Re: [Harp-L] review of "Paul Butterfield Teaches BluesHarmonica Masterclass"

["Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul F. Sehorne" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 11:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] review of "Paul Butterfield Teaches BluesHarmonica 
Masterclass"


> On at, 28 Jan 2006 18:29:27 -0800 Don Grubbs wrote
> >> I never liked critizing someone who did a better job than I could have
> done.
>
> I knew when I criticized Butterfield's work that there was a better than 
> good possibility of offending some Harp-L'ers, but as a consumer spending 
> my money I DO criticize those 'who did a better job than I could have 
> done' when their product or service is disappointing.  If I subscribed to 
> above philosophy I would not be entitled to criticize anyone who sells me 
> an inferior product or service just because I personally could not do 
> better - whether that someboby be a music teacher, carpenter, lawn 
> groomer, auto repairman, etc.
>
> I was not criticizing Butterfield for his musicianship or commitment.  If 
> I had purchased the product (as I have many music harmonica CDs) for the 
> listening value and as a example of something worth while to try to 
> emulate, I would not have been disappointed.  As has been said here there 
> is a lot of good stuff on the CD to listen to and try to emulate, but from 
> an instructional standpoint it is lacking.  I purchased 'Paul Butterfied 
> Blues Band' and 'East-West' CDs and am not disappointed because they live 
> up to their expected purpose.  But 'Paul Butterfield Teaches Blues 
> Harmonica Masterclass' , as an instructional course, did not live up to 
> its purpose.  Did it have great examples?  Yes.  Did it have great 
> instructional value. No.
>
> I didn't criticize the product just to complain.  I feel that other 
> students should know what to expect.  If after reading my 'review' and the 
> replies to it in this forum, someone chooses to purchase the product they 
> will not be disappointed.  If however, they, like me, purchase it 
> expecting instruction, they will be disappointed.  For $15 I spend it is 
> worth it, and maybe more, for the reasons Don has pointed out.
>
> For instructional value I still feel that even at four times the price 
> Portnoy's product is the better value.
>
> No offence meant from this front either.  I'm just enjoying this forum 
> where many contrary and informative opinions can be found and enjoyed.
>
> Paul

Hi,
I think the real point here IMO, is that just because someone is a great 
musician, it doesn't mean that they will also be good teachers, and this is 
much more common than you think. It's quite similar to a professional 
athlete whenever they become coaches, and there are many great athletes who 
were absolutely horrible at coaching, so this comparison actually makes 
sense because I've seen many great musicians whi just couldn't verbalize 
what they learned particularly well, and the vast majority of people assume 
that they always can/will and if these musicians can't/won't, here comes the 
stereotypical myth that they won't give away their so called "trade 
secrets," and many musicians are not particularly well organized about 
anything and good teachers will also have a sense of structure and each 
lesson will need to be structured, especially for each individual student. 
Again, just because they are great players, this doesn't mean that we can 
EVER assume that they are going to be great teachers and teaching is a true 
art form in itself. I haven't given lessons in many years because IMO, 
giving an occasional tip here and there is FAR different than real hard core 
teaching, especialy if it is a student starting from ground zero. Appreciate 
a great jmusician for what they are, but too often people think that will 
also make them good teachers, and too often, this is NOT the case. It's like 
saying that if you use each and every bit of a great musician's gear and 
instruments, this will suddenly make you a great musician too, which is VERY 
far from the truth. Some of you out there may have such idol worship that 
it brings very unrealistic expectations of them and with a few, even the 
slightest criticism gets them in a tiff as it being an attack of their 
heroes. To survive in the music business, the musician ABSOLUTELY has to get 
thick skinned or they'll never survive. Every great musician I've listened 
to, I have both praise as well as criticism for, and so you just can't be 
putting people on such high pedestals that your views tend to be totally 
unrealistic, as these people are human beings, all capable of great things, 
dumb things, hurtful things, etc. Do you like everything any of your friends 
or relatives do without questiuon?? Of course not, and not everyone is good 
at everything they do regardless of what it may be.

Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
MP3's: http://music.mp3lizard.com/barbequebob/