From: Glenn Weiser Date: Wed, 06 May 1998 01:29:25 -0400 Subject: A few words of perspective
> > From: Eric Nelson > Date: Tue, 05 May 1998 21:01:04 -0500 > Subject: Misc Rants > > I am really glad to know how Little Walter did, didn't do, what > part of the tongue, and what he wore whaen he played Juke because I > want to sound just like him and be totaly unoriginal. OK so maybe I > went a little overboard, and maybe ( probably) I pissed somebody off, > but it seems to me that if half the time we took to analyze every little > bit of this song and arguing about it, was spent hustling for gigs, > practicing, or learning more about our art form in general, we would > benefit this instrument a heck of a lot more than finding out what LW > ate for breakfast that morning in '52. He didn't play it the same way > twice, why should we? Now I hope know body gets offended that a 15 > year old relative beginner said these things, but I believe they needed > to be said and stand by what I say 100% > > Like I said I hope I didn't piss anybody off, and I'll talk to you > all again. > > Eric Nelson > Eric-
I started playing harp when I was 15. In the course of over 20 years I could only find three people to tell me anything about it. If I had known some of the people here earlier I would have made much faster and better progress. People study how great artists did what they did. That's part of an art form, and blues harmonica is certainly an art form. With Little Walter, there is uncertainty about his technique, so some people including me are trying to figure it out. I'm writing a book of his solos so kids like you won't have to go through what I went through-not being able to learn more about the harp because there were no books or teachers to help me. To write this book the right way, I have to research this stuff thoroughly. That means driving everybody nuts with a million questions, getting into occaisonal arguments, and even making new friends too. But you're still right-what really matters in the end is picking it up, learning it well, and letting the music make you feel good. And, when you're ready, getting up in front of a crowd and making them feel good too. Just because we don't talk about that part of it doesn't mean we don't understand it. You should always feel welcome to express your opinion here.
Glenn Weiser
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