer, I don't have the 
song-driven perspective you have - which I've had the pleasure to hear, in 
fact.  (Y'all should hear Jazmaan's  sublime "Hey Joe.")

But I think I will try to learn from Jazmaan and work on learning songs 
too, instead of just riffs, rhythms, fills and trills.    Dunno, though, I 
may be too old a dog to muster the 3 or 4 grey cells I have left.

-Dave Fertig

At 10:18 AM 11/18/2004, jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Ben wrote that most overblowers over utilize their technique, playing 
> certain things "because they
> can" while most harmonica players can't.
>
> I don't think that's a fair criticism of overblowers because I think the 
> same can be said of many
> harp players whether they overblow or not.  Too many harp players playing 
> at Popperesque speeds
> "because they can".   Too many harp players using painfully shrill 
> high-end blow bends "because
> they can".  Too many harp players overdoing simple shakes in a Chicago 
> blues setting "because they
> can."
>
> Without claiming I'm immune to that syndrome, I think that my approach to 
> harp is a little less
> vulnerable to it.  Because my own harp playing is song driven.  I choose a 
> song to learn and then
> I do my best to accurately recreate it on the harp, without much regard to 
> whether I'll get a
> chance to show off my bag of harp tricks.   If I can play every note in 
> the tune, as it was
> originally written, then I'm happy.  If I can show off a little bit during 
> the solo slot that's
> fine too, but I'm more concerned with playing the song as it was 
> written.  Nothing bugs me more
> than hearing an otherwise great harp player take liberties with the melody 
> just to make a song
> easier to play on the harp.
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