On Jun 8, 2010, at 8:38 PM, Mojo Red wrote:
Having to do with dividing harmonicas into divisions.
This was done most excellently tongue in cheek. To which I replied ALSO
tongue in cheek. And I hope everyone took it as such. But I have a few
things to submit that may or may not help explain the 'perceived'
division(s) in harpers. Remember, this is only an opinion. Ascertained
from years of ascertainment.
1... There seem to be some (remember, I said some) music readers whom
think that they are up a step when dealing with non music readers. This
is fine EXCEPT, I know readers who play with no feeling. Given a choice,
I prefer the one whom plays with feeling.
2... There are some (remember the some) players whom only play the C
chromatic and learn everything in every key on said chromo. To this end,
they feel they are up a step when dealing with people who play various
keys IN that key. While it IS true that most players who play other keys
DO do this, there are also players who use various keys IN various keys.
Winding up with a THIRD various key.
3... There are chromo players who feel that unless you are able to play
the melody, you are a step down. This is where there is a division
between chromo and diatonic players. Some chromo players feel that for
diatonic players to only comp., fill in, do runs & riffs, and in general
add flavor, are not as interesting as someone who can do the
'recognizable' melody. They feel that even the diatonic solos are only
improv. Even if the player can duplicate these solos, it is still improv.
4... Most chromo players (with exceptions) stay pretty much close to the
melody. And anyone who goes so far out into orbit so as to loose said
melody, are not good players, and therefore loose respect. While diatonic
players are better known for pushing the extreme edge of the world and
spend time balancing out over the edge, some getting very close to
falling off, most chromo players don't venture as far into the
netherworld.
5... Some chromo players are not impressed when someone plays diatonic,
claims to also play chromo, but only uses the chromo in the 3rd (Dm)
position. Using the excuse that Dm is the easiest key one can possibly
Play ON a chromo. Using the excuse that there is NO possible way to GET a
discord in Dm, and ANY mouth full of DRAW notes will work as the notes
all mesh melodically.
6... Some players (both chromatic and diatonic) feel that altered tunings
are 'cheating'. Their feeling is that YOU are playing something that you
PURPOSELY rigged in such a way that THEY can't duplicate it. Even if the
only reason you did it was to make it sound better. They still think they
are being 'slicked' (cheated).
7... There are players in both instruments that feel that their taste in
music is what they will listen to. Instead of being open minded, and
giving other music a chance. Why I remember a man leaving the hall when
'The Mooch' was played. Being a droning minor key arrangement, that (very
good chromo player), referred to it as 'Devil Music'.
As I said the other day, I think it's an age thing. Many of the older
players are set in their ways, and have developed a taste for music that,
may seem to some people, be frozen in time.
8... Some players see harmonicas as being male & female. Just as the
female it thought by many to be the 'newer improved' model, the older,
earlier to arrive diatonic is the male from which the chromatic sprung
almost 'rib like' onto the scene. To that end, some players see the
chromatic as the new improved model.
9... Remember, chromatics are like an apartment building. Each and every
note has a TRUE bone fide address. Some on the first floor (slide in).
some on the second (slide out). Some on this side of the hall (draw),
some on the opposite side (blow). But with a chromo. it is almost
impossible to get an address wrong. A diatonic is more like a rooming
house. Although you DO have apts/rooms for MOST of the notes, some have
no TRUE home and live a..in the laundry room, b..in the stair well, c..
in the utility/furnace room, d.. in the linen locker, e.. in the void in
the walls between apt 3 & 4 where the chimney and plumbing goes.
In other words, these are the notes where you (as the mail man) more or
less INVENTED an address FOR them in an effort to 'deliver their mail'.
Every note manufactured out of thin air has an address concocted out of
thin air.
Ergo, I feel diatonics are more difficult to master than chromatics. I
say this AS a (predominately) chromo player. So, in conclusion,
everything is going to work out fine as the chromo band keeps getting
smaller. The other day I said the dividing line is 64 years of age. 15
years ago, I would have said 49. Time marches on..be patient. There's no
reason for any (so called) divisions. Soon i will be a moot
point..........by attrition. :(
smokey-joe