Re: [Harp-L] A Music Lesson to PONDER

[michael rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think the concept is beautiful.  You do not need theory, you need to
immerse yourself in music playing.  Make sounds and do not restrict
your sounds.  Find people who are willing to let you play with them,
preferably people who are more technically advanced than you and do
not discuss the key or whether it is major or minor, play what sounds
good to you or explore until you find  good sounds.

I believe this is how most professionals get started.  They have a
natural feel for music.  They get their hands on an instrument  and
start making sounds.  They buy music recordings and listen and jam
along either trying to imitate sounds or licks or just the vibe of the
music.  They find their way into jams and bands with people who are
similiarly inclined and hopefully further along and make  music by
feeling.  This is how I started and some of my most favorite music was
my first 5 years, where my theory knowledge was very limited.

Then because you play with others, you become aware of basic street
theory until you have enough to communicate on the level you need.
Then you spend most of your time playing while using as little theory
as possible.  I cannot help but try and analyze what key I am in and
whether the song is a major, minor or blues song and choose a harp
key/position.  Once that 5 second analysis is complete I just play
what I feel.

The problem is many people are not obsessed with music, or naturals at
it, or have the time to learn or meet people to play with, etc.  That
is why theory can be very helpful.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 2:26 PM, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> On Jul 26, 2011, at 2:59 PM, Robert Hale wrote:
>
>> On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 4:14 AM, Frank Franze <franze52@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> A Music Lesson to PONDER, link below
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIcG40qLX_o&NR=1<
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIcG40qLX_o&NR=1><<<<<<<<<
>>
>>
>>
>> I listened, I pondered.
>> I like Victor. I love his playing approach.
>> I'm not sure I can identify the theme and message here.
>>
>> Help me out. What do you think he is saying?
>>
>> Robert Hale
>> Learn Harmonica via Webcam
>> Low Rates, High Results
>> http://www.dukeofwail.com
>> http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL<http://www.youtube.com/user/DUKEofWAIL?feature=mhee>
>
>
> First, I would have preferred if 'Crapo Marx' had been thumbing his pyano somewhere else.
>
> What 'I' think he's saying is similar to my feelings about sports. You get these commentators that have to tell you all about the players personal business. What his wife bought the other day, what his kids are doing in school, what his parents did while he was growing up. 'I' don't want to hear any of that. I just wanna know if the guy can play ball? Can he play, or can't he play? I don't want to hear about what his sister had for breakfast, or what grades he got in school, or his high school prom. I just want to know if he can play.
>
> So, to extrapolate this, Victor is saying that there's a time to play. Play what you feel and don't worry so much about the theory. I see people here on this (and other) lists ripping apart all these itsy bitsy pieces of info. While there IS a place for them, and I find some to be very educational, most are completely over my head. If I had to think of all these thousands and thousands of bits while I'm playing, my head will explode. It gets too technical.
>
> We learn to walk. We don't need a book, a lesson plan, or mathematics. There are no 5ths, 7ths, diminished. Someone holds us up a little and we do it. We learn to talk. We listen to others. First babbling. Eventually we too make sense. So, put in the road time. Say what you feel. Some people have something to say, some don't. Like Mr. Baker said in his interview. To paraphrase: Some very accomplished technicians have nothing to say while some regular average people do. Learn to communicate. You don't have to be William F. Buckley jr.
>