[Harp-L] What music does to me

["Dave Murray" <dmurray777@xxxxxxx>]

<<< I've given this "what music does to me" question a lot of thought 
lately, and you may be interested in checking out a discussion I tried to 
get started (with little success so far) on my blog. I called it 'the body 
analogy' and you can find it here : 
http://harmonica.typepad.com/harmonica_ramblings/2006/11/body_analogy.html. 
>>>

Ben, It is an interesting concept that got me thinking about related issues. 
What music does to me when...

1. I play it. It's cheaper than therapy and won't mess up my life like drugs 
or alcohol.

1a. I play it alone. Total freedom.

1b. I play in the company of others. Expression and communication that won't 
turn unpleasant (except for pressure that I put on myself).

2. someone else is playing. Depends upon the music. Your body analogy kicks 
in, but I probably will not adopt it exactly as you describe it, for reasons 
of my own.

2a-z. too far reaching for this post and each of us has our own personal 
reaction to music that we listen to.

Pertaining to the harp (purely subjective personal opinion):

Heresy #1: As much as I love the sound of the harp, more is not always 
better. As much as we'd like to be out front, some of the most pleasing harp 
is when it is played as a tasteful side instrument.

Heresy #2: Virtuosity may not make better music. Show-off super riffs and 
such that display the players skill often become noise to my unsophisticated 
ear. I can't follow it, and it pulls me out of the music.

Non-heresy: A good harp solo can be a glimpse of heaven. In the right lips 
it is as expressive as any instrument can be.

Peace and music,
Dave