Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica : a popular and ubiquitous instrument

["Drew Ross" <spiritualpersonality@xxxxxxxxx>]

Nicely put. There is a false honor (in my opinion) about how hard it is to
approach an instrument, that you're cool if a newbie can't even make the
thing sound like anything. One of the things that I love the most about the
harmonica is what I will call its transparency, meaning that it will
transmit exactly the emotion and color that you give it. Perhaps that's
ultimately true for all instruments, but players can hide a bit behind
technique in the guitar, fake emotion, fake pain. In my opinion, harps tell
no lies. In a very real way, you are the instrument.

I submit that, our frequent protestations here notwithstanding, the
> harmonica, especially the 10-hole diatonic, is actually one of the more
> popular instruments in Western culture.  Consider how often one hears it in
> movies & TV soundtracks, commercials, and, of course, pop, blues, rock and
> other music.  Producers love it, for a number of obvious reasons.
>
> Perhaps our (harp-players') jaundiced sense of ignominy born by the
> 20-dollar-toy (now $30!) is driven more by our experience with bands' and
> other musicians' common apprehension at the appearance of the little
> devils.  Can't blame ém, often they are not well played, including by me
> sometimes, for example!  But many instances of fine playing are heard in our
> media streams all the time, often in the background or as filligree, often
> in the foreground too.
>
> Given the harp's small size and range of applications, it stars
> everywhere.  I say it's truly a popular instrument that needs no defense,
> just some practiced use.   SO THERE!
>
> -Dave "No I'm not being defensive!" Fertig
>