Re: [Harp-L] Re: SPAH convention -- Asia popularity

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Maybe it's a deeply cultural aesthetic. Don't forget the harmonica has it's roots in Asian culture: the Sheng, in China; the Sho (dunno about the spelling) in Japan, the Khen in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.
They like the sound of the free reed, I believe.
RD

>>> <Philharpn@xxxxxxx> 9/09/2010 2:34 >>>
There has to be something else going on here to explain why all these Asian 
kids and young people flock to the harmonica.   

The Asia phenomenon is interesting. What is the appeal of the harmonica in 
Asia? Is it simply a cultural difference? Whether it's economics: they can't 
afford guitars? They can't afford ipods, ipads, laptop computers, cell 
phones or other distractions? Good quality harmonicas are readily available? 
Good quality instructors are readily available? Playing music is considered a 
legitimate art form not an idle distraction and waste of time? The harmonica 
is regarded as a legitimate instrument, not a toy? The instrument blends 
itself well with traditional Chinese music? There is a strong tradition of 
harmonica in Chinese music? 

Whatever it is, those young people flock to the harmonica festival because 
they want to be there. And until we get a handle on what it is that drives 
them to attend, we're not going to make any reasonalble comparisons to SPAH.

I'm sure there are more questions, but until they are asked we're not going 
to have a clue as to what is going on here.

Eschew obfuscations.
Phil

 





In a message dated 9/8/10 1:49:06 AM, tony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> smo-joe said
> 
> "As I told Richard off list, someone? has to be coming up
> with the money to send these youngsters. Maybe sponsors?"
> 
> For the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival there is no sponsorship as far
> as I'm aware, not even for the elite players. All the contestants pay
> their own way to get there, they generally stay in cheap accommodation.
> The festival organizers work really hard to get government support,
> however this is for the use of venues etc. Again I'm not sure of the
> details, just glad that I don't have to organize any of it. No-one seems
> to be in it for the money, they just love the harmonica and the chance
> to win the competitions.
> 
> The responsibility for Asia Pacific Harmonica festival organization
> passes between countries, the next one will be in Malaysia in 2012. I
> know the Malaysian people, they'll do a great job.
> 
> Tony Eyers
> Australia
> www.HarmonicaAcademy.com 
> ...everyone plays
> 
>