From: PGriss~ol.com Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 12:48:21 EST Subject: " The great debate" from my side of the room
Well, I guess i'll jump back into this topic again. Everything is based on my own experience's with student's that come into the music store where I teach. I have alway's had the belief that if a person want's to learn harmonica they will fight alligator's to learn how. I was that way once.too. I first learned on that book by Jon Gindick, Harmonica for the musically hopeless that I found in a toy store in Hawaii while shopping with my daughter. And I haven't put the harp down since.When student's come to their first lesson with me, I have no idea weather I will see them again. But I want to give them value. Another word's, when they walk out to the street they are happy with what I've taught them. I alway's start off with rhythmn exercises, that way they get their breathing from the stomach correctly. I have alway's had luck with jerry Portnoy's idea's on this. then I teach them to tongue block, sometime s they get it sometime's not. some people want to learn campfire song's or st.James's infirmary so I don't tell them about third position yet, I just have them find the note's for the song. I believe in getting right into songs in the first couple of months. that way your'e working towards a goal and using proper technique at the samr time. If they can't get tongue blocking, I just say anyway you can to get the tone.So it goes back and forth, for months sometimes, they lip, I will block. It's not that I will knock a student's style/or tone but it alway's come's back to this tone thing. If your'e happy with your'e tone then , be happy and if I can help you along the way on other technique's , I will be happy to also. And if I have to, I,ll drag Barrett out of the office so to explain something in his book.Dave want's certain technique's taught to a potential student of his. TB or liping is never mentioned. So long as there is some degree offprofiency on the instrument. And that's my job. He hasn't canned me yet.sincerly,pgrissim
