[Harp-L] Re: Blues

[SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx]

That is a great question Elizabeth. I believe every individual handles  
personal heartbreak differently from my experience in the psychology field, and  
personal. Some block it out and can play as if it weren't there for that time,  
and music can be a great healer for that short period of time. Playing in 
front  of an audience, in a club, having people respond to you, is at many times a 
 surreal experience. I think most can rise above the personal pain to give it 
the  "show must go on" attitude. There certainly are times when you have an  
experience that is just too much to bear and you need to take care of yourself 
 which may mean grieving, that is a personal matter. A mother passing, very 
close  loved one, tragedy, some things in life for each individual take 
precedence over  playing music. I don't think any two people are wired the same 
concerning how  they deal with emotional pain, so the answer will differ with each. 
Dennis is by  far a greater expert on this than I, personally I have had my 
share of mostly  physical pain, having emotional pain could be channeled 
through the harmonica,  it still hurts no matter what. Grieving is a process that 
many numb with drugs  or alcohol so not to feel, and takes time. There are times 
when I have felt I  didn't have an ounce of spirit left in me to blow any air 
into the harp, I think  it is truly subjective matter.