Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: 7-10/ Now - Harmonica players as sidemen

["Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

She's only "got it" if you agree with her assessment that not wanting to
play "full songs", or "instrumental pieces" is a "problem". Where I
live,,"not wanting" to do something is called freedom of choice.

One may have the capacity, talent, or skill to "play a song" on harmonica
but prefer to hear it done on keys, or vocally. That's an artist's
perogative, to decide what belongs where, and in what way. That doesn't mean
they are "lost" when it comes to "playing a song". That decision needn't be
ridiculed or brought into question by those preferring to bring down the
performance into a debate over skill level or ability. If Robert Bonfiglio
chooses to use harmonica to express something, would I resort to questioning
his ability to do it on kazoo, because of his choice? No, I would assume he
made that choice in an informed manner, and enjoy it.

Personally, I wouldn't choose harmonica to be a lead instrument, as often as
it is, by harmonica players seeking musical success. As often as I've heard
it, it commonly becomes a novelty, a kind of demonstration of what can be
done,  and who can do it, a spectacle of virtuosity, rather than something
for the preservation of the ages.

Again, just my opinion.

But I've heard many pieces of music which ARE already considered of archival
value which use the harmonica in a purely supportive manner. Important to
the whole, but supportive, nevertheless.

Remember,,I'm not passing legislation here, no "bills in congress",,just
making observations. Anyone has the freedom to disagree.

BL


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe and Cass Leone" <leone@xxxxxxxx>
To: <EGS1217@xxxxxxx>
Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: 7-10/ Now - Harmonica players as
sidemen


>
> On Feb 10, 2008, at 11:42 AM, EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> >
> > Perhaps part of the problem is that too many beginning blues harmonica
> > players focus only on learning 'riffs' the way their heroes
> > did...don't want to
> > actually learn to play full songs..or instrumental pieces from
> > beginning to
> > end.  If one asks them to actually play a song..they're lost.
> >
> > Elizabeth
> >
> As the professor said of Eliza(beth) Doolittle..... 'I think she's
> GOT it'
>
> smo-joe
> >
> >
> >
>
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