Re: [Harp-L] Casual Harmonica players...

[Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I still have a big problem with musicians who think of the harmonica as 
a toy noisemaker that doesn't need practice. I am constantly amazed at 
the high regard in which perfectly miserable players (who should know 
better) are held.

For example, a bluesman whom I otherwise respect greatly is John Mayall. 
Mr. Mayall cannot or does not want to play harmonica. In any event, he 
shouldn't.

That having been said, I agree that many harmonica players, with their 
inferiority complex switched on full, play far too much. Inferiority 
complex? Sure. I suffer from it as well. I know that our instrument is 
regarded as a toy by many and I feel the constant need to prove that it 
is a real instrument. I have to work hard to keep myself from playing 
too much.

  -LM

Benoît FELTEN wrote:
> I asked myself why these guys' playing appealed to me. And I think the
> reason is intent. Too often maybe, a harmonica player feels obliged to play
> something because, after all, he's the harp player. And while that something
> may sound good and be played with great chops, it doesn't always add to the
> song. When these guys whip the harp out, it's because it's the right thing
> to play for this particular song at this particular moment. I dunno, it's
> just a theory, but that's how I feel it.
>