[Harp-L] Chugging

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Iceman wrote:
"if so, it would have been awesome to show him playing Classical  
rather than 'chuggaroo'. (While important to the harmonica evolution/ 
history/preservation, 'chuggaroo' is only 1 step up from train noises"

Rhythmic chugging is one of the best things a diatonic harmonica can  
do musically.  If done well (Madcat, Sonny Terry, almost all the old- 
time guys) it is an amazingly versatile musical tool, and something  
the harmonica does which almost no other wind instrument can.

Chugging, train imitations and the like are playing to the  
instrument's strengths.  Sadly, many people today seem to feel that  
only if you play to it's weaknesses are you doing anything of worth.

As for the general perception: the public likes the harmonica.  It's  
the people on this list who dislike certain types of playing and use  
of the harmonica.  They are no better than the trio-style players who  
were hostile to blues and the diatonic (frankly, I've seen remnants  
of this attitude at conventions, but mostly it seems to be a thing of  
the past).

As for preservation the best thing we could do is to learn how to  
play bass and chord harps.  If not, the trios will not be around  
after the older generation passes.  Other styles are actually doing  
quite well for all types of harmonica, but the trio-type is what  
needs preservation, IMO.  Not that I'm stepping forward, mind you,  
just that look at the people at conventions.  How many people under  
fifty are walking around with chord-harps?

As for advancement.  Good luck.  That's always been the weakest  
link.  In general, just playing is the best, and perhaps only, way of  
encouraging that.  Well, there are others for specific styles, genres  
and types of harp, of course, but last time I mentioned that I got  
yelled at (not really, but check the archives circa February of this  
year).

PS, please don't reply to me off-list.  If you want to continue this  
thread, please do so publicly or not at all.  Thanks.



 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()   & Snuffy, too:)
`----'