Re: [Harp-L] SPAH convention vs. Jon Gindick jam camp

[Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 6, 2010, at 11:48 AM, Chris Michalek wrote:

> with each person on a individual level so I'm not some guy who is sitting
> there preaching about what to do, I actually show you how to be a better you
> rather than a lesser me.

I can speak to this first hand.  Chris is a very kind and patient teacher.  He spent a lot of time with me a couple of SPAHs ago trying to help me learn how to OB.  But even that was an off-shoot from a couple of hours in a small group working on 11th and 12th positions with TJ Klay as rhythm section.  As good as Chris is, he's not unique at Joe's SPAH teach-ins.  I can honestly say that all the teachers are great.

Back to the Convention vs. Jam Camp discussion, they're structurally different.  At SPAH No one tells you how to spend your time.  There's no follow PATH X and you'll become a "Y" in four days.  Attendees are presented with many choices and have the ability to pick and choose.  For example, on Saturday Howard Levy was teaching a course on what he does and Paul Davies was teaching a course on using two harmonics to mix chording a lead playing.  I knew I would see Howard at his performance later that day and opted for Paul's seminar because that's what I was interested in learning to do.

My impression after three conventions is that people are fun, generous, and kind, but tend to be very intense. Everyone is there to pack as much harmonica and harmonica people into the week as possible.  Yeah there's a certain amount of showing off, but even that is pretty cool.  So you have to make a point of meeting people.  Once you get over that hump, man there's no limit to the fun, camaraderie, and teaching.  I think that is what differentiates SPAH from masterclasses and jam camps.

Bob