Other web Sites
Harmonica Blues  Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
• Archives Home
• Years
 · 1992
 · 1993
 · 1994
 · 1995
 · 1996
 · 1997 		 · 1998
 · 1999
 · 2000
 · 2001
 · 2002
 · 2003
 
Web HarpL
Ebay Searches:
Amps:
Microphones:
Effects:
Harmonicas and Gear:
Harmonica Music and Instruction:

 

 

Harp-L Archives

[Previous Message] [Next Message]
[Previous in Thread] [Next in Thread]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 00:13:01 -0800
From: "IronMan Mike Curtis"
Subject: Re: Re[4]: Harp on! / call for entries

As I mentioned, I'm a teacher, and have lots of experience with
students. I'm also like you, and like to challenge myself. But MOST
students are not. Some are a little more adventuresome, true; but
most are bewildered.

If you like to challenge yourself, what's the harm in challenging
yourself to learn something as simple as standard notation and
(assuming in this instance it's going to be written in a harmonica
friendly key like C) playing it on diatonic?

Tabbing difficult stuff is sending the wrong message to beginning
level players. And if someone is sufficiently advanced, they don't
need tab. It's not like there are many ways to play a given note on
diatonic. If we exempt 2B/3D, there is just one.

The troll question was logical. You write a lot of stuff that
appears to be trolling. You often take a devils advocate position
(which is de facto trolling). If you want to do that, be prepared
for people to honestly wonder if you're a troll.

(More below)

On 23 Feb 2002, at 22:35, Ron/datadigr wrote:

> I never once suggested anything like *mak [ing a beginner]think that
> something WAY over their head is something they should be able to
> play.* That is simply an idea you constructed to give you something to
> argue against.

And I never said YOU said that.

I stated it as a fact.

I can cite examples, as I'm sure most teachers on the list can. I've
tabbed out difficult pieces on various lists (where there is no
alternative to tab), and gotten feedback from beginners that it was
too hard. If that's happening in these instances, how much more
likely is it to happen in harmonica instruction books, 99% of which
are beginner books?

> IMC> And the truth is, even if you tabbed this stuff out, it would
> still IMC> be inaccessible to the beginner, simply because it's just
> too IMC> difficult.
>
> I think doing _all_ the piece would be way too difficult--but some of
> the bits that could be mined are useful, challenging and withing grasp
> for players at a variety of skill levels--and it's not more of the
> usual blues stuff, which would make the exercise even more valuable in
> my book--if a student or early player _chose_ to attempt the stuff.

There's nothing about SN that places it outside the "begginer" realm.
For advanced material, SN is the right tool. Tab is expressly for
beginners and those who need to be told where to blow and where to
draw, or when we're restricted to plain ASCII. It's musical training
wheels, great for the kids, but inappropriate on a Harley - as well
as suggesting to your three year old that it's cool for him to take a
spin on your hog.

> Jusat like I did when I tried playing Alvin Lee and John McLaughlin
> and Woody Herman on the harp. I didn't always--or even nearly
> always--succeed, but I did learn a whack of useful stuff. And the
> exercise never made me feel like a moron. It made me feel like an
> explorer.

Name one other beginning diatonic player who tries to play Lee,
McLaughlin, and Herman.

OK - then name TEN!

And I can name ten thousand who don't.

Besides, it sounds like you were in well over your head. Most
players don't have a goal of playing badly, and would rather stay
within their means and learn to play well, a step at a time.

> IMC> I suspect you haven't heard Richard Hunters work. Or are you
> just IMC> trolling?
>
> Watch your manners. Both of the above sentences are insults and
> nothing I wrote deserved the response.

They're just honest questions, in light of your post and demeanor.
If you want to rock the boat, don't be so surprised (and sensitive)
when you get splashed.

-- USA Recording Artist IronMan Mike Curtis Southland Blues Magazine
Blues Guide editor, Blues Musician columnist http://www.SouthlandBlues.com
Hear Mikes #1 (for the past YEAR!)Jump Blues PLAY THEM BLUES! See Mikes
live VIDEO http://www.mp3.com/IronmanCurtis