Re: [Harp-L] Re: Relaxing while playing

[joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>

There is a further aspect that I (also) would like to mention. I call  
it 'diatonic revelations'. In the ever present discussions about the  
difference(s) between diatonics and chromatics, I had come to the  
conclusion  long time ago that one can have more revelations with a  
diatonic. Let me explain (if I CAN).

Now I don't know how other people practice but, there are players who  
are primarily diatonic players who also play 'some' chromatic. There  
are also diatonic players who play some chromatic, but mostly in 3rd  
position (Dm). Then there are players who play mostly chromatic and  
'some' diatonic. Then there are those who play only one of these...or  
BOTH nearly equally.

So, a player is practicing and comes up with a really really nice  
run, riff, or string of notes. Or maybe even a different sound. This  
usually occurs with a diatonic. Inasmuch as a lot of the notes have  
to be (for lack of a better word) 'Invented'. I don't know what  
others would do, but I have this creepy suspicion that they do the  
same thing I do. When I have one of these revelations, I usually jump  
up from my desk chair (in the garage, next to the water tank..lolol),  
and yell out some crude explative. Like: "YEAH, #$%^^&*)(*, THAT's  
right, that's what I'm talking about.". Then I walk around the garage  
and wonder how I did that.

I don't get that with chromatic. With a chromo, you already have all  
the notes. Nothing has to be a product of YOU. How you stretch the  
notes or time them is about all you have to work with. You don't get  
to breath and give life to the notes in the same way that you MUST  
with a diatonic. Therefore, when having an epiphany on a diatonic,  
you get a sense of pride/accomplishment, call it what you will. Now  
all this can help your ego/give satisfaction, call that what you will  
also.

So what you wind up with is 'Comfortability'. Comfortability and the  
feeling that you CAN do what you want to on a harmonica can be a  
major step in RELAXING. No reason to tense up.

smo-joe