Re: [Harp-L] tone and electronics

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 "John F. Potts" wrote:
<Johnnie Harp opines:
<
<Bottom-line, why should a player care what their acoustic tone is, IF  
<they play through electronics in any case, and end up with the  
<desired result through their customary rig?
<
<Because the best  electronic effects RESPOND to a player's technique  
<(in this regard, I usually think of delay and /or reverb as part of  
<the sound reinforcement, not effects).  If a MicroPog, for example,  
<is set properly, it will vary the sound produced depending on  
<variations in breath pressure, attack, size of oral resonance  
<chamber, etc.  Same thing with a good phaser pedal or a good envelope  
<follower and also true (but much less so) with a RotoSim.  So, used  
<properly, electronics are not merely sound effects but EXTENSIONS of  
<playing technique.  it's a trial and error thing, but if you get the  
<right harmonica friendly pedals and set them up correctly, it can be  
<almost like playing another instrument.
<
<BUT, to do this, a player needs decent acoustic tone, decent breath  
<technique and good mic handling (cupping) technique.

Truer words was never spoke.  In particular, playing through heavy electronics is very much like playing a different instrument--one that happens to have a harmonica for a controller.

Electronics are fun, and thanks to modern chip-driven technologies they're relatively inexpensive too.  But in the end, the single thing that matters most is the sound you get straight out of the harmonica.  If you can't make somebody get up and dance or sit down and cry with nothing but a harp in your hand, something's wrong.

Regards, Richard Hunter

author, "Jazz Harp"
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
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