Re: [Harp-L] RE: What makes a "good" player?

[Pic2318834@xxxxxxx]

To my friends and family I am good, to may pro harp teacher I am just  ok?
I still think that what you ask is too subjective a question.  What  makes 
a good player to me is people you play too think your good.  It seems  
simple, they like to hear you play.  You are good then.  No?  I  am not a pro but 
I think I can play pretty good.  What makes a pretty good  player?  Anyway 
interesting topic.
Respectively
Pic
 
 
In a message dated 11/26/2009 4:21:22 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:


So  as to not be accused of quoting out of context, two entire quotes are 
below  what I write. If I've misunderstood something, please forgive me.
I  certainly agree with Elizabeth's caveat: 
"> It's all in one's  interpretation of what good is."
But isn't that ALWAYS true, no matter what  is being defined?
John's ending definition of a "good player" is:
>  What makes a good player? Is the person having fun? That to me makes a 
good  player.........Johnny
To which definition, Elizabeth "couldn't agree  more."
Have exercised caution to this point, I now throw caution to the  winds and 
respectfully disagree with this "definition." By it, my 19-month old  
granddaughter is a "good player"-she certainly does have fun honking on a  
harmonica! She al;so figured out (on her own) that there are blow AND draw  notes. 
However, I suspect even John and Elizabeth would agree that she is NOT  a 
"good player" by definition, even though she does meet the stringent  
requirement given. (At the least, as a proud grandfather, I have no  expectations 
that she will be amazing SPAH audiences until after she turns 2  years old!)
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own  
facts."Daniel Patrick Moynihan
There must be some set of criteria (other  than SOLELY personal opinion) by 
which one can determine and attribute "good"  (which admittedly has several 
shades of subjectivity attached) to a particular  player's attempts to play 
harmonica. Perhaps this is what triggered Maestro  Bonfiglio's response 
recently.
So, other than simply "having fun", what is  an acceptable set of criteria 
for defining "good" (as in a "good player")?  Would a dictionary definition 
of "good" have any merit whatsoever? (Nah, not  in today's "PC" world; 
that's why I drive an iMac.)
Regards,Crazy (but not  insane; look up the definitions in Webster's)  Bob
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Elizabeth  (in response to John [below]):>  > Couldn't agree more. A 'good' 
 player is one who plays because the music
> is inside and needs to get  out, plays cleanly, makes pleasant music 
people
> are happy to listen to  and want to hear more of...he/she doesn't have to 
have
>  expertise.
>
> Perhaps his description is more applicable to a  'pro' or 'expert' player?
>
> It's all in one's interpretation of  what good is. I'd be quite happy to
> simply be considered good. I'm not  looking to be either a pro or an 
expert.
>
> Thanks for your down  to earth post (still catching up after GSHC)... :)
>
>  Elizabeth
>
John:>
> My friend Frank Franz says... Having a  PROFOUNDLY solid EFFORTLESS
> unadulterated EXPERTISE- in musical  FUNDAMENTALS makes a good player.
> I disagree. I know harp players who  have none of that and, in my
> opinion, and to many of my peers, sound  fabulous. Sometimes I read all
> the harp-l e-mails and I think, what  the hell are they talking about?
> Double overblows, triple tongue  blocking ect. ect. Some of the folks
> on this page get way to wrapped  up in this kind of stuff. Just get out
> there and have some fun with  this little 10 holed jem. For the new
> players who read the harp-l  pages, I suggest you listen to your
> favorite players and practice  there licks and before you realize it,
> you will be coming up with  licks of your own. What makes a good
> player? Is the person having fun?  That to me makes a good
> player.........Johnny
>


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