RE: [Harp-L] Subject: diatonic vs. chromatic

["Smith, Richard" <rismith@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know I'll probably get blasted for this, but that has
never stopped me before.  So I'll go ahead and go out on
a limb - - - 

I object to the implication that one must be able to "read"
music, in order to be a "serious" musician.  Who really 
cares what "other people" think?  If you can make them 
feel and smile when you play, do you think they are sitting
there wondering whether or not you can read music?  

Is someone who does "paint-by-numbers" really an artist?
They are only putting the specified colors in the specified
locations, made up by someone else.  The art comes when 
YOU decide where to put the colors, when there ARE no numbers.

Likewise, I think that "musicianship", or lack thereof, is 
determined by what you play when nothing is written - - when
it comes from your own head, from your own heart, when you
are in the moment.

If you are a "classical" musician, then of course reading is
pretty much required, but I don't think that applies to the vast 
majority of harp players.  You guys out there who play in blues 
bands, or rock bands, or bluegrass bands,how often have you been 
in a situation that required you to read music?  I certainly 
have nothing *against* reading music, but I don't think that it
is the demising line determining who is a real musician.

Richard J. Smith
Wormleysburg, PA


-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Chris Michalek


The harmonica as a "serious" instrument is still in it's infancy. 
How many of you read music? How many understand theory? I bet 1% or
less on this this.  1% is an appalling number for any other
instrument that is not the nose flute.  Quite the opposite is nearly
true for key, sax and guitar. 

Within the next decade I think we'll see a substantial leveling of
the two instruments.  There will be numerous star players on diatonic
and/or chromatic.  When the harmonica hit's the point of becoming a
"serious" instrument then schools will begin to offer courses and 99%
of harmonica players with be "schooled" musicians. They will be able
to read music, understand theory and make Db, F and Ab fit over a C
Maj scale :-)