Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Harmonica Festival for Beginner

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Eric:
 
While I've attended several SPAHs, Buckeyes and Garden State Festivals,  
last year's Williamsburg Festival was my first. It is, as Betsey says, a 
smaller  version of SPAH (as most other harmonica conventions are), so you get 
the  flavour of what a SPAH's all about. WELL worth the relatively small cost, 
and  shorter fest. Very homey and nice.
 
If I had ANY convention in my hometown I'd be there with bells on :) Garden 
 State is the closest to me and it's still a good 3+ hour drive depending 
on  traffic. Not complaining - I'm thrilled to be so close since every SPAH 
has  necessitated a plane flight!
 
Tom McCraig runs this one - be sure to go up to say hello - someone will  
point him out to you; tell him you're new, and you won't be for long. That's 
the  beauty of our harmonica-convention world- by the end of your first full 
day  you're already 'one of us'. 
 
It's absolutely natural to feel like a fish out of water when you first  
walk in, but you'll see (and immediately hear) harmonica playing going on in 
the  Hotel - and scarcely have time to put away your belongings before 
wanting to see  who's playing and what's going on. Indulge that curiosity - GO and 
hang out  around those small groups: you won't regret it for a minute. Even 
if they're  playing music far afield from your usual taste - listen in and 
get a feel for  what they're doing. 
 
The conventions attract people from the very beginner (and some remain  
beginners no matter how many years they've played - it must be said)  <G>  to 
the virtuoso players. It's all good.
 
Carry at least one harmonica on your person - don't use the 'they're in my  
room', 'I didn't bring a harp with me' excuses. Just have them and even if  
you move away a few feet to see if you can quietly get the key, join in if  
others are playing casually. Taking that first step is the most important  
thing you can do. You might feel awkward and strange at first - but trust 
me,  it's your first step on an incredibly fun musical journey.
 
I had to be dragged physically into playing with a group of chromatic  
players at my very first convention - Buckeye, 2005 - I was far too nervous and  
shy - couldn't play in front of a single other human, but this small group 
of  incredibly nice older gentlemen insisted - even picked up my chair (with 
me  in it!) and brought me into their circle. This was late at night, btw - 
 probably 1 - 2a.m. (at most conventions people stay up all night although  
I'm not so sure about Virginia). At first I tried to just listen in and not 
 play, but they drew me in with their warmth and camaraderie and after  a 
while I found the courage to actually try something. They were  MORE than 
encouraging. I've never looked back - went to SPAH 5 months later and  even got 
onstage for Open Mic to play two songs despite my immense stage  fright.
 
That's all it takes - mustering up the courage to take that very first  
step. And that camaraderie is what the conventions are 90% all about, for me. I 
 too have made lifelong friends I couldn't imagine not having in my life 
now. 
 
After registration you'll be wearing a name tag: people will want to know  
who you are - so introduce yourself. Talk to people. Smile, be friendly - 
sit  down with groups and listen in to them. You might not meet too many from 
this  list - a lot of older chromatic players don't post here - but they're 
lovely  people.
 
 Make friends and I'll guarantee you'll be on your way home on the  Sunday 
with your mind buzzing, trying to come up with a way to get to Dallas for  
SPAH in August (where there'll be tons more diatonic players in attendance). 
 
Above all, have fun!
 
I was hoping to go, but might not make it this year (the drive down  from 
NY isn't too horrible but I have other issues). IF I do I'll make sure  to 
say hello.
 
 
Elizabeth
 
 
"Message: 12
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:20:35 -0500
From: Eric Chason  <eric.d.chason@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Harmonica Festival for  Beginner?
To: _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

Many thanks to all of you who responded. I was at about 90% before but  am
at 99.9% now. The location and timing couldn't be more convenient for  me."