Wondering if playing the harmonica while driving is something that we all do? I travel for work and a lot of time is spent behind the wheel by myself. I’ve created playlists on Spotify of backing tracks and I sometimes will spend hours just soloing over them. One of the biggest reasons why I wanted to learn to play the harp (I play piano and guitar too) is because of the portability of the instrument. I LOVE that I can carry it around in my pocket and play at any time. I actually started learning how to play less than a year ago during a business trip to Indianapolis. I bought a cheapo Bluesband harp from a music store in Indy and by the time I drove back to Michigan I was bending notes. All of my progress seems to happen during my business trips now and the car has become my sole practice space!
Here’s the thing though, the majority of my harmonica playing is now done while I’m on the road. This means (mostly, lol) I play with just one hand and I’m not able to utilize hand vibrato. I also have gotten used to doing my trills with one hand and when I try doing them with both my hands, it doesn’t feel right.
What do you all think? You guys play while you drive? Is it illegal to play while driving in any US state?
Last Edited by Curtisaneumann on Aug 19, 2018 11:51 AM
Anyone who plays harmonica while driving deserves the most expensive traffic ticket the police officer can muster. ---------- www.ted-burke.com
Last Edited by ted burke on Aug 19, 2018 3:39 PM
Ted, how is any different than smoking a cigarette while driving? Should cops give people a ticket for Having a cigarette in their hand and bringing to their mouth? You don’t your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road to play a harmonica.
Also, I’ve seen multiple interviews with famous harp players who say they play while they drive. Howard Levy is one of them. Would you denounce him for practicing while driving?
Still a free country, so practice while driving if you want. Many on this forum don't think it is a wise nor a safe way to drive.
I feel those that do get 50% good practice and 50% good driving.
I'm for minimum of 90% good driving and a fan of 100% focused practice. Better driving experience for all and much better practice results for you. ---------- The Iceman
"Ted, how is any different than smoking a cigarette while driving? Should cops give people a ticket for Having a cigarette in their hand and bringing to their mouth? You don’t your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road to play a harmonica."
Curtisaneumann... I'm sure there have actually been a fair number of people who've dropped a cigarette in their lap and ended up in an accident because of it. I'll only drink a beverage at lights these days.
It should be noted too, that there are jurisdictions with a blanket ticket called distracted driving who will be happy to give you a ticket for playing your harmonica while driving.
We all like to think we know when it's appropriate and safe to be a bit distracted behind the wheel, but the problem is is distraction is one of those things that keeps you from noticing it. I've been working on getting my mother to stop eating and driving because I've been in the passenger seat when she has, and my friend when he talks on the phone. I love harmonica, and if you are on a long stretch of lonely highway and you are the only car there maybe that's not so bad, (so long as none of your passengers complain) but in any kind of traffic you aren't just risking yourself. There are times I'd love to whip out my harmonica and play, but all the traffic studies show that pretty much anything you do that takes your attention off the road isn't great for your driving.
Now, self-driving cars are coming, and personally my chauffeur loves my playing on the way to my arena shows, but I try not to play and drive. I know it's a divisive issue on the forum, but I think it comes down to public safety.
Curtisaneumann: It is still possible to have both hands on the wheel while smoking, although a lit cigarette is still something of an impediment. A better example is texting or talking on cell phone with one of your hands while operating a motor vehicle. Both talking on a cell phone with one hand and playing harmonica with one hand while driving means one is not in full control of the vehicle as they drive; they are severely distracted. This means that they are a danger to themselves and a danger to their passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians in their vicinity. I regard this as being the same thing as driving while drunk; a driver has the responsibility to drive safely whenever they get behind the wheel. If not, they should not drive. Those who do drive while operating cell phones or playing harmonica as they operate a vehicle should be ticketed severely. ---------- www.ted-burke.com
Last Edited by ted burke on Aug 19, 2018 9:25 PM
I did play harp in a traffic jam here or there but soon left it behind. I have 45 years of practice behind me and do fairly well, having not used drive time to play. I did drink behind the wheel for a time and smoked even longer. Cell phone conversations as well. Last year I towed a 28' travel trailer across the USA and back for 8 months, and doing that will change your perspective for sure. When the phone buzzed my navigator/wife took care of it and if need be we pulled into a rest area to call back.
