featherman wrote: "Reading music is not as easy as Douglas is making it out to be. JonG can teach someone to play "Three Blind Mice" in 45 minutes."
I have never, nor will I ever, teach anyone to play "Three Blind Mice" unless there is a great, great deal of money involved. This is because I am a vegetarian. No, that's a lie. Although I am a lover of straight harp and first position and the traditional songs (see Harmonica Americana), the name of my publishing company is Cross Harp Press. I have sold my 2 million books tapes and videos because my products focus on and teach improvisational blues and country second position harmonica through an easily understood system that explains the function of each note, a few simple riffs that demonstrate the function, and the knowledge to make up your own riffs and solos. I also have made several tapes that explore the playing of great melodies in second, third and fifth positions. A big part of my teaching theory is that we learn by experience more than exposition so my tapes give the players lotsa, lotsa guitar-banging and throat-croaking to play along with. Re: the debate. An intermediate to advanced level harp player could get a lot out of knowing how to read music, but it is not an essential skill to becoming a great improvisational blues and country player. And, it could discourage beginners because so many notes are missing. Jon
