Re: [Harp-L] Winslow for President SPAH presidency

["David Priestley ( for harp-L)" <dmharpman@xxxxxxxxx>]

 Hi All
SPAH has done a good job for the Harmonica over a good number of years. 
Though it's primarily an American organization, it does have a   
European presence & it is connected to all the national Harmonica clubs 
in Europe.

The history of the international Harmonica community's  and the 
Harmonica movement shows a change in attitude from a time in the 1970's 
to the present day.

In essence the Harmonica movement was beset with a number of groups who 
had ideas about the validity of the instruments
in the Harmonica  family.

In short there was a feeling that a chromatic instrument was a more 
'complete / valid' instrument due to it's ability to perform on a par with
orchestral instruments such as the Flute, Clarinet, Oboe & other wind 
instruments.
On the other side of these ideas was the idea that diatonic Harmonicas 
were more expressive. There was at one time a real danger of irreparable 
and totally unnecessary division with-in the Harmonica community.

Then with the introduction of relatively new  Harmonica technique, i.e. 
over-blows et al, and the introduction of commonly available  'altered 
tunings'  which allowed the diatonic Harmonicas to be played in a more 
chromatic fashion.  This let players address their instruments and the 
musics they could expect to try in new and different ways. This gave a 
broader musical vista and a deeper instrumental understanding to the 
Harmonica family.

This led to players from different 'camps' to have a more complete 
understanding of the potential of all Harmonicas, regardless of their
compass or lay-out.

The unending work needed to create a broad  international appreciation 
of the Harmonica family still goes on, with SPAH still in the vanguard.

It is quite common these days to find players exploring all manor of 
Harmonicas and all manors of styles of music and technique upon these 
instruments.

An example of  this is embodied in a student of mine called Pedro. Pedro 
first learned to play Diatonic Harmonica in Folk/Blues style using a 
pucker style to get single notes. Having gained a good understanding in 
this method he is now re-training himself to take on board 
tongue-blocking style. Which he says is "almost like starting again". 
Though now he has an understanding of modal playing and music reading on 
this his second great voyage of discovery. Just today he under-took 
another vast adventure by buying himself a 'Hohner 64c'. Which is a four 
octave slide Chromatic Harmonica and a world away from the 10 hole diatonic.

I personally have enjoyed playing all manor of Harmonicas and Harmonica 
tuning layouts, including the 'Group Harmonicas', i.e. Chord and Bass 
Harmonicas.

The over-riding common factor in all these free reed instruments is that 
they have all been fabulous vehicles for self expression.

Do I personally have a feeling as to which is the best?

Yes, they are all the best. I play 43 instruments and of these 43 it is 
the Harmonica family which has best suited my needs for self expression.

I don't know what other worthy folk Winslow would be standing against in 
the SPAH election.

My recommendation of him is not based upon how he stands in relation to 
his competition for the SPAH office but rather on his history as a 
player and instrumental explorer. Upon his ability to take a considered 
and well thought   out stance on any position he may take. Also upon his 
flexibility. He will willingly rethink a position if he is shown any new 
ideas and / or data that have a bearing on the formulation of any 
position he may take on an issue. It is because of these and many other 
sterling qualities that he has that he is well thought of and widely 
respected.
 I feel that any harmonica club would be well served if they got the 
efforts of Winslow as an officer of that club. His time with the 
instrument shows a broad understanding of the instrument family, the 
needs of its players and the many issues surrounding and growing from 
all these.

yours David

David Priestley holder of the SPAH award  for services to the Harmonica.


On 30/08/2011 08:18, Robert Hale wrote:
> Winslow for President!
>
> Robert Hale
> Learn Harmonica by Webcam
> Low Rates, High Success
> http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL<http://www.youtube.com/user/DUKEofWAIL>
> http://www.dukeofwail.com

--
D Priestley AKA Dr Midnight.
England's first  harmonica Guru.

Do feel free get in touch.
Harmonica lessons POA,(10 = 20% discount,&  20 = 25% discount).

I teach from: 51 Barkston Gdns, the basement flat&  On-Line,
Email me or call me to book lessons or get more info.

E-mail= dmharpman@xxxxxxxxx
Website= http://www.cognitionarts.com/
Phone=(44) 0207 373 0295