Re: [Harp-L] Because they Can



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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