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]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

From: Richard_Weintrag~abylon.montreal.qc.ca (Richard Weintrager)
Date: 15 Jan 1998 10:31:31 GMT
Subject: Re: Bends, Tone, and Timbre

BluesGeek writes:

>Based on the limited exposure of my untraveled ear, I would say that,
>pertainent to timbre and intonation, and adding here, speed, nobody has
>played either a trombone or a diatonic harp to the standard of, say, a piano
>or violin.

And I think, quietly (of course):

Clearly different instruments have different standards; I don't think anybody
would argue opposite that. It's a fundemental, and hell, sorry for even
pointing it out. Obviously you can't cluster and overlay notes on the harp
or trombone to the extent you can on a piano. The instruments, well, they're
simply so naturally distinct from one another in the ways that notes and
tones are in any way manipulated and projected (as you describe well enough
about the trombone) - speed there, as well, is simply not equatable.

With a violin, it's a slightly closer link with regards to speed though the
incredible range on the strings of any violin (not even accounting for
specific tunings available on them) makes the violin intrinsically more of a
'lead' instrument when compared-to/played-with the diatonic harp - but does
an instrument that can produce more tones and pitch-modulations mean it's the
lead instrument: hell no! I correct myself, slightly. But, I mean, all this
is really mute, when you consider that in any multi-instrument scenario there
is an interplay and adaption to the capacities of the instruments involved,
not to mention to that of the players involved that makes the two relative to
and dependant on one another for a real success to occur... .

Personally I love to play along with a really competant and innovative
violinist, someone who can overlay and flow around my melodic line (which is
almost always slippery and clear) to create subtle microtonal references and
harmonics to what I'm onto. The same sort of subtlety's not there with harp
and piano but there's so much in that combo anyways and like I said every
combination is so distinct. I personally prefer the 'infinite line' of
stringed instruments to accompany harp; but that's just the way I like it.

I know this isn't what your post or those preceding it was "all about" but
its a trope and hell we're organic little guys so let's let change... .