Re: [Harp-L] Virtuosity

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 19, 2004, at 8:04 PM, Steve Shaw wrote:

> I don't even know whether there's any such thing as a virtuoso, and 
> even if there is I wouldn't like to be the one to have to write the 
> definition.

 Me neither. To me it's someone who can raise the hair on the back of 
your neck even IF the material they are playing is nothing special. If 
they can take a mundane piece and make it come alive and move you, this 
is the grail. I was listening to the Eivets Rednow CD today and while 
there are nine tunes there, only 6 are any good. And while Stevie does 
as masterful a job as possible on them, 5 1/2 (out of 7) come off as 
good. (BTW 2 tunes have NO harmonica). Sooo, 5 1/2 out of 7 = 78.57%. 
Sorry Stevie, no cigar today.

AND, before someone decides to send me a possessed effegy doll from the 
Sunderbands, remember..NO-one likes Stevie's playing more than I do.

>   One thing I do know is that there's more to it than being a 
> consummate master of technique.

 Exactly, I firmly believe that the SCAPS (scientific compendium of 
associated parameters)involved in BEING a virtuoso, are so extensive 
that they would make an excellent Doctorial thesis for someone in 
either the music OR sociology fields. Remember not to discount 
genetics, culture, theology, etc.  Any takers?

>  My son, now aged 24, is a very talented guitarist, (though, 
> lamentably, he has yet to find an outlet for his playing).

 Yup, know whatcha mean, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

>   He was taught by a well-known classical guitarist/lutenist through 
> his school years.  Once, his teacher organised a "masterclass" which 
> was taken by an eminent Hungarian classical guitarist.  I was sitting 
> in on this when it was my son's turn to come under the "master's" 
> scrutiny.  My son duly played his prepared piece, rather well I 
> thought at the time.  But, just as he finished the piece, the "master" 
> seized the guitar and said in broken English: "you played the notes 
> very very well.  But now I show you how to play music..."
>
> That evening the Hungarian played a concert for all the pupils and 
> parents.  The music-making was sublime, and not once did I think about 
> the guy's "technique."

 Technique takes you to that fork in the road. A trip down EITHER fork 
will take you to another, then another, etc. Some like to think 
"ladder" but (to me) that connotes a necessity for always climbing or 
going UP. I think it just as ok to go Obliquely.

>   My son is now into Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers big-time, but 
> he still talks affectionately about that day.

 The affectionately part is a good sign.
smo-joe
> Steve