Re: [Harp-L] Re: Shakin Smith

[Bob Cohen <bcohen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris Michalek wrote:

> Clearly, Shakin changed keys but the band didn't follow.  However,
> it's painful obvious that it's shakin that didn't follow because the
> entire band stayed on the I when shakin went to the IV.  This sounds
> terrible and shows a general lack of musicianship.  

Didn't that notoriously bad musician Walter Jacobs do something similar 
in that dreadfully executed song, "Juke"?  ;-)

> Sure, he's got great tone and plays with feeling but he certainly is

The guy's a BLUES harp player.  Tone, feeling, and a whole bunch of 
other stuff that doesn't get taught at the We're-Smart-And-You're-Dumb 
School of music matter a great deal.  Indeed, failing to recognize such 
basic concepts shows ignorance of the form.

> As we both agree, everything needs to be done within a musical
> context and to play "outside" is generally ok in Jazz, it's is NOT ok
> in traditional harmonica blues is largely out of musical context.

What does this mean?  Sounds like freshman music-school-speak. There is 
no inside or outside, there's you, the audience, and the music.  Bill 
yourself as a blues act and you've got an obligation to retain SOME 
contact with blues forms and conventions.  However, the forms and 
conventions are a means of expressing yourself within in particular 
mode.  They're not rules to be slavishly followed or mindlessly bashed 
out of a need to carve a niche for yourself.  Follow either of those 
paths and you doom your music.

Along with technical facility the most important thing anyone in the 
arts needs to do is keep his mind open.  In one school of Zen, this is 
called "Don't know mind."  Approach the music this way and everything is 
possible.  Be like Squidward (sorry guys, I've got small kids), and 
you'll spend your entire life pissed off at the world. :-)

Bob