Re: [Harp-L] this recent thread on positions, notes, colors etc...

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

For me the major difficulty in playing in the circles at Spah or Buckeye 
is an inability to hear.  It's almost as if you're playing with delay 
and needing to compensate.  If what you do is play with rhythm or go 
against the tempo or chop the time you are handcuffed. It's almost as if 
what it requires is learning an entirely different style just to be 
successful in that setting.  I've certainly never gotten a grasp on how 
to acheive it.  The people who seem to thrive in that environment all 
seem willing to go out on limbs and make major major mistakes.  Clearly 
there's a very steep learning curve but people do seem to make the jump. 
 Witness the rave reviews of Warren B's triumphant return to this 
year's SPAH event.  It's not as if you're not making progress Steve. 
I've been astounded by the leaps and bounds you've progressed but I've 
really always heard you in the smaller groups outside the blues jam 
venue.  You have my sympathy on that one, it's not for me.  I've never 
played well in the festival settings. fjm