[Harp-L] Iceman's Student - RJ

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

Every teacher loves to find a receptive young student that hasn't been tainted by preconceived notions on how a harmonica is to sound/be played.
 
Sunny Girl was my joy while living in Detroit.
 
RJ is my Florida find.
 
While Sunny Girl was a fully mature talent re-incarnated into a young body, RJ is a developing talent fueled by passion and commitment. He really does practice for HOURS EVERY DAY.
 
The two teachers alluded to in the newspaper article are myself and Dennis Gruenling.
 
RJ found out about me almost three years ago. I've been teaching him weekly for almost that entire period. He took time off about 3 months ago in order to study over the internet (via real time computer video feed) with Dennis for a series of, I believe, 6 lessons, where he learned the importance of tongue blocking EVERYTHING a la Gruenling.
 
Because I am an unconventional teacher and not a "blues man", I lead RJ down the path of playing MUSIC on the harmonica, with blues being a subcatagory. As a result, he was asked to join his HS Jazz Band and is a featured soloist at some of the school concerts on harmonica. This is a real breakthrough in the educational system and didn't come easily. 
 
RJ had to literally stand up for his right to be heard, was treated poorly and almost not allowed to audition once the word "harmonica" was mentioned. To his credit, he pushed the issue until he was allowed to play for a music teacher after school in the music office area. By chance, there was a small crowd of students/parents/teachers in the area. After he played "The Star Spangled Banner", he got a standing ovation from the people within earshot. Of course, the music teacher could no longer "diss" the harmonica and allowed RJ to perform this piece at a HS show. From that point on, attitudes began to change towards harmonica at that school.
 
We work on understanding music, melodic line and creation thereof, jazz theory, harmonica techniques (ALL of them), maturity and egolessness. The music is the thing - not "Dig me, I can do this on the harmonica", but rather "Dig this music. It happens to come through my harmonica".
 
Those that attended Augusta Heritage Blues Week the last 2 years have already heard RJ play. The rest of you will soon get a chance via internet and all its wonders and through his performances to come.
 
I told him, "With a name like RJ Harman, you better be great out of the gate, as there already is an RJ Mischo and James Harman, pros sharing your name."
 
Also, that link to the newspaper article doesn't show the beautiful color pictures of RJ playing and his harmonica collection. For once, it is not a usualmediasillyinyourfacevaudevillegoofylookingharmonicaplayercloseup, but a real artistic and well done set of great photos.
 
This is the way towards future acceptance and respectability for the harmonica.
 
The Iceman