[Harp-L] RE: Burying, EGOS
Sonny -- a good post. I'm always a bit humbled as you bare your soul
regarding your personal journey.
I am not a gifted harp player -- in fact I'm a pretty average beginner. But
at 47 years old the ego issue means little to me. However, had I picked up
this instrument at a younger age, some of the exhuberance of the
head-cutting type could well have been enough to keep my aspirations at bay.
However, my experience in the harp community has introduced me to the least
egotistical crowd I've ever met. I'm sure there are exceptions, but it seems
to me the majority of harp folks are incredibly supportive and encouraging.
>From my local instructor Alec Drachman, to Sonny whom I've communicated with
on other topics, to the supportive folks here on harp-l, to Lee Oskar, who
personally called my house one night to answer an emailed question, I've
never met a group of folks who as a whole, are so egrarious and accepting of
others.
The fact is this entire "bury" issue is based on a poorly selected choice of
words, rather than arrogance or animosity.
This is a good crowd, and I'm very happy to be able to play my squeeky
wavering bends with confidence that all I'll hear is encouragement and
constructive help.
Paul
> -----Original Message-----
> From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx
> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 3:04 PM
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Burying, EGOS
>
> For someone to say they will bury anyone that tries to shine
> on Their stage is a bit egotistical, is it not. Maybe one has
> not traveled the world and been in their small town for too
> long, to think only a few players will cut their heads off.
> It is not about that, we are diluting the GIFT that playing
> harp is, with this "I am better than everyone else stuff".
> Maybe it is the age, but seasoned players who have traveled
> know how many great players there are that are not famous,
> with truly unique styles. I have heard clips of many of
> players on the list, and each have their own style. So if
> Dave Barrett comes down with his fog thick tone and you play
> a thousand notes to his one soulful one, is one better than
> the other? Embrace each other's gifts, you may find peace
> within yourself to where you don't feel the need to think
> that way. Until it is taken from you, we do not know just
> HOW much of a gift it is to be able to play and perform in
> front of an audience. I lost my freedom for nearly two years
> and was not allowed to play harp, but I was forced to look
> inside who I really was and how I interacted with people.
> Medical issues may knock you out, so lighten up, look at the
> big picture. Yes so many on the list play extremely well, and
> I applaud you. We are all one. When I speak of my
> experiences with the greats it is not to say look what I
> did, I am trying to pass along experiences that were truly a
> blessing, and hopefully some can enjoy them and learn from
> them. If we want to keep this list alive with REAL content,
> let's put egos aside and talk harp, technique, experiences,
> amps, acoustic, country, jazz, mics, whatever. One more note
> and I will leave, when it comes to what Annie did or did not
> do, SHE is the only one in her heart that can answer that
> question, and I know her, she is a fine person. Another
> issue is I don't feel we should put her in the category of a
> good "female" player, like she is ok, for a woman. She is a
> great HARP player, who has had to overcome stereotypes that
> probably pushed her harder to be the player she is. We must
> pass onto the younger generations what we have been blessed
> to have passed onto us, not hold it tightly against our
> chests. I mean no malice to anyone with this post, I have
> been there. Sonny Jr.
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