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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Check Out Rachelle!!!
Check Out Rachelle!!!
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ZackPomerleau
32 posts
Apr 18, 2009
10:06 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxj2gd-lIOE
I cannot believe how amazing a player she is, and her band playing Chameleon just blows me away. An amazing fusion/Jazz piece. They nailed it!!!
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Preston
283 posts
Apr 19, 2009
4:27 AM
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I'd hate like hell to hafta arm wrestler her. Did you see the guns on that gal when the camera zoomed in?
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Luiz
24 posts
Apr 19, 2009
4:54 AM
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I like her playing, Mercy Mercy Mercy was very very good in my opinion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNDmUP2Y5ys
She could have more action on the stage though, she just stands there and play, don't move or anything.
Last Edited by on Apr 19, 2009 5:29 AM
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Zhin
211 posts
Apr 19, 2009
5:01 AM
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Oh I like her playing. Checked out her videos before.
I admit I'm a dummy when it comes to jazz but I do think she's quite soulful! And the band is so in sync with each other! They are TIGHT. Potent combination.
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My Videos
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kudzurunner
366 posts
Apr 19, 2009
7:12 AM
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I'll admit that I'd never heard of Rachelle Plas before this thread. I'm very impressed. I'm not surprised to discover that she's French: she has that light quick attack, fearsome speed. I presume she's using overblows, although I haven't studied the videos long enough to be sure. Here's another in which she does Jason's version of "Mellow Down Easy," and easily keeps up with the very fast tempo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Q7qb0aYzc&feature=related
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Patrick Barker
236 posts
Apr 19, 2009
9:07 AM
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I particularly liked the keyboard solo- I know it's supposed to be about the harpist, but that solo was awesome.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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Christelle Berthon
9 posts
Apr 20, 2009
12:07 AM
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Yeah Rachelle IS the french harmonica superstar, she has everything for herself, talent, she's young, she's pretty, and she's well suported by her family.
I'm predicting that in 5 years from now I'll not be remembered, hidden by her light, I'll collapse in the shadow.
Last Edited by on Apr 20, 2009 12:08 AM
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Zhin
216 posts
Apr 20, 2009
7:34 PM
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And judging by those arms she trains a hell lot and works hard for what she earns. I can tell she's made a lot of sacrifices to get where she is.
Her youth and looks don't mean crap if she actually can't play the harp. Fact of the matter is SHE CAN. Not only with technique but musically she makes sense too. There's nothing wrong with a supportive family. Most of the Caucasian blues guys from the past were from supportive suburban families.
Take it easy Christelle, you're already a harmonica superstar yourself. I don't understand why you have to compare yourself to her or say such self-loathing things. It's obvious you both come from different backgrounds and people who are watching can appreciate these things.
You could change the way you think a little bit. Like maybe be proud of her for being a fellow female harp player from France?
I used to feel over-competetive about other Malaysian harp players but one day I realized, if it weren't for them, I probably would have a harder time looking for gigs to play. So I'm actually glad and thankful that there are others here.
Peace.
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ZackPomerleau
39 posts
Apr 20, 2009
8:28 PM
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Yeah Zhin, you're the only Malaysian Harmonica player I know...hahaha.
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Zhin
217 posts
Apr 20, 2009
8:36 PM
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Really Zack?
I noticed you know Ninjagaban on youtube. He's made it very obvious that he's Malaysian.
And you didn't know? :)
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ZackPomerleau
41 posts
Apr 20, 2009
8:49 PM
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I don't even remember watching his videos, if I ever did!
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Zhin
218 posts
Apr 20, 2009
9:18 PM
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Oh. I actually check out everyone who adds me as a friend and subscribes to me on youtube. It fascinates me.
He IS on yours. All I'm saying is, you DO know other Malaysian harmonica players.
