Fwd: RE: [Harp-L] Re: Harmonica Challenge

["jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx>]

Oops, I meant to copy this to the list too:


--- "jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 17:51:31 -0800 (PST)
> From: "jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Re: Harmonica Challenge
> To: Chris Michalek <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> 
> I never really thought of the Harmonica Challenge as a competition.  I just want to hear someone
> who CAN play the song well on a diatonic actually do it.  My hat will be off to that person and
> his (or her) example will certainly serve as an inspiration to me.
> 
> Somewhere in the back of mind there's always the suspicion that even the best of the overblowers
> are cherry picking their songs to a large degree, avoiding songs like "Tunisia" in favor of
> easier
> tunes that lay better on the harp.   I suspect that's why "Blue Bossa" and "Autumn Leaves" show
> up
> so much at SPAH jams.    If overblowing makes the harmonica a viable jazz instrument then a
> common
> jazz standard like "Tunisia" shouldn't be avoided.   I understand that a skilled and
> knowledgeable
> overblower can improvise on the changes to Tunisia just like any other jazz tune.  I'm more
> curious about the MELODY.   I'm still waiting to hear the melody played convincingly (as
> written)
> on a diatonic.  When that day comes, I'll be happy to acknowledge the fact and recognize the
> person that proves it can be done well.  That was the main point of the challenge as far as I
> was
> concerned.   Give the people who can do it and accessible forum for us all to hear.    
> 
> If Harp-L had some kind of ongoing upload space for members, a formal "Challenge" wouldn't even
> be
> necessary.
> 
> 
> 
> --- Chris Michalek <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > >>What does it say about the legitimacy of overblowing as an approach
> > >to harmonica if only 5 players
> > >>in the whole world are up to the challenge?   Not even 5 percent? 
> > >Just 5 players?  And one of
> > >>those 5 declines to demonstrate.  Hmmmm.
> > 
> > This has nothing to do with the legitimacy of overblowing. It is and
> > forever will be a legitimate technique. Although none of us really
> > know, I'm sure people thought about bending notes and playing blues
> > the same way you speak of incorporating overblows and playing jazz on
> > the diatonic.  The fact of the matter overblows exist and more and
> > more people will use correctly them as time goes on.
> > 
> > I'm no longer willing to participate because the event has lost it's
> > original intention which was to help tom albonese learn the tune. 
> > It's very playable in a number of positions.  Why does it have to be
> > turned into a competition on who and which instrument can play it
> > best?  There's no point in that.  People will do what they do.  Any
> > person's involvement in this "look see what I can do wanker fest"
> > will not alter the way anybody approaches our humble little
> > instrument. I personally don't need to prove my playing abilities to
> > anybody.  I would rather spend my time writing and playing my own
> > music rather than demonstrate how well I can play somebody elses. My
> > goal is to transcend musicianship and become an artist.
> > 
> > If anybody needs help with this tune or any other, I'll do my best to
> > help you offlist.  My offer to host the challenge still stand but I'm
> > really not into competing on this level.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Chris Michalek
> > 
> > 
> 
>