[Harp-L] Pattern players

[Roger A Gonzales <gonz1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Is there such a thing as an original pattern player?  I don't think so.  I know of none since we 
ALL have 
influences that come from others we listen to. Jason, Howard, et al.  Even Mozart learned 
from Haydn.  
Regardless of the instrument we listen to, there are patterns we all adapt as our own  They 
don't have to be 
harmonica patterns.  Actually, it is probably better that you find patterns that are not 
normally found on a 
harmonica, from other instruments and other genres,  Doing this will offer more "originalty" 
to your patterns 
and playing.  The key is to emulate moreso than duplicate.  There are far too many players 
that duplicate much 
more than they ever emulate.  What was it that Paul delay said?  Something to the effect; The 
world needs 
another Litttle Walter sound alike like we need another Elvis impersonator.  That pretty much 
sums it up.  Thank 
you, thank you very much. 

One of the keys to changing that is to apply what you have learned and are learning to 
genres that you don't 
expect to hear the harmonica.  I liked that non-harmonica songs thread.  That is exactly the 
idea.  Regardless 
of idiom, playing familiar patterns then takes on a different and a much more original sound.  
That is what 
many players ...like Popper...have done.  Like it or not he is doing alot of stuff in the Rock 
genre that alot of 
Rock harmonica players have never done.  This is probably why the "slam Popper thread" has 
again raised its 
ugly head.

Roger Gonzales
Fresno, CA.