[Harp-L] Define terms fluid = legato

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

All this discussion about whether the diatonic is more "fluid" than the 
chromatic? True, the diatonic offers the chance to hit more pitchy notes (or 
non-notes) just like the slide trombone than the chromatic. 

((Both harps are equally fluid -- it all depends on the player. The 
unspoken issue here is "bendability." The diatonic has more bends, therefore it 
musts be more "fluid." (Playing the diatonic without bends is not fluid?) The 
extreme example of this bendability are the large number of diatonic players 
who play notes flat or sharp or even between notes. Talk about fluid 
playing. And just to prove they are skilled, they mix them up. Half flat, half 
flat, half between notes, fast, slow and half fast.))   There is a term for 
these "between notes" it's called noise.

The unspoken issue here is that the diatonic is "more fluid" because it has 
more than a half-step bend on a few holes.

Just because you can get three bends on hole 3 draw and two bends on draw 
two does not make the playing any more "fluid."

To further complicate matters, Moses diatonic players don't even know how a 
chromatic works -- but they are damn sure they hate it and that it is 
impossible to play.

Back in the day, most chromatic players graduated from diatonic to 
chromatic "so they didn't have to worry about all those missing notes." They can't 
bend notes on a diatonic and are damn sure they don't want to waste their 
time figuring it out -- it would only be a waste of time.

Then there is a third group that plays both chromatic and diatonic and 
can't understand why these two groups can't understand how the other harp works.

The term wanted here is legato: (smooth, flowing manner, without breaks 
between the notes).

It is possible to play legato on any instrument. Piano legato anyone?

Didn't Tommy Reilly perfect legato while playing blow-draw patterns?

Also, there are no absolutes. There will always be someone who is the 
exception to the rule (conventional wisdom) and pretty soon a whole bunch of 
people are following in his footsteps.

Phil











In a message dated 7/6/10 10:01:08 AM, bon@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
(snip)
> 
> BTW, someone mentioned they like the fluidity of the diatonic over the 
> chromatic and the opposite is why I don't like the diatonic in 
> classical music, because it lacks the articulation, clearness and even 
> tonal quality of notes through the registers.  Kind of like speaking 
> with only vowel sounds and no consonants.  So I strive for clarity in 
> my playing always.
> 
> I do feel Toots plays with fluidity on chromatic on the ballads!!!
> 
> 
> Harmonically yours,
> 
> Robert
> http://www.robertbonfiglio.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
>