Re: [Harp-L] question?

[joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 16, 2010, at 4:11 PM, gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

> So harmonica players would get more respect if they read music?

No, not necessarily but in THIS particular case it may have been  
true. Inasmuch as the more 'studied' musicians have given me the vibe 
(s) that they feel that since they have paid their dues (so to speak)  
with years and years of study. Sort of like how people who went to  
college for a particular subject feel that they are either more  
qualified or whatever because of their dedication.

This is why the military tends to take college grads and send them to  
officers candidate school while a high school grads (like  
myself..only scant college) get to be grunts no matter WHAT their  
talent. Example: I was snorkeling at Trieste Italy in 1952 (age 10),  
scuba diving with the sea scouts in Naples (age 13), had SCADS of  
diving experience but when I went into the Seebees, I was an enlisted  
man. My immediate dive officer had a degree in history from a  
teacher's college. My life was on the line held by a Shemp.

> Then spend $50 on a portable keyboard.

I have one. Mine is slightly better.
> Your key of C harmonica plays the white keys--and those notes are  
> all in order on the staff! From low to high . . .
> Play them on one, then the other--so you will hear what you cannot  
> see on harmonica (but can on a keyboard).

I learned a different way. I learned to read by WRITING. Since I was  
always changing the keys from my Bb trumpet music (written in  
consideration of 2 flats), to C. Then I started re-writing that music  
in other keys. I used a 'cheat sheet'' to transpose..at the  
beginning. I eventually picked it up. I STILL don't read well as I  
play most everything I do in draw keys (D, F, Eb). So I switch  
harmonicas a it.
> When you change harmonicas, the location of the notes on the lines  
> and spaces changes, but not the relationship.
> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®