As a kid I thumbed rides across the nation as well. It was the 70's and anything was possible. I saw guys behind the wheel of semi trucks do some of the craziest shit you can imagine. Luckily I was never in one where the driver paid the consequences of idiotic behavior.
I don't drink or smoke these days, I have been truly blessed to find my way to sobriety and I hope you will appreciate that since I'm not near the threat I used to be.
When I'm driving I drive. When I'm playing I play. Those who choose high risk behavior get different results out of life. Incredible luck, good or bad, await those who dance on the rim. ----------
I did play harp in a traffic jam here or there but soon left it behind. I have 45 years of practice behind me and do fairly well, having not used drive time to play. I did drink behind the wheel for a time and smoked even longer. Cell phone conversations as well. Last year I towed a 28' travel trailer across the USA and back for 8 months, and doing that will change your perspective for sure. When the phone buzzed my navigator/wife took care of it and if need be we pulled into a rest area to call back.
As a kid I thumbed rides across the nation as well. It was the 70's and anything was possible. I saw guys behind the wheel of semi trucks do some of the craziest shit you can imagine. Luckily I was never in one where the driver paid the consequences of idiotic behavior.
I don't drink or smoke these days, I have been truly blessed to find my way to sobriety and I hope you will appreciate that since I'm not near the threat I used to be.
When I'm driving I drive. When I'm playing I play. Those who choose high risk behavior get different results out of life. Incredible luck, good or bad, await those who dance on the rim. ----------
I did play harp in a traffic jam here or there but soon left it behind. I have 45 years of practice behind me and do fairly well, having not used drive time to play. I did drink behind the wheel for a time and smoked even longer. Cell phone conversations as well. Last year I towed a 28' travel trailer across the USA and back for 8 months, and doing that will change your perspective for sure. When the phone buzzed my navigator/wife took care of it and if need be we pulled into a rest area to call back.
As a kid I thumbed rides across the nation as well. It was the 70's and anything was possible. I saw guys behind the wheel of semi trucks do some of the craziest shit you can imagine. Luckily I was never in one where the driver paid the consequences of idiotic behavior.
I don't drink or smoke these days, I have been truly blessed to find my way to sobriety and I hope you will appreciate that since I'm not near the threat I used to be.
When I'm driving I drive. When I'm playing I play. Those who choose high risk behavior get different results out of life. Incredible luck, good or bad, await those who dance on the rim. ----------
From the National Safety Council on the page regarding Distracted Driving:
"Brief Data Details More than 90% of car crashes involve human error*. Being an attentive and alert driver can help prevent crashes that lead to unintentional injury and death. With the rapid adoption of smartphones in the United States, distracted driving has become a hot topic in traffic safety. While cell phones and navigation devices often are the culprit when it comes to distracted driving, conventional distractions, such as interacting with passengers and eating, also contribute to crashes. Distracting tasks can affect drivers in different ways and can be categorized as visual, manual, and cognitive distraction.
In 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 3,450 people died in distraction-affected crashes. This is a decrease of less than 1% from 3,477 deaths in 2015. About 391,000 additional people were injured in distraction-affected crashes in 2015, down from 431,000 in 2014. See Data Details to understand the data limitations and potential underestimation of the number distracted-affected crashes.
Source: Singh, S. (2018, March). Critical reasons for crashes investigated in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey. (Traffic Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 812 506). Washington, DC: NHTSA....Source: NHTSA. (2017 – 2018). Distracted Driving 2015 and 2016: Traffic Safety Facts Research Notes."
This web page always has some appalling statistics of the percentage of traffic accidents that occured due to Distracted Driving.
Here is the address . The information is distressing and shows that distracted drivers are a menace to themselves, other drivers and pedestrians no less than drunk drivers are.
Someone who is playing harmonica as they drive is no less distracted than a cell phone user, a texter, a drunk driver, and is no less a danger. It is high risk behavior that needs to be discouraged, either with education, legislation and by fantastically inconvenient penalities to keep offenders from repeating the offense. It has nothing to do with practicing , improving technique, or anything harmonica related. It's about not being a danger to the world around you . Don't drink and drive, don't use cellphone or text and drive, do not play musical instruments when you drive.
