Re: [Harp-L] Entertainment

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Murray" <dlmurray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 10:06 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Entertainment


> If you get up in front of an audience and play some complex jazz or 
> classical music, it is a given that they expect you to be able to play it 
> well. The fact that it isn't supposed to be possible to play it on a 
> diatonic harp and took you years in the woodshed to accomplish it means 
> nothing to all but a few of them. If they come back to hear you a second 
> time, or tell their friends that "you've just got to go hear ...", they 
> were moved and entertained, not just impressed.

I once thought that playing chromatic harmonica and accompanying myself on 
guitar would impress audiences.  No way.  First, not one in 100 knows the 
difference between a diatonic and chromatic harmonica or that a chromatic 
normally has a button.  The stunt value of bending/overblowing or 
hands-free-chromatic goes right past 'em.  At first I tried to explain it 
but got only blank stares.  On very rare occasions, a chromatic harmonica 
player will ask "How did you do that?"  You are correct that the music and 
the entertainment value must carry the performance.

IMO, you must have vocals more than 50% of the program.  All instrumentals, 
no matter how good, will have them yawning and heading for the door.

Vern