Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Who decides who is Bad or Good?

[Bob Cohen <bcohen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:

> techniques and some diatonic blues after playing chromatics for years  -- how on 
> earth is someone like me to ever know whether I'm "good", "bad" or  merely 
> "passable", especially after hearing this?  

You'll know when it happens.  And when you do, you won't need anyone's 
validation.

> It took every ounce of courage I had to tentatively play my chromatic for

Use that courage and also use the fear to keep you on your toes. 
Butterflys in the stomach aren't a bad thing.  It does get better.

> Since I'm the only musical one in my family with no encouragement and have  
> only been able to play what I hear, naturally I'm already unsure about any  
> musical capabilities I might have, have had absolutely no harmonica players in  
> my life to give me pointers  or critiques so am, essentially, flying  blind.

The sad truth about music (and the arts in general) is that 2% make 98% 
of the money leaving everyone else to fight for the crumbs.  This sets 
you up for disappointment if you're hoping to find encouragement or 
validation from practitioners.  Don't get me wrong, there are some 
generous players out there who go out of their way to help people along 
but you'll find they are few and far between which is what makes them so 
very special.

What's that old joke?  How many harp players does it take to screw in a 
light bulb?  Four.  One to do it and three to stand there saying they 
could've done it better.

> they wouldn't immediately decide  I was a BAD player because I'm nowhere of the 
> caliber of a Sonny  Terry, Big or Little Walter, etc.

Just be yourself.  Play because you love the music.  Practice because 
it's fun to learn new things.  At a minimum you'll get proficient.  And 
if (a) you practice your buns off, (b) you've got something to say and 
(c) audiences dig it, you won't worry whether someone whom you don't 
know thinks your a bad player.

> I suppose if there's a question in all of this it's this (for anyone  to 
> answer):  Who told you - or how did you find out YOU were a good  player?

This is an interesting question.  There are a great many musicians out 
there who are legends in their own minds.  Whom do you imagine told 
them?  Of the genuinely talented, well . . . the word will get out and 
people will treat you accordingly.  But in the end, if you're playing 
for audiences and you pack houses, there'll be no shortage of people 
telling you how good you are.

(Just Plain) Bob