Re: [Harp-L] Discussion topic: Why do you want to play blues?

[Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Chris, 
Great question... 
I was hit with a passion for blues and harmonica in the pretty much the same instant. Until I heard the blues, I was more or less indiffernt to music. Until I heard blues harp played, the harmonica was, to me, a joke-instrument played by guys in hobo costumes on the Ed Sullivan show. One day I heard my brother (primarily a classical pianist) wailing out blues in my living room, accompanied by his friend Eben Ross wailing on harp. It was like being struck by lightning and thunder all at once. 
My passion for blues harp has followed me my whole life, and encompases tons of blues outside of harmonica driven bands. As I heard more music, I started appreciating other styles of music beyond the rock I heard on the radio. Classical, melodic modern jazz, pre-big band jazz, Brazillian, Celtic, bluegrass etc., are all in my CD rotation these days. My non-blues music rarely involves harmonica. 
To be truthful, it wasn't until many years had passed that I heard other styles of harmonica that attracted my ear. I never clicked with the Adler or Toots stylings, and that Harmonicats sound just isn't my bag. I'm totally digging what you and some of the "modern" jazz/funk diatonic guys are doing on harp, and that has turned my harmonica ear in a more jazzy direction. Hearing guys like Rodrigo has opened me up to Brazillian harp harp sounds. 
Personally, I'd like to create my own voice within the blues, but I don't necessicarily want to play only blues. I'm slowly branching out... persuing the sounds that attract me. 
I think it's totally cool and appropriate that you present an open architecture to your students. Give them the tools and let them go where their musical hearts pull them. 
Be well,
Harpin' in Colorado,
--Ken M.



----- Original Message ----
From: Buddha <groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:17:10 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Discussion topic: Why do you want to play blues?

This is mainly for diatonic players and of course the question doesn't
apply to all.

Why do you choose to play blues on the harmonica? Because you love
blues or because you love the harmonica and it seems to be heavily
intertwined with blues?

I ask this because all of my students come to me wanting to learn
blues but instead I end up just teaching the harmonica in a way where
the student leaves with the ability to play whatever they want. So
far, none of my students are as steeped in blues as they were in the
beginning. Most venture off into jazz, rock, funk, fusion, pop or
country.

So is playing blues an ability issue, "copycat" issue or one of
passion for the genre? Is there a reason players don't seem to seek an
original voice on their instrument? A good example of original voice
is, George Brooks, watch the SPAH jam vids, he sticks out every time
it's his turn to play, even when he plays 2nd position.  Jason Ricci
is another person with an original sound as are Little Walter, Lee
Oskar and Howard Levy etc...
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