Re: [Harp-L] no standards of harmonica accomplishment

[Bigmouthhorns <bigmouthhorns@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bill in DC,

I think the same pool of people that can discern between intermediate and really good guitar players can discern between intermediate an really good harmonica players.
However this pool represents a very small minority of the world population.  After a certain point, most listeners don't have a clue as to a performer's degree of development on an instrument regardless of the instrument.
If folks like Howard Levy, Toots and Fred Yonnet(since your in DC) haven't established a "standard of accomplishment" I don't know whoever will.  However, it will never be "generally understood".

Jordan in Baltimore


Jordan Feldman
443-721-0788
Jfeldman@xxxxxxxxx
www.onesa.com

Sent from my iPhone


> On Jun 7, 2014, at 8:09 PM, JWilliam Thompson <landcommentary@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Phil Duncan is right. The fact that anybody can teach him or herself
> harmonica means that there is no standard of accomplishment. This is a
> serious problem for acceptance of the instrument.
> 
> I know of at least two local "players" who confidently advertise themselves
> as harmonica players. They are both very nice people,
> but neither of them can play blues licks or rhythm chops, much less play
> any kind of tune. But in their own minds, they are fully accomplished
> players and tout themselves as such.
> 
> With another instrument, say a guitar, most people who listen to  music can
> clearly distinguish between a beginning guitarist, an intermediate player,
> and someone who is really good. Listeners do not have a similar yardstick
> with harmonica, because there is no generally understood standard of
> accomplishment.
> 
> This is a major problem for advancement of harmonica as an instrument.
> 
> Bill in DC