RE: [Harp-L] Harmonica within a larger Musical Framework wasRE:Summertime

["Bradford Trainham" <bradford.trainham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

First off, I agree with everything you just said...
But don't "guitar gods" often tend to do the same thing when let loose on an
unsuspecting audio-scape for a "solo"? 
Is there a flaw conceptually with the whole idea of a "solo"?  Or has
emphasis on individualism within, especially western culture brought the
idea of, the need for a telling solo to some unhealthy extreme? 
(I think I made more sense when I had a fever!!)
Brad Trainham
 

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Dan Berger
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 2:41 PM
To: IcemanLE@xxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica within a larger Musical Framework
wasRE:Summertime

Yes, Iceman,
> Most of what I've heard from harmonica players has been, get through 
> the "head" of the tune in some fashion and then let me show my stuff - 
> speed patterns, use of OB's, big vibrato, wah wah, hands waving in the
air, etc.
> Unfortunately, perhaps because of the lack of total musical education 
> and immersion, these solos can even move away from the chord changes, 
> sometimes  ignoring them in favor of harmonicaeee. (Since I clearly 
> hear chord changes and  am always striving to understand note choices 
> within this framework, a lot of  the offerings by harmonica players on 
> these types of tunes starts to sound slightly embarrassing and even a 
> bit illiterate to my educated musical  ears).
>
I see it as a loss of context.
The improvisation should relate to the "song".

You should have something to say, that relates to the "song".

That means listening to your bandmates and the "song"
that you are playing together.

Dan 

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