[Harp-L] Re: Harmonica & Guitar duos

[Snaruhn@xxxxxxx]

Hi Vern,

you asked an interesting question:

< Do you call harmonica with self-accompaniment on 
< guitar a "solo" or a "duet"? >

Well, think of the "Ironman" Mike Curtis who uses to name
himself a "One-man band". 

OK, M. Curtis surely isn´t an authentic source but you both 
make the same, playing simultaneously different instruments.

Well, as in many other examples the language alone isn´t very
helpful to answer your question, German and English as well.   

Both languages distinguish Duo (duo) and Duett (duet). A duo
are 2 persons which needn´t play simultaneously. However, to
sing a duet (im Duett singen) means that both have to sing.

This seems to be logical but in case of 3 persons the logic is 
gone by the wind. The terms " trio, terzetto" (German Trio, Terzett) 
are defined as compositions for 3 persons, notwithstanding how
many persons are performing simultaneously.

So, your case seems to be clear. As a single person you can neither 
play in a duo nor can you play a duet because that is a composition 
for 2 persons and both have to play.

Upshot: Whether you play harmonica or harmonica + guitar or
             harmonica, guitar + drums you are always a soloist.

Toots Thielemans found another way to play simultaneously
harp + guitar. With his left he presses down the guitar strings, 
his right serves the slide knob of his MT and a second person 
plays his guitar strings. This is doubtless a duo.

Siegfried