Ted burke nailed it. Distracted driving is dangerous to yourself and others. You can lie to yourself all you want, but don't endanger me or my loved ones.
Thanks Ted. Pardon my strong opinion on this, but anyone who drives distracted is a very dangerous asshole. And potentially a lethal asshole. When I lived & cycled in SW London (and Richmond Park & Surry Hills) the laws & police seemed to be on my side. A UK driver who gets caught on his/her phone will suffer legal & financial consequences. That made me feel sorta safe.
But after returning to the USA/SoCal in 2012 I discovered that the car is the king. The penalties for distracted driving are minimal at best, and the police can’t be arsed to enforce them. I cycle-commuted here for 4 years and saw so much egregiously dangerous driving behavior that I’ve been frightened into giving up cycling for good - there won’t be a white bike on the side of the road for me!
So let me say it again - if you drive distracted you are an asshole. Full stop. Don’t be one! No matter how good a Harper you are, you’re a shitty driver when you try to do both. Play yer harp somewhere else. Please & thanks.
Last Edited by Sundancer on Aug 19, 2018 9:13 PM
Sometimes I find myself sitting at long traffic lights, and sometimes Dallas traffic simply stops or creeps along intermittently, stop & go for 5 miles. These are very good times to play harmonica. It has a calming effect that lowers my blood pressure and wards off road rage. I doubt anyone's life is in danger.
.......The hypocrisy is rife in this thread Lmfao!!!!!
......I’ll also (falsely) assume that the same hypocrites NEVER speed(or drive too slow), always have both hands on the steering wheel at ALL times while the vehicle is in motion, come to a complete stop at every stop sign they have ever encountered, never accelerated to get through a yellow light, always use proper turn signals, obey all hazard signs and appropriate traffic laws, never tailgate, never brakecheck, have never changed the station on the radio while driving, always make sure that each and every passenger, including themselves wear seatbelts, make sure to check proper tire pressure every week, follow all the necessary fluid/oil changes per the drivers car manual, and properly rotate, balance, and measure tire tread-depth with an officially endorsed and licensed tire gauge, plug a tire when patch repair is needed, or patch tire when puncture occurs on tire side-wall, ensure all automotive sensors (including but not limited) to brake lights, reverse/turn signal lights, ever had even just 1 beer at dinner and drove home (which would have MOST individuals close/over legal driving limit) etc, etc, etc
If you have ever committed just ONE of these infractions than you are STATISTICALLY MUCH MORE likely to kill yourself and/or someone else MUCH more than you ever would playing a $&!? 4 draw bend :(
Let the hypocrisy continue my friends. I’ll just watch from the side-lines :)
CarlA, no one drives in perfect harmony with all safety requirements, of course, but what we're discussing here is something very particular, having both hands on the wheel, your full attention on the road you're driving and not the person on the phone , not the text your trying to write, or the harmonica you're trying to practice your riffs on. Using a phone, texting and playing a harmonica while driving with one hand constitutes distracted driving, and it is a leading cause of accidents, injury and death. Playing while driving is distracted driving, dangerous by definition. Driving and playing harmonica at the same time IS NOT OKAY. It's not hypocritical to point this out.
Curtis, the thrust of this discussion is that we would like you to live long enough to be a senior citizen and not die because you decided to drive dangerously.
Last Edited by ted burke on Aug 20, 2018 10:14 AM
If using a phone via headset or bluetooth connection to a car is legal (as it should be, unless you want to also villify talking to the passenger as a crucial attention drain) would playing harp in a rack satisfy the nannies?
I hate this sanctimonious & holier than thou crap. The "I'm right and you should be shot" shit!
All started by a guy with just the one post!
Anyone in NSW's Australia, just be aware that technically you can be booked for distracted driving for simply picking your nose. Anything that requires you to take one hand off the wheel and you can be booked!
To be fair I don't think expecting people to try and drive safely is really 'holier than thou' and the guy did ask what people think..... ---------- Harpeaux Edwards
I do frequently,when I'm not flossing,drinking a cup of coffee or reading the map etc. True I don't drive wearing roller skates anymore. I figure over here in the states someone will just shoot me if they feel endangered... Only kidding...maybe...
