[Harp-L] Re: Willie Smith as 'intermediate player'

[moandabluz@xxxxxxx]

Somebody mentioned that they felt Willie Smith was an intermediate 
player, after hearing him play. That bothered me a little, though I am 
guessing the person meant intermediate in comparison with some of the 
heavyweights on this list, perhaps himself.
For me, I figure intermediate is somebody who can improvise a little in 
cross harp, figure out the key of the song on his own, play slow blues 
or 'boogie/shuffle' stuff and can also play some straight harp 
melodies. (yes, this might be me.)
I guess intermediate would have different meanings for different 
people, then. (Is this where the infamous IMO comes into play?)
  My meandering point is: Sure, Willie Smith probably never played 
above the six hole and he didn't play anything fancy. But he played 
Chicago blues the way I expect it used to be played.. the tone, the 
timing, the phrasing, the 'feel' was good for me. If a person can 
convey the "feel" of a song in a strong fashion, I hate to see 
intermediate used to describe his playing. If I could play that well . 
. . Ahh, I guess that won't happen. But I sure can enjoy it.
Steve "Moandabluz" Webb
still, still, a fool for the harp

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