RE: [Harp-L] An illustrative story.

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

> So - this sounds really corny, I know- let's
> all try to do our instrument proud when we play for others to hear.  And if
> you aren't really good yet maybe you should keep it at home for a while
> longer until you are.
>
> Sam Pittsburgh
>
> Sam Blancato, Pittsburgh

It's the guys who aren't really good yet but who neither know it or don't 
care to know it.  Arrogance has no place in music-making - a dash of healthy 
ego or pride (justified) is another matter.  I haven't encountered too many 
other harmonica players in my remote neck of the woods (I don't get out 
enough either!), but I've come across this problem time and time again with 
guitarists.  A good, sensitive, listening guitarist is the best asset in the 
world in traditional Irish sessions, but for every one of them there are six 
who can wreck a session single-handed.  You can be a technical *!%&oso on 
your instrument, but it ain't worth a bean if you lack musicality.  As a 
teacher (former) and parent (still) I went to many a school concert in which 
I heard great music-making that would almost move me to tears played by 
pre-teen kids on cheap instruments.  From the heart, to the heart.  I also 
once went to a recital in London given by one of the world's most famous 
string quartets, and left in disgust at the interval because, technical 
geniuses though they undoubtedly were, they just could not communicate the 
music to the audience.  There's more than one facet to musical ability.

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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