Playing harp while driving is certainly a distraction. For the safety of myself and others, I opt to only play guitar or bassoon when behind the wheel.
I rarely do this while simultaneously eating, drinking, smoking, texting, or fiddling with multiple Rubik's Cubes. That wouldn't be prudent. ----------
"Humor is always the first victim of political correctness."
Last Edited by Rontana on Aug 20, 2018 4:11 AM
Hey Curtis....ok, you like to practice while driving...however, posting an example on youtube may come in handy to whomever you potentially involve in a car accident as far as "evidence" as to who is at fault... ---------- The Iceman
This HWD topic has come up before. My thoughts and practices have been flatly stated and don't need to be rehashed here.
Driving is a privilege, not a right. And, placing or allowing yourself or your loved ones in proximity to the risk of being "impacted" by a motor vehicle is also a choice.
I'm out there. I routinely hurtle down the highway in a 1 ton diesel truck as I crisscross the USA hauling myself and my work equipment to all corners of the country. I regularly do this while one hand is holding a ten-hole, non-buttoned harp up to my mouth. So are those with a cigarette on in one hand, those dialing a phone, and those entering a destination into a GPS.
And, if I'm on the interstate with barely 15 degrees of heading change in my future for the next 5 hours, there are times I also have a mic running to a 12vdc Pignose that is powered from my lighter plug.
Do I do this on the urban streets of a major traffic network like one would find in London? I haven't. But that too would be my judgement call. If the Gummint doesn't like it, they will draft and pass some manner of layered legislation against the practice, and then law enforcement will endeavor to use that law to stop me. Or, they won't ever come across me engaged in this practice.
If you feel that I am endangering you, stay off the roads (or sidewalks). That is a judgement call and choice on your part. If you feel I'm an asshole, that's your prerogative as well. Articulating this opinion of me is also still a right that we enjoy.
Maybe I am an irresponsible and reckless asshole for what I do. The law might eventually stop me. Your demanding sanctimony certainly won't.
I'm out there. Avoid all paved (and some unpaved) surfaces and you'll reduce your risk.
Stay in the house behind your computer.
---------- ~Buzadero Underwater Janitor, Patriot MBH poseur since 11Nov2008
This is a recurrent debate, over and over and over...
A discussion of this (with perhaps a little less venom and self righteousness) might be productive in raising awareness and encouraging people to thoughtfully consider behavioral risks.
Years ago on long trips I occasionally would play harp while traveling on long stretches of low traffic, level, straight, Illinois interstate highways, with no passengers in the vehicle. I did not endanger other vehicles, stopping my playing when any other vehicles were near. I had no near misses indicating I was endangering anyone, and stayed safely in my lane.
The Iceman is correct that your attention being divided results in inefficiencies in both practice and driving.
After driving past my exit on one trip, I stopped playing while driving and have never resumed. It wasn't that I had endangered anyone, it was just not productive in practice or reaching my destination.
If we really want to stop distracted driving, we should ban the transportation of children in vehicles unless a caretaker other than the driver is present. Kids in the back seat are much more distracting than playing a harp in the car alone when no other vehicles are near. I know this from personal experience.
If no vehicles are near you and you remain safely in your lane at all times on a restricted access highway, it is not that dangerous to play behind the wheel. If you play while navigating in traffic, you are taking a foolish unnecessary risk endangering yourself and others for very little potential gain. You should be ticketed, because it is a dangerous behavior.
This issue (as is the case with many other issues in this world) is not an EITHER/OR, YES/NO issue. There are many shades between the extremes.
Life presents us with many choices of varying risk to ourselves and to others.
As adults we get to make the choices and accept responsibility for our choices.
Blanket vehement condemnations are generally not productive in inducing change in others, just in raising the ire of those being criticized. ----------
I don't disagree with what was posted. It is a distraction and some localities have laws against playing a musical instrument while driving. Having driven and played for almost 50 years without an accident doesn't mean it's a good idea. I was amused when someone told me about playing amplified harp while driving - mic and harp in hand, battery powered amp in the back seat. Really?!?
But to reinforce the preceding Jim Morrison quote (he died in his bathtub of congestive heart failure while doing heroin and attempting to play harmonica - a bad combo) I will quote the words of the Insurance Information Institute's foremost authority on distracted driving, Dr. Aaron (T-Bone) Walker: "Have fun while you can, fate's an awful thing You can't tell what might happen, that's why I love to sing."