Well, even if you're apparently not aware of it! lol
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Sifu
9 posts
Apr 21, 2009
11:28 AM
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I wanted to respond to what Christelle wrote here, by quoting something Adam wrote in another thread:
"This is why, for all the excitement I take in the emergence of talented younger players--some of whom even contribute to this board--I never confuse that excitement, or that raw talent, with the fruits of long experience and dues paid.
Chops, per se, mean nothing. In the blues world, "great promise" takes you only so far, then drops you into the real world. The slow, steady application of effort; the slow, steady, exhausting accumulation of life experience, gigs, heartbreaks, and stories, is what pays dividends in the long run. It's what shows up as the sort of musical maturity and solidity that can't be achieved any other way."
My life experience resonates strongly with what Adam is talking about here. Go to a really big martial arts tourney sometime. Watch the young and very talented artists demonstrate their formwork. It's full of technically difficult maneuvers, it's very fast; it's all very, very impressive. Then watch an older master who has been studying the same three forms for 40 years - see how he doesn't move that fast, but watch his intent, his power, his focus. Most of the crowd will be bored absolutely stiff by his performance, but the other masters watch raptly. His lifetime of work can be seen in what he does. (You KNOW he can move with lightning speed, but he doesn't show it off in his form - it is implied by everything else he does.) If I had to choose to fight either the older master who bores the audience, or the technically amazing young master who wows the audience, well...I'd take on the young master if my goal was to win.
In the martial arts, there is a saying that we peak at around age 60. Interestingly, I think this is approximately true of musicians as well - IF they keep working at it, and IF they don't just coast on what they've already learned.
I've just begun my study of the harp, but I refuse to impose limits on what I can achieve if I put my mind to it. Christelle, you are so much further along than I am. I think if your goal was to be the leading light of the harp in all of Europe, and you devoted yourself to that, you could achieve it. Of course, that may not be your goal. :) And that's cool - there is much in life. If you lived in my town, though, I'd take lessons with you in a heartbeat.
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Christelle Berthon
12 posts
Apr 21, 2009
11:47 PM
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Edited by the author after the disrespect from C.Michalek. That's my choice
Last Edited by on Apr 23, 2009 9:00 AM
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Zhin
224 posts
Apr 22, 2009
12:29 AM
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Christelle,
I understand all that.
I appreciate that you took your time to tell us all a little bit about your personal history. It's obvious you've had a hard time.
I'm glad you are trying to be as open as you can. For that, I know you wouldn't expect any less from me so I'm gonna be a little more bold about what I have to say.
I really hope that you understand that nobody really has it easier. Life is hard. We all work for something. I know a lot of people who are decades older than me... and I really listen to what they have to say since they have walked on this planet far longer than I have. Some over 80 who tell me the same damn thing that life ain't easy. It's not my opinion but theirs and I trust it. No one gets a free ticket. We all have to pay our dues one way or another.
The rich and priveleged can still contract diseases. They still age and die. They want to be God but can't. And a lot of them struggle their entire lives to earn the love and trust of their friends and family. The rich are still subjected by Earths natural laws. Accidents can happen. Rich and poor people can die for no good reason. Nobody has it easy.
And I do sympatize, I understand you've had it hard. I believe you in that respect.
But to say you are a beginner is a blatant lie.
There's no such thing as a beginner who charges $$ on Skype for harmonica lessons. On the MBH site, you're definately "beginner-advance" and beyond. There is no such thing as a beginner who can fluently play a variety of scales utilizing overblows. And no beginner can attract that many views and subscribers on Youtube. No beginner endorses gear as blatantly as you do with the Greg Hueman BlowsMeAway mics and Ben Bouman Beta Harps. Don't patronize my intelligence or anyone elses please. We're not stupid. To be realistic, you're an entry level pro.
Like it or not, that is how EVERYONE including your fans see you. You ARE some kind of PRO. NOT a beginner.
The reason why you DON'T feel like a pro is because you want to be a "master/mistress" or "expert" of the harmonica but it's obvious that you're not. And you know what? It's OK if you're not for the time being. Just accept and feel a little satisfied about being a pro within such a short span of time. And hope for more.
