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From: Mike Curtis
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 13:00:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Second position mystery, and positions

On Mon, 26 Aug 1996 JfGindi~ol.com wrote:

> A friendly challenge to Mr. C who writes:
>
> "I agree with Mic'l about letting the guitarist/etc. know immediately that
> I'll select the harp I'm going to use.
> I know he's just trying to be helpful, but it really shows that harmonicists
> are not looked upon as "real musicians",
>
> When a guitarist gives me the cross harp position instead of the key (I
> usually already know the key cause I play guitar), I assume he's trying to
> show me he knows harp, not that I don't know music. Am I being Pollyanna?
>
> and I want to do all I possibly can to dispel this notion. It costs me money!
>
>
> Am I wrong to doubt this? I think that the harp is not considered a basic
> part of the ensemble as are piano,
> bass, drums, guitar, vocals...and that's what costs harp players money. It's
> a specialty instrument and creates a problem
> in that it turns every song it plays on into a harmonica song.
> I think the harp is looked on more as one would look
> at the trumpet..nice to have but non-essential. It breaks my heart, but
> that's how I read the situation.

Then why aren't harp players accorded the same respect as a horn player,
which also fits your definition? Trumpet players are never mollycoddled
like harmonica players. While part of this is due to bad harmonica
players (easiest instrument to play; hardest to play excellently), part is
due to the notion that it can be played only in one key (e.g. a toy).
What other instrument 1. "requires" changing with key, and 2. is played so
badly by many?

Don't take this wrong - I have no problem with beginners. I think it's
great that harmonica can be played as easily as it can and still make
usable music. I even enjoy having beginners sit in on harp at my gigs.
Music is FUN.

But for me and others, music is also a BUSINESS. When my main instrument
is poorly thought of, it co$t$ me real money. It's just one more obstacle
to overcome in a definitely uphill battle. I don't mind the "easy for
beginners" part. I _DO_ have a problem with the fact that many people,
especially other musicians, are totally unaware that harmonica can be as
much a virtuoso instrument as a violin, guitar, saxophone, or any other
instrument.

> Mike C. has also commented that if he doesn't show up at a gig
> with a full set of harps, he's not considered a musician, or a real harp
> player.' Perharps that's sometimes true, but could it be that musicians who
> have worked with harp players before think that Mr. C isn't showing respect
> for their gig when he shows up with only his C harp...and when he says "i
> don't need anything else' that he's blowin' smoke? Once you start to play,
> Ironman, doesn't that first impression change pretty quickly?

I never said "gig". I said "recording session". In this town, it's not
at all uncommon to get "cold called" for a session. If you show up (as
an unknown) "empty handed", you may not be _admitted_ to the studio. And
how can you prove anything to no one? So far, I've not been denied in the
long run, but I _have_ had a few close calls. Had I had less than a
"linebacker" attitude at the door (I don't care how big you are - I got a
job to do in there and I'm comin' through), I may well have been turned
away.

And yes musicians often think I'm blowing smoke. I've even described
several of these instances on the list, e.g. Keb'Mo. But I don't blow
smoke. My instrument is the "C" diatonic. With perfect pitch, other
tunings throw me off. I don't think "position". I think "notes". For
me, it's easier to use the C harp and positions. But that's just me. I
don't use a single harp and positions to impress anyone. I use them
because it's best for me and my style.

> "Even if we play mostly second position it doesn't mean we're drooling
> idiots. "
>
> Hey, watch what you say about me drooling!

hmmm --- I was wondering how you got those interesting patterns on your
book ;-)


-- IronMan Mike Curtis
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