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Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2002 00:47:50 +1300
From: "G maj"
Subject: Re: tab-the great, the glorious

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn Weiser
To:
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2002 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: tab-the great, the glorious

>
> > This is what bugs me the most. I have a different view of the world.
> > I believe things can change between now and a reasonable point in the
> > future... in ones lifetime in fact ...
> > its called having vision, and then making the commitment to do one's bit
to
> > help it come about.
> > The only reason this fails is if too many people say "it ain't never
gonna
> > happen." and the problem is its much easier for people to say
that...
> > stop all possible progress and then 5 years down the track say "See! We
> > told you."
> >
> > That is called a self-fulfilling prophecy.
> >
> > And as an author of harmonica books you are one of the people who can
help
> > or hinder any constructive shift in people's expectations and
perceptions of
> > themselves.
> >
> Maj-

> Your position assumes that music notation is, in all cases and for all
people, superior to tab, and tab should be > dropped from books to get
people reading.

Not quite. Not all cases, not for all people.
I have gone to a lot of effort to be clear in what I mean and where I am
coming from in our discussion.

But I do believe a lot is to be gained by encouraging harmonica performers
to bring their reading level to the same average as you find amongst... say
saxophone players, or flute, or the average reading level of pianoists ....
or anything other than munting guitarists which you have used as an example.
:o)~

> I disagree.

Fair enough. No surprise there. :)
However I think you haven't evaluated my position accurately ... so bearing
in mind I'm not driving an ANTI-Tab compaign... I'm just seriously
questioning the motives behind what you were saying in previous posts, and
what is being done about educating those who already play harmonica and are
looking for the resources to bring them up further in their education?
AHhh you know what I'm on about.

> Remember that people must be able read rhythm stems to make sense of tab.
So that's half of notation right there.

> Then there's pitch, represented by both the hole numbers and the
noteheads.
> A better way to get people reading, I think, is to include the tab rather
than exclude it.
> People will keep seeing that a 2-draw is a G on a C harp, for example, and
start making the connections.

I don't argue this at all .... I never did. Thats just great for BEGINNER
material..... but what about everyone else who already plays????

> And if they want to stick with tab, that's their choice.

It is... but their choice may very well be based on their perceptions of
what is "normal" and what is accepted... and where the average level lies
for thier instrument. There is a lot to be said for having role models who
inspire followers to push them further along...

Besides they've got bugger all else to choose from than tab & notation books
on the market.

> Many players just don't have the time to learn 12 key reading and will
> always need tab.

Sax players seem to find the time. Piano players seem to find the time. I
think this is a pretty lame statement.

> Why should they be deprived?

They're not! .... as you've already pointed out its the only market niche
that the Major Publishers pander too.

But many others are being deprived of opportunities to find ways to advance
themselves. Do you know how HARD it was to learn to read music on the
harmonica (1997-2000 for me) without decent collected resources. I found
very little on the internet to get me on my way, the books I had were hard
slog and it was a continual uphill struggle. Thats why I wrote the
Chromatic Harmonica Reference.... to fill in the gaps and make it easier for
those who follow to get on their way quicker. I haven't made my point
yet....

Oh flag it.... I don't think you can see where I'm coming from - I give up
Glenn..... do what you will.

> But the main point is that no major publisher will ever put out a harp
book without tab, and that's beyond my control. And they don't care who I
am- no tab, no book deal, period. And that's almost always true for guitar
books, too. I had to lobby hard just to get tongue blocking indications
included in Masters of the Blues Harp.
>

I know. I've already said I know.
They are looking at an existing market. I'm talking about creating a NEW
market within our ranks.
This is one perception, one approach - I don't need those publishers.

> So what you're proposing, as far as sheet music goes, is
> impossible. Again, tab is here to stay.

Today this is true. In todays market this is true.
With the common attitudes amongst the US of A this is true. I don't live in
USA, we don't have hillbillies and whatever else with harmonicas where I
live.... those perceptions are in your head, and the heads of Americans...
not me, not my friends and not in the heads of MANY people I mingle with and
talk to.

In the future it can be a very different story. Things change.

You & the publishers are focused on the past.... and as you appear
absolutely bent on staying that way and unable conceive of any other way, I
will leave you & the major publishers to it.

> Glenn Weiser