Re: [Harp-L] a summation

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

This sounds like the really old argument that a musician must decide 
between playing jazz-blues-pop   and classical. When in truth, many of the younger 
generation of musicians play and excel at both. 
That's the general observation.

The specific observation is that Robert started out on the blues harp, 
before his extensive formal training in the classical field. Furthermore, Robert 
frequently plays blues harp for his encores at his classical performances.
 

The only thing preventing Robert from "cover(ing)   the works of the 
Neville Brothers, George Clinton, and Jimmy Cliff" is time -- not talent, not the 
ability to work in Another Genre -- the time to work up a program, just as 
he does for his classical concerts. Judging by what I can see of his 
schedule, Robert is probably too busy concertizing to make room in his schedule for 
a side trip into these other genres.

Hope this helps clear up this matter
Phil Lloyd



In a message dated 12/8/09 1:33:50 PM, lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> 
> > Some of us are hoping Robert will take a break from classical music to 
> cover
> > the works of the Neville Brothers, George Clinton, and Jimmy Cliff.
> >  
> And, with all due respect to Robert, some of us are not.
> 
> Playing in other musical genres might not require the same rigour, but
> it does require other talents and experience in these genres.
> 
> There seems to be a myth going around that a sufficiently talented
> musician can play anything, but my ears and heart tell me that's just
> not true. It's particularly blatant with improvised music where it's not
> just a matter of playing but very much of creating as you play. But it's
> also true of genres where improvisation is less nototious. I don't think
> *any* classical musician can play Reggae like a Kingston native or Funk
> like a New Orleans original.
> 
> I'm not talking about musical determinism: you can become a convincing
> Reggae or Funk musician no matter where you come from by devoting years
> to practice and touring in these genres, until the music is second
> nature to you. You can't just turn to these styles as a dilettante and
> hope to do anything more than a poor imitation.
> 
> I don't have any advice to give to Robert, but I think he should focus
> on the musical genre he has made his career in and where his talent has
> brought him well deserved success and leave Reggae, Funk and other
> styles to other musicians more willing to embrace these with a passion.
> 
> Benoit
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