Re: [Harp-L] Diviseness at SPAH

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I only attended one SPAH due to work scheduling.  Most of the  
conventions I get to attend are Buckeye.
Here is how I see it based on my time attending conventions.

What I see are the older players mingling who have attended the  
conventions for years and got to
know each other over time. We all tend to hone in on a familiar face  
in a crowd to socialize at gatherings whether it's harp related or not.
Most of the guys in attendance were middle aged or younger when SPAH  
started.  They grew old together like most of us middle aged diatonic  
players are doing now.
Some have grown up on harmonica bands. Others have taken to playing  
soloist formats preferring traditional band settings.
This is only a statement not a put down.

Since harpl and other list groups  emerged in the mid 90's a whole  
generation of harp players became aware of each other.  I couldn't  
wait to go to my first
convention so I could meet and hang with all the guys/gals I got to  
know on harpl.   Everyone I socialized with were mainly diatonic  
player with the exception of
Doug Tate.  Some of the chrome players I got to know on this list  
were not in attendance or I was unaware of them being there such as  
Siegfried and Vern.
Winslow was a part of  both camps bringing together young chrome and  
diatonics with the groups he formed to perform.

There was a big push for SPAH membership on harpl when I joined in  
1997 that continued for a few years.  We wrote of our first  
experiences at both SPAH and Buckeye conventions and started having  
meetings at the conventions.  Harpl members made a point of hooking  
up with each other. It just so happens were are 1) mostly diatonic  
players 2) blues players 3) overblow players.

I don't think we generally diss each other based on harp played as we  
are uncomfortable with the music or jam format.  I would have no  
problem joining in a hall jam with chrome players if I knew the  
ettiquitte (sp) rules for jamming with them.  When I see players  
paired off in a small group I tend to generalize that it is a private  
party.

Maybe some of you chrome players (Jack Ely)  on the list can fill us  
in on how to join in a hall jam already in progress.  I wouldn't want  
to GUS a private jam.

I do like to mingle with both the diatonic and chrome players.  I got  
to meet a nice guy  from Memphis that attended high school with  
Elvis. I would have missed a great conversation if I hadn't  opened  
up to him.  I never ask for special seating with friends during the  
dinners.  The older chrome players have always welcomed me at their  
table.

Where I do see a noticeable clique is among some of the overblow  
players.  This was seen at my first convention in 1998. Other  
diatonic players have been told you have to be able to overblow to  
join in the hall jam. I don't see it as being about the music at that  
point as it is about having a head cutting/ego contest among some  
overblowers to out play each other.  I know most of the overblow  
players would never think to alienate other players but there are  
snobs among the diatonic camp that tend to elevate themselves above  
others if only in their own head.  It's only a matter of time before  
the gap among diatonic players widens due to the uppity attitude of a  
few who want to create a division.   Like jazzman said, you know who  
you are.

mike



On Oct 8, 2005, at 11:16 AM, jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> snip....
> I see the cliques at SPAH and I don't like them.   But you can't  
> blame the chromatics or the older
> players - the most blatant cliques I've seen have been among  
> certain diatonic players.   You know
> who you are.
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