Re: [Harp-L] Re: Positions etc.

[Cljdm@xxxxxxx]

Hi all,
 
I am in total agreement with Steve's first original post on this  subject. 
Mainly because it reaffirms   my approach to playing  harmonica. "Effortless 
Mastery" is a book (as mentioned before on this list)  that has helped me with 
this approach. Steve's first post I thought was very  valuable, especially for 
trained musicians.
 
That being said knowing some theory and musical mechanics can only help in  
the long term. At first it is almost like you do not even want to know. Kinda  
inhibiting? Perhaps  because it might challenge what I already  think I know. 
I also have a fantastically BAD memory, and it is very hard for me  to retain 
details. Most of the theory I use is remembered from playing clarinet  and sax 
as a kid. I know enough to know it is valuable  knowledge, and it  especially 
helps when playing with other musicians. I also have learned a lot  about 
theory on this. Thank you.
 
When I pick up my harp I  use my  theory knowledge, but  play from the heart 
developing my own style. Some nights I come off better than  others (like 
anyone I guess). I like to say there are many secrets in our  little ten hole 
instrument, and the vibrations of the reeds are revealing  these secrets to me 
with time, and of course practice.
 
Just some thang  personal, 
 
Chris Mastakas
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 3/15/2009 8:11:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Zwi,  thanks for a great post with many insightful observations. If we  
all  functioned the same way I guess it would work for everyone.  
Trouble  is, to grasp any language you need a degree of affinity with  
it and  some are blessed with more than others. As a native English  
speaker  I moved to Germany aged 23 and was fortunate enough to be  
able to  learn the language without formal instruction or prior  
knowledge to  the point where I not only speak it fluently but also  
write  professionally (though I'll never lose my English accent).  
However,  my talent for the language of mechanical things is so  
limited that  I'll probably never learn to mend a fence. The simplest  
and most  obvious things in this area present me with alarming  
difficulties.  The language of music may likewise be easier for one  
person to grasp  than for  another,

Steve
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