Re: [Harp-L] Re: Digest Number 1533 Harmonica as harp ?

[Bob Cohen <bcohen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill Hines wrote:

> "I cannot say it without bothering my heart fearing criticism or
> ridicule from traditional classical musicians or harpists."
>  
It's funny to me that you say this.  I worry that real bluesmen will 
think I am what I appear to be, a middle aged suburban dad who used to 
be cool.  ;-) 

A while back, golly it seems like a long time now, I interviewed Earring 
George Mayweather for a piece I was writing for LIVING BLUES. ( That was 
back when I was first starting to take our instrument seriously.) 

So of course one of my first questions was, "When did you first start 
playing the harmonica?"  There was a palpable delay in his response 
(sort of like that dip in power when you first turn on the Microwave)  
and he momentarily withdrew into himself, almost as if he was 
translating a foreign language.  He repeated "harp" to himself a few 
times.  Life flashed back in his face and he went on as if nothing 
happened,  "I been blowin' harp since I was . . ."  I forget the age and 
am too lazy to check my notes.  But ever since then, I've said "I blow 
harp."  Though, like many people who speak other languages, sometimes I 
forget and say harmonica.

Bob Cohen