This is like the beginning of Rick Estrin's video ... without Rick Estrin. You wouldn't get this with any other instrument - why pick on the harp? Someone should do a spoof version of this, only with a guitar, or spoons.
This guy is wrong on so many levels. Can't play and doesn't know what the hell he is talking about. What goes through someone like this' head? Painful to watch. In typical internet fashion, he'll soon have an avid following of dedicated disciples.
Agreed. I've done a quick check. Bill Holland is a producer/editor for GearWire. It's clear that when other instruments and their gear are being demoed, GearWire gets video personalities who actually play the instruments in question, instead of brutalizing them.
With harmonica, though, it's the same old minstrel show. I have nothing against advanced beginners--hey, I sell them lots of videos and tabs!--but I don't think they should pose as experts, or as adequately-skilled surrogates capable of helping innocents distinguish between the fine points of different harps.
Memo to Bill: it's your embouchure, not the harp.
I'd be delighted to put my own prestige and the reputation of this website on the line for this. Please tell me what our collective response should be and I will do my best to communicate it to Mr. Holland.
Should I, for example, upload a GearWire spoof video in which I manifest the same ignorance towards "gear," broadly conceived, that Holland does towards harmonicas?
You tell me. A dozen angry emails from us won't really drive the point home. But a spoof video, using exactly the same search terms as Holland's video, will show up next to his video.
Somebody start by finding and posting his email. I need to know who to send the YouTube spoof-video link to.
It's harlious and painful. What a ponce! Or is it Andy Kaufmanist?! It reminds of some of those "shredding" videos on youtube of santana and clapton overdubbed playing like crap!
My suggestion is send him a smoking video by a 10 year old prodigy.
Jodanchudan, I think spoons have some great comedic potential if you do it deadpan. Discuss the merits of silver vs. stainless, then soup spoons vs. table spoons vs. exotic spoons like ladles. Finish up by discussing grape fruit spoons, commenting that you don't really like them, because they are always a little sharp! You could discuss how the letter engraved on the spoon wasn't traditionally a family initial, but started off as the key of the spoon.
---------- Nate Facebook Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
Last Edited by on Apr 16, 2011 11:55 AM
Thank God somebody who makes sense! You guys and all of your crazy advice! All I needed was these vids to get it right. Tone for days... I think I need to go get me an orchestral harp.... Do you know if this guy has a forum?
I was at a conference after-party and there was a blues band. I talked a bit with them, mentioned I played harp. He said if I see him later, he would call me up. A day later I go to that party with a harp, ready to jam, avoided drinking. I knew I could do at least a few tunes well, since a crowd of peers seemed almost overly excited upon hearing my playing (not many people have been exposed to blues harp!)
Turns out that some guy played harp with the band an hour or so before I got there. I saw the guy and started talking to him, asked what he played with the band. "I just played man, I can just go up there and play blues," he exclaimed. He then gave me a sampler; he sounded exactly like Bill Holland! To my disappointment, the band didn't call me up, but I respect their decision - why take a chance with a harp player after that!?
Hang on a minute . . . Overbending is just a case of drawing/blowing so hard my eyebrows meet my hairline, my clean single note goes to shit and my tone becomes stupidly thin???
I don't know what you pussies are always moaning about, I've been overbending for fricking ages!
Edit: sorry, just watched the second video. He must be joking right? I leant more from the Zingillas than I did from him!
"That's the blues Tang, That IS the blues!". Gotta love a bit of Zingzillas!
Last Edited by on Apr 16, 2011 3:01 PM
Too funny, I was laughing my ass off that this pin head thinks he's "teaching harmonica". I am however, as a beginner at harp, past getting offended that the harp is always portrayed in this "minstrel"-y way.
The last time I posted on this subject, it was regarding an ongoing bit on the late night Craig Ferguson Show (CBS), whereupon at the end of each guest's appearance, Craig offers them the choice between playing a little harp or a moment of awkward silence as an outro (since he has no studio band). Needless to say, they butcher the harp...and everyone has a good laugh. (note: Ferguson can't play either)
I was outraged at the time, came on here and posted about it, looking for a little sympathy. Barbeque Bob promptly responded that it was all our fault, as most harp players don't take the instrument seriously enough to learn music theory, and so we all get what we deserve. End of me giving a shit...or at least posting about it, well except for now.
On the subject of a "parody" video of Gearwire, I love the idea. But if somebody does it.. go all out. Put the bald cap and glasses on and try to look just like this doofus as much as possible. Maybe sit down at the piano and explain "this is a piano key...touch it and it makes a noise!!!!" or some such nonsense. Maybe you can portray him explaining painting with all types of sophisiticated concepts and then you turn the easel around and you've drawn stick figures.
Call it: Tool Wire
Last Edited by on Apr 16, 2011 4:48 PM
I say bring on the crappy harp players because it will just make a good player stand out that much more to the average joe listener. I don't take offense to all this harp stuff I see posted on forums about how the harp is disrespected by the masses. Once you get good on your instrument that says it all and the top musicians/listeners know what it can sound like in the right hands. So, to t he average Joe it can only make your playing shine more! Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
Here are a few comments posted in response to that video:
The next "key" in the scale? blowing into the first position? bending is about circular breathing? overblows are? just blow notes played harder? The lack of musical and harmonica knowledge and ability shown here are just embarrassing.
TheBroughtonClan 1 hour ago Unblock UserI'm sorry to say it, but this is just a terrible video. "draw" and "blow" are the correct terms, not "pull" and "push", just to add to the previous comments. You really need to learn to play harp and get your facts straight before making videos. You're doing more harm than? good for all the beginners out there.
OzarkRich 2 hours ago My boyfriend sounded better than this the first time he ever picked up a harp. In fact, I could probably fart into a harmonica and it would sound better than this. The only way this would summon "blues gods" is if they came back to smack you in the face.
Not to be a dream crusher or anything,? but maybe you should think about learning harp yourself before you try to teach others. Though they always say "those that can't do, teach"..
Please take this video down. You will poison the minds of beginner harmonica? players. Take lessons from a professional for a few years then make a video.
IceMaster932 5 hours ago
So don't worry about it folks. He's not fooling anybody. I would like to see a spoof video, though.
Edit: I just posted a comment thanking him for the "hilarious" video. ;)
Last Edited by on Apr 16, 2011 7:15 PM
For all we know, Mw. Holland may have been coerced into making those videos and may right now be curled up in a ball of shame and despair, gnawing at himself in anguish and periodically begging gearwire to take them down. Poor guy.
/You do all realise that after you post it, this exact conversation will appear on a forum for spoon players; right??/
Not really trying to defend his shambolic performance and lack of basic knowledge, but I just want to point out that Gearwire is not his site or forum - he's just one of their "expert" contributors (and his real expertise is actually in DJ and production gear)
