The odds are very very slim....prolly more like zero, as any real original music talent is going to go where the money is, and it sure aint in the harmonica no more
An interesting thread. I agree that "be yourself" is the way forward. However I also think that it's very important to study and imitate the greats at some point. I agree with what BBQ Bob wrote. I do think though that too much emphasis is placed on the "getting an original sound". I firmly believe that if you just keep on playing the damn thing then your sound will develop along with you. I personally think that Adam in particular is too angst ridden on the subject of originality. The main thing is that you enjoy playing music and focus on getting better at playing the harmonica in general. I wouldn't bother getting to hung up about getting an original sound or anything else for that matter. The only thing thing I'd recommend anybody to get hung up about is getting better. Listen to all the music you can as often as you can. Take the opportunity to play with as many musicians live as much as you can. Practice your weaknesses to try and make them into your strengths. Most of all though enjoy it, have fun. If it ain't fun then stop doing it for a while and do something else.
Most if not all good music,art, poetry is not completed until the late teens at the earliest.
An apprenticeship needs to be served, you don't just pick up an instrument and have your own voice. Vocalists don't wake up one day able to sing.
About 10 years worth of playing, gigging,practising before an instrument is even close to being learned, and a shit load more,before its mastered, if ever!
What do you play during (and after) this period ? Other peoples music. Music you like, music you want to play. Scales are just a guide,they don't make music,you have to assemble them.
I think if you picked up an instrument and only played your "own" music, no-one would ever learn anything as you'd get so bored, you'd never pick up an instrument again.
Its been said Little Walter, Bill Clarke and many, many more,if not all of the greats took influence from other instruments,but also other harp players.
Does this make them less great ? Does this mean ,they did not have there own voice? How can you have your own voice if you are copping from other musicians?
Personally, I WANT to sound like Bill Clarke, Rod Piazza, Paul Lamb, Little Walter, Big Walter,Kim Wilson,Gary Primich,Gary Smith.................etc
Why? Because they make the music I enjoy, and I want to play the music I enjoy.
Maybe one day, when I grow up, I'll develop an original voice too ;o)
Thank you all once again for so much great, heartfelt responses.
I wonder if there is some sort of top 10 or 20 list, that could be rendered and then used to ponder - Regarding (things that are necessary to accomplish) in order to realistically muster up having at your disposal "the magic of speaking in an original harmonica voice"
