Leanground
47 posts
Feb 20, 2009
9:10 AM
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I've been playing for just a few years but have learned with my feet to the fire.
Yesterday,a good friend set it up for my friend and I to play for a 56 year old neighbor named Eddie who is confined to bed after surviving a horrific car wreck when he was 17. We played Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Blind Boy Fuller...old Delta Blues.We started to play and you could see his face relax into a faint smile well into "When You Got a Good Friend".
My friend's slide was sweet and haunting and his voice was resonant and sincere as he personalized the songs to Eddie.
Eddie loved the music and our gesture, and with tears in his eyes invited us back.
We all feel better having made the "effort"
I'm always striving to play better...it doesn't get better than that moment .
Last Edited by on Feb 20, 2009 2:21 PM
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mickil
38 posts
Feb 20, 2009
10:53 AM
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When I've been really down, I found that music and time were the only two things that could help fix the hole in my soul. Just immersing myself in the harp has helped. Like some guy on here says when quoting Nietzsche for his signature, "Without music, life would be a mistake." Nice story. No wonder people thought up music.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
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jbone
23 posts
Feb 20, 2009
1:25 PM
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try giving it up sometime. if you're like me at all, you can put it away for a short time but the dam things just begin whispering to you- "play meeeeeee, plaaaaayyyy mmeeeeeeee......"
and amazingly enough, many times after a break, i have made some sort of progress or other. connections in my brain are there that weren't before.
that was a sweet story L-g!
my wife and i play at the farmers market here in good weather and always get some great reaction from someone. from kids to octegenarians, we have folks swerve over and watch for a song or 2 or more. sometimes even drop a buck on us! but regardless of the $$, it's about the connection we make with other people.
one mother's day there was nothing going on at the market but we decided to go rehearse there anyway. and there was a homeless gal there who came over and nearly cried as she listened to Jolene sing some memphis minnie song as i accompanied her guitar on a harp. it's that sort of moment that keeps me doing this.
and many a time i have felt i had but one true friend, and it said Hohner on it someplace.
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snakes
99 posts
Feb 20, 2009
6:10 PM
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How touching. Such a good reminder to hear these stories and remember that this endeavor we all are partaking of with pleasure amidst hard work can actually be for some one else's benefit. I'll replay these stories in my mind the next time I'm in a playing rut and feel like I am unable to get better or if I am feeling poorly due to my lack of playing ability. I'll tell myself to keep on keepin' on on the slight chance that I may make some less fortunate person's day a better one through sharing music with them. Thanks for the share folks!
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SilasJackson
44 posts
Feb 21, 2009
12:00 AM
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Amazing Grace---that's the one that messes me up no mater the instrument or vocals.
Amen,
SJ
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mojojojo
14 posts
Feb 26, 2009
9:17 PM
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Sounds cliche but i never played and instrument in my life, but after a personal crisis i found a harp in my hand and it has helped keep me sane and upbeat. These days a lot of people are medicating their moods as ipod zombies. With harp i can make my own music, not just consume what the music industry puts out. Starting to collaborate is great for socializing as well.
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harmonicanick
160 posts
Feb 27, 2009
1:18 AM
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You never realise how much the blues harp is part of your everyday life until as jbone posts, you stop playing for a bit.
I got a nasty coughing virus 3 weeks ago and have not played at all..have a gig tomorrow, must do it!:-)
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