Re: [Harp-L] Winslow Yerza

[Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

steve miner wrote:
> I think the switching to harmonica for the part was simply a hook to get it on the radio at the time. I also felt that he was making a musical statement that diatonic harp was cheap, and not a real form, In other words his royal interpretation was done on chromatic because it cost more to buy the instrument.
I remember Little Stevie Wonder, 5 years old, playing the chromatic. He 
has always played the chromatic. It was his first instrument, even 
preceding the drums. It is natural that he would put a harmonica part in 
his music.

I respect Mr. Wonder because he is an excellent musician. I also happen 
to like a lot of his work. I heard him on a recent Tony Bennett album. 
Both singing and playing, he really nailed it. While I do not spend a 
lot of time listening to Tony Bennett, I respect good musicians whatever 
they choose to play.

Personally, I prefer the diatonic-as-chromatic. I play a lot of jazz 
with it. I just love the sound of  a diatonic. Although I learned to 
play one, I think of the chromatic as an entirely different instrument - 
as different as a trombone.

 -LM