Re: [Harp-L] question?

[Breno Carneiro <brenopbc@xxxxxxxxx>]

I thought this "sensitivity" about the selfdignity of the harmonica was
something peculiar to Brazil (where I live) and other countries with little
tradition of harmonica. As I can see even americans, very traditional
harmonica admires and players, have this issue... I guess it´s something
about the social image of the instrument: a prisioner´s istrument; a child´s
toy; a cowboy companion. More likely a "domestic" instrument rather than a
"real" instrument. Maybe it´s origin as a popular instrument (purposly
created for the masses) is a stigma carried throughout  the years... A
cheap, simple and limited musical instrument for popular music. I don´t care
much for that... It´s embarassing when people call it flute or whatever, but
rather than that I can live with it... People often get surprised when they
hear  complex pieces of music played on the harp, which is not such a bad
thing... being exotic has it´s advantages...

peace,

Breno

2010/10/15 Seth Galitzer <sethgali@xxxxxxxxx>

> Good point.  Besides, we're musicians, so we don't get any respect anyway,
> right?  Anybody else double on slide or nose whistle?  Where's the unity for
> players of those fine instruments?
>
> Seth
>
>
> On 10/15/2010 03:42 PM, Warren Bee wrote:
>
>> Why is there such a sensitivity amongst some in our harmonica world about
>> the respect level of the instrument? What exactly will this "respect"
>> change? Many people dig the harp and what it sounds like. That's why so
>> many
>> play and listen to many different styles of music on the harmonica. How
>> much
>> respect did disco get in the day? Not sure the Bee Gees and the rest of
>> 'em
>> really cared as they walked into the bank with the big checks to cash. Peg
>> O
>> My Heart was a big hit, did respect matter? The Adlers, Stan Harper, Tommy
>> Morgans and the like command respect with every note they play. Do the
>> Hammer Dulcimer people bitch all the time that their instrument gets no
>> respect? I respect people, not inanimate objects. Just my humble opinion
>> of
>> course :-).
>>
>> WB
>>
>>
> --
> Seth Galitzer
>
> The beatings will continue until morale has improved.
>