[Harp-L] MHW Events/ HCH 2018 Reflections

[Joseph Leone]

Larry “Ice is nice at twice the price” is only saying that because he is folicaly challenged. Tee hee 

> On Jun 1, 2018, at 10:48 AM, Doug Schroer <dougharps at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> @The Iceman
> 
> I believe that people choose to learn chromatic or diatonic harmonica in
> order to play the genres of music they enjoy on the instrument they enjoy.
> Usually it is music they heard during developmental years, but also may
> include styles they came to enjoy later in life. Aspiring amateurs who were
> exposed to folk, rock, and blues in the '60s,'70s, and '80s are now seeking
> to play the music they enjoy, which is different than the musical styles
> prevalent during the developmental years of those learning chromatic at
> events during the '80s and '90s.
> 
> This is a generalization, but I think it has some merit. There are always
> crossovers and exceptions. There has been concern at SPAH in recent years
> that chord, bass, and chromatic use is in decline, and efforts have been
> made to showcase these instruments in different more modern genres to show
> that they are not bound to genres passing from popularity. I attribute the
> decline in the use of these instruments to shifts in musical preferences
> from classical, tin pan alley, ballads, and jazz standards to more folk and
> roots based music.
> 
> The cost of attending harmonica events, especially if attendance requires
> missing work, lends to a more mature, financially established demographic
> participating in extended length harmonica workshops/conventions. More
> mature people have the wherewith-all to indulge their musical interests. In
> the midst of a career it takes dedication and money to take time off and go
> to events spanning several days. Additionally, younger demographics can now
> access instructional material via internet and don't need to try to find a
> way to get time off work to go to several day workshops.Those younger
> players who are committed to becoming professional musicians will find ways
> to attend regardless of financial and employment obstacles, but the
> majority at such events are older. This is why SPAH has a youth outreach
> offering scholarships to the convention.
> 
> "Time marches on," indeed!
> 
> A plus to the greying of players is that this more mature demographic has
> access to wealth that can be transferred to support working
> musicians/instructors at concerts and workshops.
> 
> Doug S.