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

[Mike Best <mike.d.best@xxxxxx>]

When the average person's idea of a good harmonica player is Bob Dylan, what
hope have we got?

This isn't supposed to ignite a debate about Bob's huge influence and his
wonderful songwriting etc etc, I get that.  Just sayin'

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Emile Damico
Sent: Sunday, 8 June 2014 9:57 PM
To: JWilliam Thompson; harp-l
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] no standards of harmonica accomplishment

I agree that there doesn't seem to be an obvious standard.
I think part of this is due to the fact that there is very little published
as harmonica methods compared to violin, jazz guitar etc.
The audience in many instances doesn't have a clue either at times.

Emile



On Saturday, June 7, 2014 8:14 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