I spoke from my own experience. The same reason I would not drive stoned or drunk, or doing makeup, or eating a burrito, texting, or chatting on the cell phone, applies here. No, I'm not lily white, I sometimes slap a cd in the player or uncap a Mt. Dew and take a swig, but sustained inattention while I'm driving a 2 ton pickup truck is a different category. To me there is an implied contract and responsibility when you earn a drivers' license, that you will abide by laws and use more than mere common sense when behind the wheel. That's up there past firearm safety to me since there are so many more drivers on the roads, and more innocents close by than say out hunting or at a shooting range. And firearm safety is to me a huge responsibility.
I believe the originator of this post had no idea he was swatting the hornet's nest bringing this up- again. Those of us who have been at this joint a long time also have a responsibility, to be fair, not vindictive, but to express our opinions with respect. This I try to do. Anything less puts me in a category of problem and not solution. I did not join here to get in arguments. This forum is important as a resource for aspiring harp players. It's not a place to vent one's spleen. 99% of the time we as a whole do a great job of staying calm and focused.
Those of you who do one more irresponsible thing behind the wheel, I just hope I see you coming so I can pull over. ----------
CarlA, on the speed of traffic specifically, studies show that moving with the flow of the traffic is more important than obeying the speed limit for safety.
Personally, I used to eat and drink beverages in the car until I saw the traffic safety numbers on it. I think I obey pretty much all the suggested driving safety rules for follow distance and such. Sure, I've made mistakes... it's hard when you are concentrating on finding someplace to not switch lanes too quickly sometimes to get over for your turn... too much attention on how late you are going to be combined with too much attention on where you are and not enough on the cars around you... I've been known to tap my brakes to let someone know they are following too close, but I'll do it three or four times just to show my lights before I'll actually slow down. (My brother used to be really good at adjusting the passenger seat visor mirror to get them in the face... that was probably a bit much!)
But yeah, let's be civil about this everyone. It is an important issue but name calling never changed anyone's mind. Personally, I've lost family to crashes, so maybe I'm hypervigilant about it. It 10 years the new cars won't let us drive and we'll have both hands free for playing harmonica.
I wonder what the MBH consensus on receiving BJ’s while driving is? This thread is sure to “blow-up” now! This can become the next “sticky” topic! Let’s please not “blow our heads” over this topic! No “hard” responses please!
Last Edited by CarlA on Aug 20, 2018 5:31 PM
Well, I did wonder if people played harp while driving, and I guess I got my answer.
Just so you all know I’m 33 and I just started learning harmonica a year or ago and I basically learned from YOU GUYS, truly. My inspiration to play came purely from online/YouTube resources. It’s a strange thing to have the people you strive to play like and the people you look up to calling you a “goddamned asshole” and telling me I’m a piece of shit, etc. Very strange thing, honestly.
I bet a lot of you guys just came from SPAH right? Isn’t that all about the “Advancement of the Harmonica”? Like, passing it on to further generations and whatnot. Honestly, I’m not feeling very inspired right now to further immerse myself in the harmonica world.
Curtis, I have started threads here with good intentions that got waylayed and became so off topic and nasty that I just laughed at it. You learn which members posts to take with a grain of salt.
As for your questions, I too got a harp and soon after headed off on a road trip. I bent my first notes while driving, but soon realized that when I was playing basically blacked out. I put so much mental focus on the music that I have to keep my car harmonica in the glove box.
I clicked on the link. I really like the multi-instrumental approach! You have all of the bases covered.
What constitutes a "distraction" is very subjective. At least if you drop your harp in your lap your pants won't catch fire or give you a bad coffee stain. All of the latest innovations being concocted by the auto manufacturers can easily be labeled as distractions: the integrated dash replete with GPS, satellite radio, and a list of all of the restaurants that match your choice of cuisine within a certain mileage radius. Add to that cameras and idiot lights flashing at you to let you know your tires are underinflated and you're 10 miles over the recommended limit of mileage from your last oil change, and who knows what else will be coming down the pike in the 2019 models, and you have the complete recipe for distracted driving. And what about the kids acting up in the back seat...that one managed to get my oldest daughter a broken nose from a deployed air bag as a passenger. The list of possible distractions are nearly endless. I had an aunt who totaled her vehicle when she reached down to pick up her handbag that had dropped off the seat.
