Re: [Harp-L] re: was how many? now encouragement

["Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is funny. I pretty much knew that once I broached this subject,
concerning things like "sensitivity", "encouragement", etc..I'd be promoting
a secondary thread on such items as "stoicism", "tough skin", "brass balls",
etc.

There's always this thread in blues music, "Tough Enough", vs., or perhaps
integrated with "Tore Down", or "Lord Have Mercy".

Truth be known, in real life, I sincerely doubt whether anyone is really
"Tough Enough" WITHOUT having first been "Tore Down", (almost level to the
groun',,)

Those who boast of immunity to the sometimes catstrophic nature of life's
circumstances have simply to wait for the right set to arrive, it would
seem. No one is excused. No one is passed over, in this sense. We all have
something, someone, some character building (?) event coming. Some go with
it, turning negatives into positives, through prayer, or maybe a robust
support group, while others turn to self-destruction, and yes, some merely
whine.

I'm not certain what you mean about "building up your convictions and
fortitude. I don't know of any who have simply "pulled themselves up by
their own bootstraps". Most of these ended up on skid row, in my estimation.
It usually takes help.

As far as "True Grit", John Wayne, etc..remember,,his real name was Marion.
He was an actor, who lived in relative luxury, compared to the rest of us.
Same with guys like Bruce Willis, Arnold, Chuck Norris,,

I remember seeing Chuck Norris arriving in the underground garage at South
Coast Plaza, here in Orange County. He was in a limo, and had bodyguards.
Tough enough?

NObody stands "on their own". INternally, or EXternally, there's always
gotta be some support. Don't believe me? Do some time in downtown LA, 5th
and Towne. I did. Lotsa broken men there. "No man is an island".

Better musician? Hell, I wanta be a better person first.

BL

Harp content:

My sister was in professional concert management for 36 years. Classical and
jazz primarily. Head of promo of fine arts at USC, director of the LA Music
Center, Exec of Spivey Hall in Atlanta. She's abit of a snob, when it comes
to harmonica, especially blues. Robert Bonfiglio would have a chance with
her, but not Robert Laughlin, her own brother,,haha.

My parents sang opera, professionally, back in the 30's and 40's, in New
York, and overseas, for the USO just after WW2 ended in the Pacific.

Whenever I whip out my harp, in the presence of my family, I get these
looks,,nice, pleasant, sympathetic smiles,,as if to say,,"We tolerate you,
because you're one of us, in a biological sense, but you could have been a
concert cellist, dear."

Elitists to the core.

In playing the diatonic harmonica, I definitely made the statement,
unconsciously perhaps, that I was siding against elitism, and incorporating
something of "the common people", "the street", even "the negroes",,,

I'm still a family member,,but it's always with an explanation.

Even if I were ever to become "successful" in a musical sense (In all
actuality, I feel "success" whenever I eke out something wonderful from my
little tin sandwich), it would still be on a lower rung, professionally,
from what my parents and my sister achieved. So What. My sister's a wreck,
burned out on music and musicians to a large extent, and emotionally
fragile, living on anti-depressants. The only thing she DOES have going for
her is a decent retirement, in Washington State, and the ability to travel
frequently. Not sure which I'd
pick,,money,,happiness,,money,,happiness,,money,,happiness,,

Well,,since I don't have much money,,

It's,,,happiness!

Now about the money,,


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <IcemanLE@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 6:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] re: was how many? now encouragement


>
>
>
> Bob  wrote: "How many of us would be encouraged to play, even to excel at
> harp,  while in the
> learning process, if all we heard were negative comments  concerning our
> style of
> playing."
>
>
> If all that were heard were negative comments, it would be tough.
>
> However, my experience in the real world leads me to believe that there
are
> always negative AND positive comments made during the learning process.
The
> world is full of both. If the negative ones are enough to freak you out,
> instead  of whining about them, build up your convictions and fortitude.
It may even
>  eventually make you a better musician.
>
> The Iceman
>
>
>
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