Reading waltertore's thread on the Flex Rack got me thinking. I know there have been a few discussions about playing the harp while driving, but the use of a rack for such a purpose hasn't been discussed as much.
What are your thoughts about using a rack while driving? I like the "hands free" aspect, but I'm concerned about what would happen in a wreck, especially if the air bag deployed. I have this fear of a Seydel harmonica embedded into my face along with the loss of several teeth, ending my playing days forever.
If you're in an accident and litigation results, I don't think you'd hold up well under cross examination. I've played while driving. I've driven intoxicated. I don't think either is a good idea.
I play while I'm driving alot but I use my hands. I tried once with a rack and it limited my head movement quite a bit. I got to the end of my driveway, tried to look both ways, couldn't, and said "nevermind, this isn't gonna work". I took it off and haven't tried again since. For me playing in the car is great. I get an extra hour of practice in everyday w/o having to set aside any more practice time. ---------- C. Adam Hamil HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2012 8:26 AM
What would prevent me from doing it is my fear of looking like a jackass. ;) ---------- David
____________________ At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong. R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne Elk River Institute for Advanced Harmonica Studies
"I ain't gonna sing no 'Home on the Range.' No. sir. Not if it means I rot in here another month. I'm gonna sing what I'm a gonna be! A free man in the morning!" Andy Griffith (as Lonesome Rhodes, "A Face in the Crowd).
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2012 10:40 AM
I agree. I wonder how you would look after the air bag deployed? If you do it, at least you thought about the risk. I suspect that more thought than most people put into it.
Hey, in a country where people carry guns legally, I am sure the H&S won't mind if you are playing the harmonica with a piece of metal wrapped around your neck whilst driving a vehicle. It's a way of life...
Really? Is harp playing that important that you'd be willing to contribute to these statistics? Key Facts and Statistics
In 2010, 3092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. 18% of injury crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes. In the month of June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US, up nearly 50% from June 2009. (CTIA) 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. 40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger. (Pew) Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Monash University) Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. (VTTI) Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind. (VTTI) Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. (VTTI) Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (Carnegie Mellon)
Stay focused on your driving. Keep your harp playing for later ---------- "Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
Woah Nick, don't get me started on guns or America. I don't want to be the reason a thread gets closed, lol.
I couldn't drive with a rack. I'd be so embarrassed. Jimmy Kimmel told me that he plays harmonica while he's driving on his way to work. He says he gets a lot of weird looks from other drivers. ;)
---------- David
____________________ At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong. R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne Elk River Institute for Advanced Harmonica Studies
"I ain't gonna sing no 'Home on the Range.' No. sir. Not if it means I rot in here another month. I'm gonna sing what I'm a gonna be! A free man in the morning!" Andy Griffith (as Lonesome Rhodes, "A Face in the Crowd).
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2012 7:04 PM
Just Duck Tape the harmonica in your mouth. It may hurt your mustache as badly as a chromatic, and in an accident it may cause some dental injuries, but it won't screw up your neck!
Superbee, sometimes in the morning while I'm getting dressed or straightening things up I'll throw a harp in my mouth and play no hands, no rack. I can't play much, but I can play 'Row Row Row Your Boat' recognizably, more if I have my Hohner Puck.
seems to be a bad idea in that it would be a distraction. Techincally listening to music is also a distraction but at least its not requiring active mental effort on your part. I'm new to the blues and harmonica, but it seems that listening to/analyzing some classic harmonica players would be the most productive/safe way to spend your in vehicle time.
Maybe not at 70 during rush hour, but slow traffic, stop lights and don't forget RR crossings, that 'cruel old Santa Fe' can be a helluva rhythm section. I carry a chromatic and a diatonic to do the Fathers and Sons version while 'stranded',hoping it's a long damn train. Sixteen coaches at least.