While distracted driving is listed as the number one cause for car accidents, at the top of that list you'll find cell phone usage, texting, smoking, eating and drinking. Smokers increase their risk of having an accident by 50%. And as for those of you who believe in having both hands on the steering wheel at all times, make sure you purchase a vehicle with automatic transmission, no radio or GPS, no cigarette lighter or power port, heat, AC, lights, directional signals that all work without your having to touch a single button or dial...in other words, it is impossible to drive with both hands on the wheel at all times. And be sure you never sneeze since, if you're normal, you'll close both your eyes when you do.
Me, I'm for getting along. I'm not a name caller and if you remember who the hot heads are, Curtis, you will know who to pay attention to in future. You've never seen me on YT driving and playing. I encourage anyone new to take advantage of the wealth of information here and leave the dross behind.
Camp fires, back porches, living rooms, PARKED cars, open mics and jams, all are better places to practice. Bedrooms. Motel rooms. Fire trails in the woods. Lake shores. Creek banks. I've been at all of these. Ultimately the best is to work with other musicians and accept the challenges this presents. If we surround ourselves with those who are better at music than we are we must then grow to match up. It's a real benefit.
Raven, some of us either preset stuff like CD players(3 disc changer), heat/air, etc. BEFORE we hit the road. We change stuff at rest stops or have our navigator deal with whatever is not actual driving. I quit smoking 7+ years ago and am grateful for that on many levels. Clean/sober for over 31 years.
I'm ignoring this thread from this point on. To me there's nothing else I can add ----------
Curtis, most of us here are just disagreeing with you on a point, not making it personal. I've called people out for going over the line about getting into name calling. Don't take it personally and let me know if anyone else goes from disagreeing to name calling and I'll deal with it. It is an issue that gets people riled up.
Those people who are calling people assholes need to remember the forum rules.
I'm of the opinion that you can play while driving without being an A-hole. In fact, I'm pretty sure playing while driving has prevented me from falling asleep and having accidents during long drives late at night.
For instance, I have been driving a long time and am capable of determining when it's safe to play some harp while on the road, for example when on a long straight stretch of road without a lot of traffic. I wouldn't do this while driving downtown, and I don't take my eyes off the road. Also, it's not really focused practice time as I prioritize driving over playing.
So I'd say I have driven tens of thousands of miles while driving over the past 20 years with no accidents or incidents, and if that makes me an A-hole, then sorry, hahaha.
“Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk? His whole abdomen would move up and down you dig farting out the words. It was unlike anything I ever heard.
This ass talk had sort of a gut frequency. It hit you right down there like you gotta go. You know when the old colon gives you the elbow and it feels sorta cold inside, and you know all you have to do is turn loose? Well this talking hit you right down there, a bubbly, thick stagnant sound, a sound you could smell.
This man worked for a carnival you dig, and to start with it was like a novelty ventriliquist act. Real funny, too, at first. He had a number he called “The Better ‘Ole” that was a scream, I tell you. I forget most of it but it was clever. Like, “Oh I say, are you still down there, old thing?”
“Nah I had to go relieve myself.”
After a while the ass start talking on its own. He would go in without anything prepared and his ass would ad-lib and toss the gags back at him every time.
Then it developed sort of teeth-like little raspy in-curving hooks and started eating. He thought this was cute at first and built an act around it, but the asshole would eat its way through his pants and start talking on the street, shouting out it wanted equal rights. It would get drunk, too, and have crying jags nobody loved it and it wanted to be kissed same as any other mouth. Finally it talked all the time day and night, you could hear him for blocks screaming at it to shut up, and beating it with his fist, and sticking candles up it, but nothing did any good and the asshole said to him: “It’s you who will shut up in the end. Not me. Because we dont need you around here any more. I can talk and eat and shit.”
