Re: [Harp-L] Harmonicas and respect

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have no problem with the idea that harmonica players need to behave like musicians.  I certainly agree that every musician should learn as much about music and their chosen instrument(s) as they possibly can.

I utterly reject the idea that Little Walter was handicapped as a musician by his alleged lack of theory knowledge, unless and until someone can show me that his musical intentions and execution were somehow thwarted by these alleged shortcomings.  His entire recorded output shows a constant expansion of the boundaries of the blues, which was his chosen genre. I don't hear a lot of thwarting going on in those tracks. Quite the contrary.

In other words, pointing to Little Walter's supposed failure as a composer and player strikes me as a misguided way to make the point that it's a good idea to learn theory.  I might just as easily point to Stravinsky's failure to create convincing jazz as an example of the importance of learning to improvise.  The point is that both these artists had the tools they needed to make the music they wanted to make. 

Of course every artist should aspire to grow.  I certainly do.  But artists are measured by both the quality of their intentions, and the extent to which the intentions are fulfilled.  I don't hear a lot of shortcomings in either department in Walter's work.  I mean, the guy was the pinnacle of the blues, for Pete's sake.  If you're going to slam him for that, why don't you slam T-Bone Walker and Stevie Ray Vaughn while you're at it?

Regards, Richard Hunter  
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp

-----Original Message-----
>From: Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Jul 7, 2008 3:54 AM
>To: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harmonicas and respect
>
>Richard,
>
>I regret that you did not at least acknowledge the main thrust of the 
>letter: that we don't get no respect because we think we are different 
>from players of all other instruments. And that's why most harmonica 
>players I hear just "tootle around" on their instruments. It is the one 
>instrument designed for lazy people who don't want to waste too much 
>time or effort. You can just pick it up, learn about bends or even OBs, 
>and tootle away. Theory schmeary.
>
>In fact, it is downright embarrassing when I see a harp player unable to 
>choose the correct harmonica for a number or unable to follow the 
>changes if they vary from the standard 12-bar blues pattern. I am 
>alarmed by some of the notes harmonica players choose to play because 
>they don't understand the underlying chords. I regret that most harp 
>players can't write down what they play. If anyone is to learn their 
>stuff, it will be by rote.
>
>And, alas, as much as Little Walter influenced me as a blues player, as 
>unique as his playing was, as good as his gift was, he was handicapped 
>as a musician. Do you think it was a badge of pride for him that he 
>didn't know any music theory? Do you think he would recommend that young 
>musicians avoid learning music theory because it will make them better 
>players? Do you think he could have been an even better player if he had 
>had some training?
>
>I think that those of use who teach music have an obligation to ensure 
>that our students are equipped with the ability to read and write music. 
>If they plan on ensemble playing, they need to understand chords and 
>chord progressions. Personally, I will not accept any student who is 
>unwilling to learn the basics of music as well as the techniques of the 
>instrument he wants to learn. That includes harmonicas.
>
>
>Larry Marks