Re: [Harp-L] advanced?

[Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

First of all, having taught numerous professional seminars, I concur 
completely with Joe's assessment. I did make a practice of talking out 
of class to attendees who were in over their heads. And for those who 
did not understand, I had to develop ways to keep them from being 
disruptive.

As to an advanced player, my criteria would be a little different from 
Jim's.

To me, the main criterion is the technical ability to play any given 
passage of music. This includes music that falls outside the blues 
I-IV-V pattern of changes.

I can't see how one could do that without overbending, valve-assisted 
bends or the ability to switch harmonicas pretty damn fast. There's lots 
of music out there, even blues music, which requires use of one of the 
five tones you can't otherwise play regardless of what position you pick.

BTW, although distinctly not offended, I am not particularly proficient 
in third position and use it rarely.

But the point of this isn't what Jim thinks or what I think. It 
demonstrates that a good part of the problem is our differing views as 
to what makes an advanced player. Jim and I might not be happy in each 
other's advanced workshop.

I think we would all suffer less disappointment if the purveyor of the 
course were to describe in some detail what the prospective attendee 
needs to know and should expect to accomplish.

But many seminar instructors are afraid to provide a tight course 
description because they fear prospective students might be scared off. 
Or they may feel that offering a seriously advanced workshop will result 
in insufficient attendance.

Don't know what to say about that; however, an instructor who wastes my 
time should not expect to find me, my friends or my students (yes, I 
teach) in future courses.


Hope I didn't offend anyone either,

-LM