Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] a summation



I don't want to make this about Robert Bonfiglio, especially since he is on the list (it's kinda like talking about someone when he's standing next to you).

My point was not to say that you should only stick to one genre nor imply that being a pro in one genre precluded you from being good in other genres. I was simply commenting on the inference that because Robert's classical playing was at the top he *should* pursue other genres.

(And I kinda guessed it was in joking, but at the same time I hear this "this guy can play anything" meme so often that I wanted to react...)

In my experience (and according to my ears - I am, admittedly, a tough customer to please...), musicians who are at the top of their game in one particular genre don't tend to shine in other genres, especially genres which have strong musical identities. There are exceptions (and I have yet to hear Bernie Worrel's Tocatta and Fugue in Dm) but as a rule, you will only convince people who are more than passing listeners of a genre by clocking many hours of playing in that genre and interacting with musicians who *get* the particular idiosyncrasies of that genre.

To pick another example, while I - as a novice in things classical - find it thrilling that Bela Fleck can play Bach on the banjo, I'm not convinced that classical buffs would see anything but a novelty in it. And I don't think it's insulting to Bela to say that. He's effectively dabbling in classical - prodigious though his musical abilities are - not pursuing it seriously.

Benoit
But Ben:
You're assuming he has no prior experience in those other genres....
Robert has long played blued diatonics...even done so on a SPAH stage. Just because one's main focus is one particular genre should not preclude a harmonica player from other styles, should it? I think use of the word 'dilettante' is a quite unfortunate choice on a list such as this which is primarily to promote the harmonica, not encapsulate us into neat little categories. For my part I play all sorts of styles and genres which appeal to me and won't be forced into limiting myself just to one because somebody decides for the rest of us that's how he thinks it's supposed to be. While your premise might have some truth for 'some' musicians, it's most likely because they're simply not talented enough to carry off the sound they're attempting to play...not because their main focus is another genre. Would you have given the same unsolicited advice quite so freely to Miles Davis or Bob Marley, had either decided to switch his main musical focus to Classical? I had the privilege of attending Robert's seminar at the Grand Canyon. He also celebrated a big birthday there with a special concert 'party', afterwards, where he 'got down' with his band. It's as far removed from his 'tie and tails' onstage Philharmonic persona as you can imagine, and in fact they issued a CD called "Harmonica America" with guest star Phoebe Snow. One shouldn't ever jump to conclusions about musicians...something I've learned just from being on harp-l.
Elizabeth
"Message: 14
Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:32:35 +0100
From: "Ben FELTEN [ML]" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] a summation
To: jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx



> 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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