The Iceman
338 posts
Jun 06, 2012
6:09 PM
|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
----------
The Iceman
|
TheoBurke
18 posts
Jun 06, 2012
7:53 PM
|
Popper is a distinct harmonica player, but he is not, I don't think, one of the "best in the world" as his self-introduction suggests. I wonder why he put it out there in the first place.
----------
Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
www.ted-burke.com
Last Edited by on Jun 06, 2012 7:54 PM
|
nacoran
5797 posts
Jun 06, 2012
9:49 PM
|
It depends on how big a group you define as the best, I guess. To borrow from the political parlance, he's probably part of the 1%.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
HarpNinja
2511 posts
Jun 07, 2012
8:19 AM
|
@Theo
Did you even listen to the intro? "Arguably one of the best...", "there can never be a best..."
He obviously made those comments to frame the lesson series as suggested by the company paying him to do the lessons. It is all geared towards beginners and the intro, which repeats on all the lessons, takes a few seconds to frame who is giving the advice.
I don't know what the technical qualifiers are of best, and the phrase "arguably" makes it very vague in fact - the mere equivalent of saying you're recognized as being a good player as far as known players.
Playing a totally original style in one of the most popular harmonica-fronted bands in the entire world for 25 years while selling millions of records, influencing thousands of harp players, and being easily recongnizable in the mainstream probably lends enough cred to say "arguably".
I mean really, all arguably means is that some people would consider him "the best", which is, in fact true.
The Marine Band is arguably the best harmonica in the world. While I don't agree with that opinion, it is a fact that it is arguably the best harmonica in the world as others would defend that claim.
----------
Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
|
TheoBurke
19 posts
Jun 07, 2012
12:46 PM
|
@HARPNINJA:Yes, HJ, I listened to the introduction to the lesson and listened to many times at the start of every video lesson that was posted with him in it. Although he tried to qualify the statement with the word "arguably" and then backing off with the "there can never a best.." remark, it is odd and off putting that the subject of how good he is in world of professional harmonica players should come out of his mouth. It opens him to criticism he doesn't need and creates arguments among fans that need not happen. I do agree with his self appraisal of being "pretty damn good". No brag, just fact, good and unique. But not the best.
----------
Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
www.ted-burke.com
|
nacoran
5804 posts
Jun 07, 2012
1:41 PM
|
Theo, that's one of the oldest stylistic arguments in showbiz! Do you say you are the best? Do you try to represent yourself as exactly what you are? False modesty? Nervously apologize? People fall all over the spectrum on this. For every person who gets upset with your bravado another one will except it at face value. Me personally, I grew up in what I guess I'd call a cut down, don't get to big for your britches circle. My friends and I would always bust on anyone who bragged, even when they really were as good as they were bragging. I've seen other people who were all about building each other up with praise or bragging as a contest to see who could brag the best (see also gangsta rap, although not just rap, the lead singer from Oasis compared his band to The Beatles).
I think maybe it's more acceptable when it's coming from someone who looks the part. A lanky sex symbol type can pull it off better than a pudgy guy like Popper. :)
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
bluemoose
756 posts
Jun 07, 2012
2:43 PM
|
Love the little wink he gives you at the end of the intro bit. ;)
Have a listen to a few of his vids. How to rock a solo, take your playing to the next level have some some interesting ideas.
Concepts of bending and overblows...not so interesting.
He's actually quite funny and drops several good lines about how bad you will sound while learning.
"How to Survive a Tour Bus" is a classic. Others, not so much.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
|
atty1chgo
359 posts
Jun 07, 2012
2:58 PM
|
Not close to the best, I thought it was a bit pompous. Blues Traveler was not successful just because of the harp playing. In fact, except for their fans, there are probably people who just listen to him that don't even know what instrument Popper is playing. I consider his music entertaining. At least it's not The Dave Matthews Band, who have been stealing from the public for many years. But there are many rock fans who would never pay attention to the harmonica if not for John Popper, so that is an accomplishment.
Last Edited by on Jun 07, 2012 2:59 PM
|
TheoBurke
21 posts
Jun 07, 2012
3:21 PM
|
@nacoran: I don't bring my playing up in conversation if the topic happens to be who is the best player in the room, or the world for that matter. I did say that I think Popper's later remark that he's "pretty damned good" was on the money, as it has the dual graces of modesty and that he won't effect false modesty. No brag, just fact. Even with the "arguably" qualifier, it is a way to get his name mentioned in the company of other great players. It is just unseemly.
----------
Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
www.ted-burke.com
|
Miles Dewar
1271 posts
Jun 07, 2012
3:41 PM
|
John Popper is Far from the best Blues harmonica player in the world. He will have to do more Rossanne episodes to get there.
|
groyster1
1902 posts
Jun 07, 2012
6:15 PM
|
@Miles
no he is not a blues harp blower....flash yes absolutely....but blues no wayIMHO
|
The Iceman
340 posts
Jun 08, 2012
5:48 AM
|
I don't have a problem with John's playing harmonica the way he does. It certainly is original.
I was amused by the "best in the world" comment, which, for a teaching video, is not really that necessary.
Do you really think he was an effective teacher for a beginner? I don't feel what he offered was that clear and truly helpful, but then again, I teach harmonica in a well structured sense.
----------
The Iceman
|
HarpNinja
2516 posts
Jun 08, 2012
6:29 AM
|
Is anyone considering the context? John didn't produce these videos. They come from HowCast (http://www.howcast.com/). HowCast bills itself as the best source for fun, free, and useful how-to videos and guides.
Featured topics on the site right now are male grooming, making kids' birthday cakes, how to make pop-up cards, and how to play bass.
I am sure someone suggested they do a harp series, they thought of a famous harp player, and asked him to answer a few questions. I am sure it was largely improvised, and I gather it was aimed at people brand new to the topic to maybe having some background.
I found them to be very entertaining...which is really the main idea behind their resources.
----------
Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
|
MN
145 posts
Jun 08, 2012
7:40 AM
|
>>>>>"Do you really think he was an effective teacher for a beginner? I don't feel what he offered was that clear and truly helpful ..."
=================
No. As instruction, these videos stink. They're entertaining for Popper or BT fans, however, and certainly worth what we paid for them.
MN
Last Edited by on Jun 08, 2012 7:57 AM
|
