RE: [Harp-L] Re: Trivia Question [Amish Harps]

["Bill Hines" <billhines4@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe the Amish are comprised of many different "sects", some of
which are more strict in their rules than others. I live pretty close to
Amish country here in central PA (one of them anyway). Some sects allow
reflective attachments on the buggies, some don't (and pay the price a
few times a year). I'm sure it's the same thing with musical instruments
such as harps. Think I saw one the other day with a Gibson Flying
V....oh wait that was ZZ Top. Just kidding, no offense.

Sorry if someone already said that. I'm catching up with about a
thousand harp-l messages after being away for a few weeks! Missed y'all.


Bill Hines
Hershey, PA

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of S.Doyle Yoder Sr
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 12:36 AM
To: Bobbie Giordano; Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Re: Trivia Question [Amish Harps]

So, it appears a blanket statement about the permitted use of harmonicas
in Amish churches is not accurate, and I'm STILL looking for a specific
reference to the "harmonica" usage.

Actually as I reread my question I see that I misstated something. There
is not really a "church rule" that would "allow" the playing of a
harmonica over another instrument.  Bobbie is correct in that no musical
instrument is allowed in the worship service.  The use of harmonicas for
personal enjoyment has apparently become accepted by many families.  My
father and most of his brothers played harmonicas.  We also had a piano
in our home and of the 13 siblings my oldest brother and I were the only
ones that never learned how to play it.  Two of my sisters took lessons
for a short time.
   In my younger years I did not really given much thought to the whys
of many of the rules of our church.  That is just how it was.  I do know
that I had a radio, as a kid and would listen to WWVA on Friday nights,
and there was a harmonica player on the jamboree, and I loved the sound
he made.

But, pianos and organs are both used in various congregations now, and
it's my guess, and hope to find out for sure eventually, that because
the harmonica is also a "reed" instrument as is the organ, that it was
ultimately "allowed" for musical church purposes based on their shared
properties or similarities.

Yes some of the Mennonite congregations do play pianos, in their
services. It could be that the harmonica was considered a "humble"
instrument of music, that could be hid, as it were.


Or maybe it's cuz we call 'em harps!!!  ;)

That sounds as good as any reason.

See you at SPAH, too!!

Doyle______________________________________________
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