Re: [Harp-L] the melodious gg speaks on OBs

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

Underneath all of Chris' cosmic verbiage and RDempster comments live  two 
philosophies - and the universe is big enough to hold these two and many  more 
without one trying to convince the other that one reigns  supreme.
 
Chris has always chosen the path less traveled and espouses "free  thinking" 
in approaching harmonica. That is all well and good for some, but many  are 
not ready to hear these messages until they travel the more well worn paths  of 
others.
 
Rick has chosen the path that has been established and has plenty of rest  
stops on route.
 
In my experience, the student will reveal to the receptive teacher which  
path they prefer - subject to change at any point by self discovery. It is the  
art of the teacher to read the signs and feed the student a balanced diet - 
what  they need to remain healthy - at the same time keeping the carrot just 
ahead of  the horse to perpetuate the forward momentum. An occasional misdirection 
and  "outside the box" snack is tossed in to feed the spiritual soul. If the 
student  goes for it, this can lead to a less traveled road.
 
The best teachers remain neutral in the face of a student. The focus  should 
be on the student.
 
The best teachers have the ability to work inside or outside the box and  the 
ability to read the student's comfort level.
 
The best teachers adapt individually to their students, once having set a  
solid foundation of generic topics/techiques/understandings. The best teacher  
moves his/her individual ego or agenda out of the way - after all, it's about  
the student, isn't it?
 
(Disclaimer - "the best" is subjective, and the above quotes contain what  
I've found to be most effective in seeking out teachers and in becoming  one).
 
That being said, I also believe that OB/OD's that sound good are much more  
difficult to achieve than the other techniques that produce notes through reed  
stressing. I'd never put a beginner in this frustrating position until he  
thoroughly understands how to get a good controlled note created through  
traditional bending techniques.
 
Finally, to those of you who have commented about how hard they've tried to  
learn the OB technique - don't try so hard. The term "Over Blow" seems to  
suggest blowing harder. It is not about force, but about focused and targeted  
breath direction and finesse. Try to see how quietly you can approach this  
challenge. 
 
The Iceman





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