[Harp-L] Re: How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from Extinction

[Bobbie Giordano <bobbg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Welcome to Harp-L, Phillip and Elaine.  I note that Randy forwarded your 
first two messages, but see that you have also now joined the ranks of 
Harmonica's original Internet mailing list group.  While it's quite 
possible that most members here play diatonic most of the time, this list 
has opened the doors to chromatics and many other harmonicas that folks 
never even knew about before Harp-L.  I was one, in fact, being first 
exposed here to the chromatic harmonica, which led me into a partnership 
with Douglas Tate that eventually conceived the Renaissance Chromatic!  So, 
don't let disparaging remarks get you down; we're just a zealous bunch with 
wide-ranging opinions.  :)  Harp-L's unwavering dedication to respect any 
and all harmonica related discussion means that your opinions are welcome 
here as much as anyone's, even if some folks' passion for rebuttal might 
have left you with another "impression"!

I got a chuckle, though... [teehee!] Your comments being initially posted 
on the chromatic-only list, SlideMeister, probably spawned more discussion 
of diatonic harmonicas than seen there for years!!  ;)

That said, Elaine, I too join with those taking exception to your general 
premise, that a new name for the chromatic instrument is in order to help 
protect it from fading into obscurity.  I find nothing really wrong with 
name it has, and seriously doubt renaming it would change its popularity, 
image, or respect among harmonica players or the general public.  When 
talking with harmonica folks, I always distinguish between them by just 
referring to them as either Diatonic or Chromatic, [or for that matter, as 
Chord, Bass, Tremolo, whatever.]  With less informed audiences, I will add 
the word Harmonica to either one for clarity until they understand the 
differences between them.  After that point, it's again just Diatonic or 
Chromatic, which seem both descriptive and adequate names already.  As this 
approach is probably a pretty common one, I seriously doubt you will sway 
many minds to embrace your name change idea, nor convince them it's needed.

Anyway, the harmonica, of any type, is hardly suffering loss of influence 
or acceptance, but rather rebounding, even in a renaissance <G> of sorts... 
In the last decade or so, almost directly corresponding with the growth and 
significance of the Internet, information and fascination with the 
harmonica has also increased dramatically!

Suddenly, harmonica players have international meeting places where before 
they felt only isolation.  In addition, harmonica-specific websites abound, 
many offering amazing, informative ranges of education, news, instruction, 
tips, music and links to even more of the same on other sites... all aimed 
at harmonica lovers!

Finding instruments and gear to buy has also never been 
easier.  Enticements are everywhere!!  As mail order companies went online, 
access to new and varied instruments expanded greatly, such that, today, 
there are easily dozens of online resources for harmonica buyers offering 
harps, gear, books, CDs, etc., with much better prices and variety, too, 
than local stores seem able to offer.  The manufacturing companies 
themselves now have websites, too, where players can learn about each one's 
whole line of instruments and accessories available today.

Then, of course, there is the incredibly expanding "cottage industry" of 
custom harmonica makers and technicians, often with their own websites, 
including those producing amps, microphones and other equipment.  Nor can 
one ignore the ability to find new, used and vintage harmonicas for sale 
online... If you have a couple hours to kill, plug in the word "harmonica" 
on eBay's search engine sometime and browse to realize how big interest in 
harmonicas has become!!!

And of course, players of every skill level and musical genre, Blues, Jazz, 
Classical, Celtic, Traditional, Bluegrass... SO MANY talented musicians on 
harmonica now have a wider exposure than ever before, thanks to their own 
Net websites and music download sites, streaming radio sites and, of 
course, online discussion groups like this one.  Some of the world's finest 
players now give their valuable time freely on these lists to instruct and 
inspire players from beginner to advanced and all levels in between.

No... the Harmonica may have seemed headed for demise into little more than 
"toy" status, but no more!!!  In all its forms, it has been revived and is 
alive, well and flourishing probably beyond anything the harmonica world 
has witnessed in 30 years or more!  I suspect those thinking this is not 
true are likely unwilling or unable to see harmonica's promising future 
through the forest of memories from a comforting past they still revere and 
wish could return.

And, as for the Chromatic's endangerment, I can only note that, as I did, 
many Diatonic-playing folks are discovering and wanting to explore this 
other harmonica with the mechanical button on the end... and loving 
it!!  I'd have to guess that MOST players I know nowadays who are still 
mainly playing Diatonics have now also added at least one Chromatic to 
their arsenal... and play it regularly, too!  In fact, many have even 
shifted their instrument choice more toward Chromatic in recent years.

More and more, we honor and appreciate the harmonica's early and ongoing 
development and history, especially by encouraging and enabling advancement 
of harmonica musicianship and education, but also with continued efforts to 
elevate the instrument above nagging, ignorant perceptions of its musical 
inferiority.  But, beyond this must be one very important goal for 
harmonica players and enthusiasts... to avoid inciting similar misguided 
attitudes among ourselves, and build bridges not walls, by respecting each 
others' music and their harmonica choice for expressing it.

Again, welcome to Harp-L, and feel free to slog in whenever you like!
Everyone does!  ;)

Cheers!
Bobbie