[Harp-L] endemic mistakes

[JWilliam Thompson <landcommentary@xxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with Richard Hunter that most harmonica players have limited
themselves with a onesided devotion to one musical genre -- the blues. Now,
the blues were my first love and I still love them, but when an instrument
becomes too associated with one genre of music we are painting ourselves
into a corner.

I happen to live in an urban area with a rich mix of musical options. There
is a fine blues jam that meets every week. It is always overstocked with
harp players, each one eagerly waiting to play his or her big solo.

Now let us look at other musical options, bluegrass for example. Where we
have one blues jam, we have in my area at least half a dozen bluegrass
jams. When I attend any of these I am typically the only harmonica guy
there. Other harmonica players simply haven't bothered to learn the
difficult art of playing fiddle tunes and other bluegrass standards note
for note at sizzling tempos. The harmonica players are all over at that one
blues jam, waiting their turn to play.

My point is not to single out bluegrass as an option but to question why
the  vast majority of harmonica players focus on only one genre -- and yes,
I know there are exceptions. I am talking about the majority of harp
players.

Branch out, guys -- the instrument will be better for it.

Bill in DC