Re: [Harp-L] the saddest harmonica story ever told

[Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I like to tell people that the harmonica is the easiest instrument in the world:  You stand up on stage, show the harmonica, smile, DON'T PLAY IT, and everybody loves you!

Elizabeth H. (aka "Tin Lizzie")


On Jun 17, 2013, at 5:57 AM, Bill wrote:

> From: JWilliam Thompson <landcommentary@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date: June 16, 2013 2:36:58 PM GMT-04:00
> To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] the saddest harmonica story ever told
> 
> 
> The other night I got a good lesson in why other musicians hate harmonica.
> It may be worth sharing.
> 
> I went to a jazz jam/workshop and took another instrument, not harmonica,
> but sitting near me was a chap with a set of diatonics, a green bullet type
> mike, and an amp turned up high. I thought, "This should be interesting."
> It wasn't.
> 
> When we started playing a beautiful Duke Ellington tune, this fellow
> started grating on his harp. No relation to the tune at all. Pure static
> and distortion. And LOUD.  And even when it wasn't his turn he grated on,
> seemingly oblivious of the other musicians trying to play their own solos.
> Fortunately, the jam organizer was able to tone him down. But by that time
> the image of the harmonica had already taken a hit, at least in that room.
> 
> Harmonica players who try to play listenable music suffer a setback every
> time a guy like that
> turns up his amp.
> 
> Bill