[Harp-L] Re: Demise of the Chromatic?

[MilwHarmonica@xxxxxxx]

This is a reply to J. Elaine Miller's proposition to change the  chromatic's 
name to give it more respect in the music world, thus saving it from  
extinction. I've posted a long reply at Slidemeister, so this will be  short.
 
I disagree with her opinions. We don't need a name change, we need a mind  
change. Inanimate objects don't receive respect. People receive respect.  If 
people want respect, we earn it. To think that changing the  chromatic's name 
will make it more respectable is silly. 
A name change won't do that, and it's not necessary. We already have  
sufficient names,  chromatic and diatonic.
 
If we want respect for the chromatic, don't change it's name, change your  
mind set. Do we respect TVs or computers or pencils? We should respect the  
harmonica's makers' craftsmanship; the performers' expertise and musicianship;  
the publishers' clear descriptions of the harmonica types; and the composers'  
creativity. The cold slab of tin, brass wood and/or plastic asks for no  
respect. 
 
I'm a harp player who plays all types of harmonicas, and I've discovered  
that there isn't a "superior harmonica," as Miller calls the chromatic. Every  
harmonica type has its niche, and every type of harmonica has its strengths and  
weaknesses. Through 36 years of trial and error, I've concluded that all  
harmonica types are equal, there are no superior types, but some harmonicas are  
better than others for certain applications.
 
I once read an ad for a harmonica. It said, "If you can breathe, you can  
play harmonica."
Harmonicas in general, and chromatics in particular, will never become  
extinct as long as
we can breathe, and as long as we play them. Thanks for reading my opinion.  
Howlin' John.