From: Jon Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 17:10:31 -0400 (EDT) Subject: A ton of questions from the newbie
Hi all!
First off, I would like to say how great the members of Harp-L are for lending their time to answer others' questions and involve themselves in interesting debates. I am a high school student, and for the past week, I have looked forwar to coming home from school and reading Gus stories. You guys are the best!
Now, for the questions. I got a ton, so take it all in slowly:
1. Right now, I have three low-end harmonicas: a Pocket Pal, a Bluesband, and The American Ace Harmonica. I have been told that more expensive harmonicas (such as a Special 20 or Lee Oskar) are easier to bend and play. Is this the case? If I were to buy a Special 20 or Lee Oskar, would it be easier to make nice-sounding music with them than with a Pocket Pal? (Obviously, an expensive harmonica won't suddenly make me a great player, but you know what I mean.)
2. No matter what you say to the previous question, I am going to eventually get a nicer harmonica. However, I am currently void of money (A.K.A, flat broke), and I am in the process of getting my parents to buy me a harmonica in the $20 price range. So, my question is, what makes more sense: A) Buying a nicer harmonica so that I can more easily improve my playing, or B) Improving my playing on a cheap harmonica and then moving up to a nicer one. This is, in a way, more of a debate than a question, so have some fun with it.
Hmmm, now that I come to it, that's pretty much all I have to say. I suppose I do have more questions, but they will probably result in never-ending debates that will eventually become annoying and tedious. (For example, what do you think would be the best recording to buy to get a real "feel" for the harmonica?)
Well, thanks a ton in advance for responding. And thanks for the Gus stories!
Keep the tunes coming,
Jon S. Washington, DC
P.S. For David Harp: Do you sell your "Bending the Blues" for less than in the F. & R. Farrel catalogue ($12.95)?
P.P.S. For Madcat: Do you sell your "Harmonicology" cassette for less than $10?
