Re: [Harp-L] Unsubscribed or Harp Sabbatical?

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 10/18/08 9:12:37 AM, harmonika13@xxxxxxxxx writes:


> Just wondering, is everyone just busy wood-shedding on their harps and too 
> busy to post or did I get unsubscribed?
> 

Based on my (now long) experience on the Harp List and guitar and piano 
lists, the typical pattern is for someone to start a new topic such as (1) What 
kind of hat to wear to a gig (2) how to "break-in" a new harp (3) do comb 
materials affect the sound (4) what are the harp positions and the discussion is off 
and running. Sometimes new data is added, but mostly it is the same old 
arguments. And they go on forever and ever and ever and ever and ever. And then 
without resolve, they die.

I was not present at the founding of Harp List, but I've been around several 
years. So have others. The group is not constant; new people are dropping in 
and out all the time. Every time a group of new people arrive, they have their 
own questions (many of which have been answered before). Which is not to say 
their questions have no value but that the answers are available in the 
archives -- and they are frequently directed there. 

Nowadays the <http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l> at the
bottom of each Harp-L   post directs anyone to the Harp List Home Page 
(archives are just a click away). That makes it easier than ever to look up stuff. 

Like all military barracks (remember them?) and college dorm room discussions 
(BS sessions) these things (arguably) go on forever and never come to a 
conclusion. Except in the rare case of the harp positions: after much meandering 
debate it was pointed out the modern convention for harp positions is to use the 
Circle of Fifths. Few other topics were so easily concluded.

I think the great Doug Tate pointed out the cyclical nature of news group 
lists. Periodically, Harp List goes through the same topics for a second or third 
time around. Witness the comb materials discussion recently, or how come 
Brand (insert name) makes such crappy harps (combs)? Why can't they make them like 
they used to? Why were pre-World War II harps so great?

Most of these topics have no final answers, only more questions. And the fact 
that there are no   final answers prompts another round of argument about the 
reasons for that.

One of the most fun things is watching those lacking any sense of irony or 
perspective immediately assuming ANY comment or discussion about their revered 
(1) harp hero (2) harp pioneer (3) favorite player must be constructed as an 
attack and therefore viciously defended.

 Harp List was started in 1992 and has had time for two sabbaticals: they 
occur every 7 years in the U.S. university system allowing the profs a year for 
rest & relaxation and further study.
So it may be sabbatical time for some.

Now if you remember things differently, good for you.   Offer your own take. 
But keep in mind I'm offering a fair and balanced account of what has happened 
-- losely based on my nearly 40 years in journalism. I'm not taking sides for 
or against, I'm just trying to state what has happened. Don't assume I am 
being pejorative because I recount the above chronology. I take the Doug Tate 
perspective: Let 'em all talk and see what they have to say.

Cheers!

Keep on harpin

Phil Lloyd





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