Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica MasterClass Workshop

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

I wasn't referring to the concert, but to this method of teaching. There always should be a few "archivists" that can catalog and demonstrate what the ODBG's did. It's like watching old films on The History Channel.
 
I feel that too many teachers of harmonica lean more toward "archivist" and less towards contemporary understanding of the creative process.
 
Either approach will get a student to a desired goal - the "archivist" road may take years while the "understanding creative process", coupled with "learning proper techniques" will make a player out of you in as little as 6 months (proof is in my students' abilities to jam out after 6 months or less exposure to this alternate teaching direction).
 
Do Mr. Barret's students learn licks created by other creative masters? According to his books and the workshops I attended, that is his focus. He is good at what he does. 
 
I don't find that direction to be as useful or exciting as getting to the core of creativity and having the student discover that he/she has the ability to play original ideas that come from inside themselves within the first few months of learning to play the harmonica. Once you "get it", you listen to the "Master's" with new understanding of what is happening. Then, if you want to "cop one of their licks", it is fast and easy. Usually the student is more excited about discovering their own originality than spending time cloning the originality of another.
 
The Iceman
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: harplicks@xxxxxxxxx

I don't
think that was the purpose of what Greg was
describing. In his preface, he clearly stated that
it was a: 

"History of the Blues concert. This is a concert
Dave Barrett has been working on with various
people for 3 years."

It sounded to me like this was a concert intended
to showcase the work of specific past masters - as
in, "present their styles" - so that attendees
could listen to and appreciate what came before
them in an accuate context. This was a show, not a
class to get students to mimic masters note for
note. 

I don't think "bring out the clones" is at all what
Mr. Barrett's classes are about.
 
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