Re: [Harp-L] Is Howard Levy the most technically advanced harmonica play

[michael rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Lots of responders to this thread seem to think technique is a synonym
for theoretical understanding. IMO, Hearing a lick, transcribing it to
paper, player a harmonica lick on piano,
playing it backwards, transcribing licks to 12 keys and changing a
major to minor or placing the song in another musical context are not
techniques.  However, Randy mentioned, playing these ideas with great
clarity IS technique.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 9:25 AM, Randy Singer <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> michael,
> I respectfully disagree with you. I have spent a lot of time with howard at
> my house, at various locations, and although I LOVE the other harmonica
> players you mention I will give you my two cents.
> From a strictly technical standpoint, howard could, if asked (i believe)
> play any lick, head or riff from ANY of those harmonica players you
> mentioned, including myself. He could then transcribe it on paper and then
> play it on piano. He could also probably play it backwards or thematically
> deconstruct it and play their licks in all 12 keys in either major or minor
> or any other world musical idiom.
> Hearing some of howard riffs, runs and compositions (have you heard his
> concerto which is mind blowing), i sincerely doubt any of us can play
> howard's most advanced compositions with equal clarity.
> I may be wrong but I am sticking to my harps on this one for now. Howard is
> the technical king by far.
> but does it really matter who is the most "technical"? Not
> really........what matters is what you love, not who is most technical.
> randy
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> As far as I am concerned, living diatonic players like James Cotton,
> Rick Estrin, Kim Wilson, Joe Filisko, Charlie Musselwhite, Charlie
> McCoy, Gruenling, Ricci, Del Junco, Michalek, Power, Gazell and many
> others equal or surpass Levy's technical ability. They may not use
> the same techniques that Levy does, but the amount of techniques they
> have mastered are equal or greater than Levy's amounts. If, as i've
> listed for Howard's strengths, pleasing tone is technical ability,
> many of these players are also equal or greater than Levy.
>
> Randy Singer
> randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 954.422.5888  office/cell
> 954.929.7733  cell only
> Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEYha-oALw4
> http://www.youtube.com/user/Randysinger
>
>
>