RE: Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Harp Dream (this is as real as it gets)

["John Balding" <John.Balding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was unaware that Abner had little experience on the harmonica. Nothing
in his post alludes to that. I'm not denying it; I'm just saying that my
post was made under the assumption that he at least knew his way around
the instrument. Given that he "found" a harmonica while in pitch-black
dark and unconscious, I figured that he must play fairly often or the
harp wouldn't had been that readily available.

 

Given what you say is fact, and responding to your question of how I
would explain his new-found ability in light of this, I would have to
say that we have a prodigy in our midst. Whether one is asleep, awake,
under the influence of...well...anything, suddenly displaying fluency on
a hitherto alien instrument is a sign that there is something amazing
happening! 

 

Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones stated in an interview once that
the hook for Satisfaction came to him in his sleep. He always slept with
a recorder beside the bed in case he had an idea for lyrics, etc. He
said that he doesn't remember doing it, but sometime in the night he
switched the machine on and recorded those ten notes that now live in
infamy. He woke up the next morning and there they were. Granted,
Richards was a seasoned guitarist and songwriter by that time, but I
think the point supports the theme of my post: the mind works day and
night to "make true" what you commit to. This is why it is so important
not to keep saying to one's self "I'll never get that lick!" or "I'll
never be able to play this thing!" You might wake up one morning and
find that your mind has made it so.

 

Getting back to the nature of my original response and the harp
relevancy of this thread, I still maintain my views and opinions on the
subconscious mind's ability to process information and solve minor
musical conundrums. I found Abner's story both amusing and deeply
motivating. I believe that we all "have it in us". Some people are just
better at finding their avenue for release than others. Even those who
say they "have no rhythm" have a heartbeat. They have rhythm, they just
haven't found out how to tap into it yet. Abner proved without question
that his mind possessed enough knowledge of the instrument and ability
to link notes into a logical progression to allow his body (mouth and
lungs) to produce the end result effortlessly.

 

For all the new harp players reading this thread, I hope that they come
away from it with the idea that you need not practice to the point of
frustration. Nor should you doubt yourself at any point in your journey
down the Harp Road. It will happen. As sure as the sun rises in the
morning, your light will one day shine. For some, sooner, for some,
later. Your "moment" has already been chosen. It is up to you to
discover it. 

 

Cheers! Here's to Abner "Blues in the Dark" Galdos!

 

John Balding

Tallahassee, FL

 

________________________________

From: EGS1217@xxxxxxx [mailto:EGS1217@xxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 2:32 PM
To: John Balding
Cc: cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Harp Dream (this is as real as it gets) 

 

A lot of what you say makes sense, John...the subconscious mind is an
amazing thing....but the only factor you might not have figured in is
that Abner doesn't play harmonica ...or at least is brand new to the
instrument...so in effect, is saying he played 'under the influence' of
pain meds while believing he was asleep, in a way he had absolutely no
knowledge of in real time.  His wife said he actually did this ...while
in effect 'sleepwalking'...So it wasn't a matter of any 'lick' which had
been escaping him for months, but something he previously had no
knowledge of how to do at all...

 

NOW how would you explain this new-found ability? <G>

 

...because I'd sure like some of it. :)

 

Elizabeth

 

P.S.  I somehow suspect the neck brace in playing a part.  I too was
forced to wear one after severely injuring my neck prior to a surgeon
trying to push me into the very same surgery Abner's recovering from.
I'm a much bigger chicken than he is....I half-seriously told my doctor
I'd give permission if he could mold my neck into the proper chromatic
playing position...(he wasn't amused). I found another much more
conservative surgeon and recovered without surgery...but do remember
falling asleep wearing the brace at times constricted blood vessels (and
breathing) sufficiently enough to cause strange dreams even without the
opiates....

 

(snipped)

 

"I know that this sounds like voodoo mumbo-jumbo, but I really believe
that it happens. I think that this is what happened in Abner's dream.
His mind clicked and he began playing all of those tunes he had been
working on, but never quite figured out while he was awake. I bet if he
had a recording of it, he would have said: "I've been trying to get that
lick for months!"

John Balding
Tallahassee, FL 

 

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