Re: [Harp-L] Re: Dumping on other harmonica players' videos

[Shelly <shelly0112@xxxxxxxxx>]

I am certainly not trying to extend this topic beyond reason.  Nor am I
trying to irritate anyone (though I am occasionally capable of doing that
without trying).

Brief points:
1.  I'm new, so if this was discussed exhaustively in the past I was not
around for that.
2.  While examples of inexperienced playing can be instructive there is a
big difference between pointing out inexperience and making fun of a
person.  If making fun of a person is your thing then expect some of us to
rush to their defense.  "Dumping" on a person is not something that everyone
enjoys or tolerates well.
3.  This conversation has remained pretty civil, all things considered.  I
don't know why so many people try to declare it "closed" after they have
expressed their opinion.  I am sure if the list-owner sees the conversation
get out of hand they will officially close it.  Until then I appreciate
hearing from those who have thoughts about this issue.
4.  Making fun of someone who is dead is simply crass.

Shelly      (Martin, I appreciate the tip about drinking.  Maybe it will
improve my playing too!)



On Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 7:38 AM, martin oldsberg
<martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> >Martin made a comment earlier about wondering why would we think  it'd be
> a
> >good thing to promote the playing of harmonica among children and  I see
> >this as part of the same discussion:  Because - with new players of  any
> genre
> >coming along - showing interest in harmonica, buying instruments as  they
> >develop their interest, keeps harmonica companies in business which in
> turn
> >helps YOU (and all of us) still have access to the instruments we hope to
> >keep  playing. If for no other reason than pure selfishness, it behooves
> us to
> >welcome  new players.
>
> This last sentence is agreeable.
>   It also behooves new players to make an effort on the instrument. But if
> they don´t, as I said, I won´t kill them, but just possibly, just
> possibly, may make the random comment on a harmonica debating list about
> peoples playing, if they feel the need to publish their attempts. (Not very
> fond of the expression "dumping", though, touch of vulgarity there, but
> maybe I´m missing the finer points?)
>   They can handle that if they can make their efforts available to the
> general public.
>   Otherwise, don´t publish. It´s no law of nature that you shall put up
> bad/mediocre stuff on Youtube, just because you can. As a demonstration of a
> work in progress it may have it´s interest and instructional value, and then
> you can announce that.
>   Beside the point but: My own playing is pretty damned un-impressive. If I
> make a Youtube video at some point -- please butcher me then! -- it will be
> to illustrate the frustrations of still being un-impressive after all these
> years and what you can do about it. (Drinking helps, I´ve found.)
>
> That a reason for "welcoming new players" should be that harmonica
> companies then will be "kept in business" is rather far from my horizon, I
> confess. I build no harmonicas, but I wish them success in building better
> and less expensive harmonicas.
>   New players should of course be welcomed -- but they should also, IMO, be
> made aware that all instruments make demands on those who practise them --
> even the harmonica.
>   That will raise the standards of playing. Raised standards of playing is
> a good thing. The world needs another crappy harmonica player just as much
> as it needs another "Terminator" movie.
>
>   THis has echoes of a debate from some yrs ago, the topic pretty exhausted
> then, and I won´t comment anymore.
>
>   Cheers,
>   Martin
>
>   BTW, I recognize no "harmonica community".
>
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