Re: [Harp-L] Are we a more musically educated community?

[Joe Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 26, 2011, at 9:49 AM, MANFRED WEWERS wrote:

>   I don't think it's cost; it's attitude.

Actually THIS is exactly what I felt but didn't want to say it. I was trying to be more genteel, and was trying not to attract the wrath of the younger players. Whom might take my comments as an diss to their impatience. In this 'instant' world, the youth of today have gotten used to quick results. Computers, blackberrys, notepads. I don't think chord gives you the instant gratification that the lead instruments (both kinds: country AND western...i.e. chromatic & diatonic) give you. 
>  
> Everybody wants to be a lead player.  Unlike the diatonic, the chord harmonica has made few inroads into the other musical genres, after all they're for trios.  How many chord players do you see at the blues and jazz jams?   Maybe if a Levy, Filisko or Bonfiglio started playing them...?

I think it takes a lot of dedication to play chord. A LOT. Trying to play along with just about anything required a lot of work, many many movements, and a lot of injuries (teeth, lips, tongue, corners of the mouth, etc.). Chord can be a face buster. And I feel that may players don't see a tangible return for the effort expended. Chord is definitely a case where you would have to be radically in love with it. 

smokey-joe in beautiful down town Florida. 

>  
> Manfred from cold Toronto