As bad as it is to brag about past achievements, it's just as bad not to acknowledge what you have achieved. And the only person who truly suffers for that is your own self. No one else.
In all honesty I think you ARE secretly happy and proud of being famous but afraid to actually admit it. Your previous videos showing off how many numbers you have proves that you're proud of yourself for getting famous. You weren't shy to point that camera on your big count. So please, be a little more honest.
And seriously, if you want to tour and play gigs 3-4 times a week you can already do it. You're just not letting yourself and making up excuses for yourself. You have the reputation, the resources, the special friends in the industry to help you...
So get out there and do it more frequently already!!
And put some videos up while you're at it. Even if it's just a jam studio take. Of course it would be even more awesome if you could post your actual gigs online. Your fans and people who know of you would DEFINATELY love to see CHQ @ Christelle Harp Queen out in the wild doing her wild things on the diatonic.
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Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2009 1:00 AM
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Buddha
281 posts
Apr 22, 2009
5:03 AM
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"This period last for 12 years where I didn't play a single note (I know C.Michalek will still not beleive me but I don't fucking care)."
I don't know what this is about but I don't care.
I also don't care about yours, or anybody else's past though I do understand how a person's past shapes how they are in the current moment.
What matters is how you are right now. You can't change the past and you can't control the future. There is NOTHING but this very moment everything else is either a memory or a dream.
What really bother me about you is your negativity, it's toxic and damaging.
"I'm predicting that in 5 years from now I'll not be remembered, hidden by her light, I'll collapse in the shadow."
Projecting that kind of negatively sucks the energy from other people because internally you're looking for validation from others. A statement like that is what I call Energy Vampire bait. You put a statement out there to receive positive energy... " OH Christelle, don't say that, you're way better than Rachelle, SHE's the one that will collapse in your light" I also noticed in many of your videos you make comments about how your are ugly etc... Comments like that damage YOU the most because YOU are projecting your future.
I think you're a wonderfully gifted person and you could make a mark on the harmonica world but you need to be honest with yourself. You need to accept who you are and walk in those shoes until they no longer fit due to your growth.
Zhin is right, you're not a beginner why would you claim such a thing? Who would want lessons from a beginner? And if you truly believe you are a beginner then why do you fight when true masters of the instrument give you advice?
The best advice I can give you is for you to change your internal dialogue to one that is positive. No more of this I am not pretty and I am just a beginner shit. Accept love and give it back, that is the way of the true path to mastery. Believe in yourself and enjoy your moment.
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ZackPomerleau
49 posts
Apr 22, 2009
9:01 AM
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Definitely not a beginner. I can't even do some of the stuff you do. Sure, I don't practice THAT much, but I play all the time, and only now have really gone into the 'lets do jazz' or whatever phase. You are a great player, and it seems Chris sees that, I know Jason does, I even see it. Someday I'll come to France and I'll want to visit, remember my heritage is there. But, at least call yourself an advanced intermediate!
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Sifu
10 posts
Apr 22, 2009
9:48 AM
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Chris is right about love, Christelle. He also seems to be an advocate of "tough love", which is the speaking the truth as he sees it 100% of the time.
The point I want to emphasize is that "the love" is out there. When people appreciate what you do, you make their lives better. So, dammit, it SHOULD be meaningful to you when you get positive feedback from YouTube and shows. It should MATTER to you, because it's evidence that you've lessened suffering in the world and/or added happiness. And there's nothing more important than that.
Edit: I don't mean that you should stake your own happiness on whether other people appreciate your work; just that it IS deeply meaningful when people are moved enough by your work to let you know. You talk about "feeling like a beginner". Try not to lose that. It'll keep you humble. My kids are getting older all the time, yet I always feel like a beginner. I feel like a beginner in the martial arts, too. I'm always seeing new things, always learning new things - but I don't let that feeling of newness and wonder undermine my confidence or my skill. That would be poisonous to me, and to my students.
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2009 10:02 AM
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