Re: [Harp-L] OB's/Intonation

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Whoa,whoa, whoa, wait a second.  Where in Cletus's post do you see 
chromatic vs diatonic?  Not one reply has addressed the (exception RH) 
why the emperor has no clothes line is applicable.  It's the 500 pound 
gorilla sitting in the living room that everyone refuses to acknowledge. 
 Diatonic harmonica players do talk about intonation issues, the 3 and 
2 draw bends in particular.  When you're playing with other instruments 
pitch does matter.  To pretend it doesn't if you're in the groove is 
absurd.  Arguing that it's ok to play flat because slurred notes are hip 
is apples and oranges at its best.  Slurred notes and bends that shift 
pitch are hip but not at all the same as not playing to pitch.  I'm 
really curious as to what diatonic players working towards the goal of 
true chromaticity on a 10 hole actually think about the intonation 
issue.  Is there denial that it even exists?  It's a legitimate question 
and answering gee trumpet and upright bass players struggle too is not 
an answer.

Regarding the thought that this is a devisive issue, how so?  Talking 
about technique and issues regarding techniques should never be a 
difficult issue in a forum of musicians sharing with one another their 
thoughts regarding the shared passion of harmonica playing.  The issue 
of intonation isn't subjective at all.  Where it becomes subjective is 
when people share the decisions and compromises they've made in the 
pursuit of playing music.  I'm really curious as to why people make 
these expressive compromises and I don't mean in any particular 
direction.  I play using chords and octaves, I use a tuning that skews 
in favour of that scheme.  It's a compromise.  This subject has 
tremendous potential and there have already been some very intriguing 
posts, I'd really hate to see an opportunity like this squandered but it 
is ours to squander.  fjm