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From: Mike Curtis
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 12:50:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Intensity and Devotion (Long) was Rorschach pos.

On Tue, 13 Jan 1998, Benoit Felten wrote:

>Mike Curtis writes
>
>> But one fact is, if everyone played harmonica with the intensity and
>> devotion of RB, our instrument would have a much higher standing in
>> the musical community, and there would undoubtedly be more demand for
>> it.
>
>I'm reminded of John Popper's interview in HIP. He says the reason he
>avoids the harmonica 'community' is because they're so damn defensive,
>like an endangered species. I think I'm starting to see what he means.

I'm not defensive of harmonica. I don't have to be. However, the facts
are that people are surprised when they hear a competent harmonica player,
and this hurts my business.

>Every time you do a good gig in front of people, Mike, THAT's when you
>change people's perceptions of the instrument.

Yes - and precisely my point. How much more would peoples perception
change if EVERYONE played harmonica as well as, let's say, professional
classical violinists, or professional jazz saxophonists, or top notch
blues or rock guitarists? I'm not comparing instruments or styles -
merely levels of proficiency. If EVERYONE played harmonica REALLY well,
it would be a much more popular instrument, more in demand. EVERY band
would have to have one.

> Richard Hunter's solo
>approach changes people's perceptions. Howard Levy's world jazz changes
>people's perceptions. And most of all, John Popper's heavy rock high
>speed acid trip playing changes many many people's perception. Ironic
>that the man who probably has done the most to change the perception of
>harmonica and make it respectable to the layman is the one who refuses
>to mingle with defensive harmonica players...
>
>I don't hear JP or HL defending their choice of instrument. Everytime RB
>speaks on this list, that's what I hear him do. Maybe I'm wrong. But at
>the end of the day, I don't think his 'intensity and devotion' helps
>much in this respect. Maybe it helps in classical circles. But let's
>face it, classical isn't the be-all and end-all of the instrument is it
>? And the fact that one more composer writes a concerto for harmonica
>and ensemble isn't going to bring you any business Mike... (Not
>dismissing classical here, folks !!!)

Maybe not directly, but the more people who see the term "harmonica
player" and equate it with "good musicianship", the better off I (and ALL
harp pros) will be.

Which would be more likely to attract a good audience - a violin concerto,
or a kazoo concerto? A jazz concert featuring grand piano, or toy piano?
A band featuring a drummer, or one featuring a washboard player? Charlie
Mingus on upright bass, or on washtub bass?

While it may be possible to play good music on these, what are the odds
that they'll match up to the "serious" instruments?

Would you go see a jazz concert played on banjo? 20 years ago, this would
have been laughable. Today we have Bela Fleck. But still, when people
mention banjo, jazz is probably the last notion it inspires. However, if
there were as many great jazz banjoists as there are great jazz pianists,
saxophonists, et al, would the perception change? Of course it would.

>Unlike RB, when at the end of a gig someone in the audience comes to see
>me and says 'Wow, I didn't know you could do that on a harp, it's kind
>of like a saxophone' I'm happy : because that person will never
>disregard harmonica again. So little by little, people are recognising
>the harp as what it is : a worthwhile instrument.
>
>Exposure is much more important than valid approach to the instrument.
>As I pointed out in the early stages of this thread there are just as
>many dabblers in guitars, saxophones or pianos as their are in
>harmonicas. And that doesn't make people disrespect these instruments,
>does it ?

No, because there are also a lot of artists like Joe Pass, Eddie Van
Halen, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Van Cliburn, Big Jay McNeely, Jimi
Hendrix, and thousands of others who are notably great on these
instruments.

We have Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Alanis Morrisette, Chrissie Hynde, and
many, many more along these lines - and John Popper. Yes I know there are
more good players, but outside of blues, how many are REALLY well known?

Why is it that MOST pop music fans believe that Popper is BY FAR the best
harmonica player ever? If your selection were strictly limited to the
list above, which would you say is the best by a wide margin?


-- IronMan Mike Curtis
My CD "Doin' It All Myself" available in Tower, Blockbuster, Camelot, PX