After that he began waking up in the morning with a transparent jelly like a tadpole’s tail all over his mouth. This jelly was what the scientists call un-D.T., Undifferentiated Tissue, which can grow into any kind of flesh on the human body. He would tear it off his mouth and the pieces would stick to his hands like burning gasoline jelly and grow there, grow anywhere on him a glob of it fell. So finally his mouth sealed over, and the whole head would have have amputated spontaneous — (did you know there is a condition occurs in parts of Africa and only among Negroes where the little toe amputates spontaneously?) — except for the eyes you dig. Thats one thing the asshole couldn’t do was see. It needed the eyes. But nerve connections were blocked and infiltrated and atrophied so the brain couldn’t give orders any more. It was trapped in the skull, sealed off. For a while you could see the silent, helpless suffering of the brain behind the eyes, then finally the brain must have died, because the eyes went out, and there was no more feeling in them than a crab’s eyes on the end of a stalk.”
- William S Burroughs, The Naked Lunch
Last Edited by SuperBee on Aug 21, 2018 5:35 AM
Hey fellow harpers - evidently the tone of my post didn’t achieve unanimous approval from the membership Oh well. I’m an amateur at social media. No offense intended to safe drivers.
But I wanted to let y’all know that there has been an unanticipated positive from my post. Yesterday I received a phone call from Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Yep, you read that right. The spokesperson for the President rang me. And thanked me profusely on behalf of the POTUS. For creating this little tempest in a teapot amongst the members of modernbluesharmonica.com and diverting their attention away from all the fake news that has been bedeviling the President lately - the Mueller investigation. The Manafort trial. The reduction of pollution standards for autos & coal plants. Job losses from tariffs. The Brennan security clearance. Stormy Daniels. Melania’s stance on hostile social media. The list of fake news goes on ... and on.
Funny how life is like that sometimes. Sarah suggested that I help out like this periodically when fake news is taking over from the truth. Which is no longer the truth anymore anyway. So I’m gonna create a political support group known as MAMA. Make America Musical Again. It ought to be a winner - think of all the people who already have those initials tattooed on their arms! Maybe some are even members of this forum. MAMA will be ready to support POTUS when fake news rears its ugly head. But to set your minds at ease, MAMA will take no formal position on harping & driving. Informally MAMA is a big advocate of 3rd position though.
MAMA says be safe. Adios.
Last Edited by Sundancer on Aug 21, 2018 10:58 AM
Curtis, congrats on making it to year one with the harmonica. I know a lot of people start but don’t stick with it (they thought is going to be easy)
I like your comebacks to some folks that used your question to do some bashing. But in their defense you also asked “What do you think”.
Anyway yes, a lot of musicians play while driving. Add me to that list, including a trumpet mouthpiece. But, I am selective about where, when, and what I play while driving. It’s over a mile from my house to pavement and I drive a lot of vacant country roads, if I am alone I generally play. If I am driving in traffic I do not play (unless I’m stopped at construction…). Not because I feel distracted while doing it but because it might be misunderstood by other drivers that see me.
It is divided attention for sure, but so is whistling, singing, talking… or worse yet sipping coffee, tuning the radio, taking in the scenery, or thinking about work…
Legally, driving with one hand is fine. Many jurisdictions have specific laws for handing “electronic devices”. There is a lot of justified support for those laws and the definitions are usually a simple fact. A charge of “distraction” for playing a harmonica (like eating) while driving would be arguable in court. I would not be surprised of the outcome either way and suspect “conditions” would be a key point. Driving with your knees or elbows, while practicing your hand techniques is more likely “careless driving”. As a retired member of law enforcement I have written and presented a good number of “careless” citations but zero for “distraction”.
Am I a safer driver when I play? Well, there is no question that I am a calmer and more patient driver. The other day someone roared up on me where 2 lanes turn to 1 on the way out of town. The driver was forcing a dangerous merge from the right lane. I slowed down to avoid an accident and he used part of the shoulder to pass me on the right (where’s a cop when you need one). I thought about tailgating his ass and then noticed he had kids in the car. I waited until the car was nearly out of sight then pulled a Seydel out of my cup holder and I was instantly over it.
I’m happy to share the road with you and the other harp players just don’t be one of the thousands of drivers that are right now cutting people off and changing lanes every quarter mile so they can get somewhere 20 feet ahead of the next guy.
Some of my best sessions are while driving. I have a tractor and a lot of field to mow. It’s a challenge to play blow only notes when the dust gets bad.
