Re: [Harp-L] Chris Michalek... harmonica genius

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

To further explain, I wasn't referring to all blues players actually playing out of tune. The statement was mostly directed towards harmonica players. Blues harmonica bends reflect that moaning, wailing sound that is between notes, expressing emotion rather than pitch perfect notes. On just tuned harmonicas, a sustained 5 hole inhale sounds out of tune (flat), but it works within the idiom.


Also, as someone else pointed out, there is a broad spectrum of delta blues where slightly out of tune is a part of the idiom, including guitars that are not perfectly tuned.


My brevity inspired those of you with good imaginations to start to fill in the blanks with your own interpretations. All your comments are valid and this is a good exercise in conceptual explanation from your particular point of view. However, my comment is not absurd in the least. It just wasn't over explained. (Rob, did I really say "all players of this GENRE should NOT be very concerned about pitch"? This is your interpretation of my statement and not an accurate one, which surprises me as you are usually most astute).


Those that are only interested in blues do not have to be very concerned about perfect pitch of all notes (perhaps this is a better way to convey my idea?)  - they don't have to match a strobe tuner for dead on pitch. The emotion is more important. Charlie Musselwhite has played harmonicas that are slightly out of tune/pitch on many of his early recordings. Sounds good to me. On the other hand, guys like Rick Estrin play all their notes through bending technique mostly right on pitch, including 4 hole inhale 1/2 bend, all notes in 3 hole inhale, etc, and it sounds stellar to me. Doesn't make it not bluesy.


Anyways, the "L" has been devoid of any "flurry emotional responses" of late, so this was an exciting little pick me up. Thanks to all who participated (and are, perhaps, waiting to).





-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Paparo.net>
Statements like this are absurd, come on Iceman you are a Tuning expert, you should know better!!,-) ALL Musicians MUST play in tune...unfortunately the idiom was created by blues guitar guys who didn't have tuners....but to say all players of this GENRE should NOT be very concerned about pitch is just ridiculous!