saregapadanisa Sorry it hurt so bad. Your the first person that has ever said that. The instrument will always have those that are prejudiced towards it. To bad it's on a harmonica site. You may want to see a dentist about your teeth.LOL
Ok, Nacoran, I should have say "endure a concertina playing Bach".
I admit I was being a bit harsh (just a bit). The guy is obviously a competent player. The problem here is that he doesn't seem to understand the music he is playing, both in style and in esthetics. And That shows in the way he attacks the note, in his intonation, and (worst) the way he sustains. To me, it's just 18th century classical music played with mid-20th century pathos. Maybe free reeds instruments are not fit for baroque or early classical music, I don't know.
If you're interested in western classical written (that's the difference) for harmonica, there is a fine "garden concerto" for harmonica by Henri Sauguet, which I find interesting, among other works.
Diggsblue, thanks for the advice, but I forbid myself to go and see a dentist. Aching teeth make you play blues better ;-)
Sorry I couldn't find a period harmonica. Hand vibrato is standard for sustaining notes in classical music. I don't get your critique. Could you please post some of your music so I can see what you mean. Seems more like classical snobbery. Ran in to a few people like you in music school. Robert Bonfiglio had a few to.
This style of music has lasted over the centuries and will always endure. The harmonica is a great classical instrument in the right hands.
Modern Blues Harmonica it is not. But this shows how versatile the harp really is. And, I must admit that whilst I am not deeply into the classics I do love JS Bach as he was a genius.
Diggsblues, I've understood that you don't get what I said. What I don't get is your childish ad hominem argument. You find that cut a parangon of good taste, I find it to be a gross misinterpretation. There is enough scoop for an interesting discussion. I have tried to make my point on this matter, and I leave it to you to take it as a listening analysis or as a silly subjective opinion, your choice. But please, while I don't have the chance to know you, and you don't have the misfortune to know me, no "prejudice", "snobbery" or "people like you". Why not use this thread for what it's meant : exchanging views ?
saregapadanisa- My grandmother and I had very different tastes in classical music. She used to love to tell one joke in particular about the subject.
If you want to listen to music, listen to Bach. If you want to enjoy it, listen to Mozart.
I am a particular fan of Bach's 'Little Fugue'. I can even play a bit of the theme on harp. It's one of maybe a half-dozen classical tunes that I actually know the name of!
Nacoran, listen to the cello suites by Bach (there are 6 of them), it's not only beautiful, it give ideas about how to unfold melodic lines, even on our tiny diatonic.
Diggs--correct me if I'm wrong, but I take it you are the Emile D'Amico listed in the credits as performing the harp piece...
I must say that although Bach is not my cup of tea and I am not deeply versed in classical music (under my standards, Copland is classical--yeah, Beef, that's what's for dinner), this was easy to listen to and you are clearly an accomplished player.
I was moved to post because often when I hear classical music played on a harp--the YT post of the guy who does William Tell in Carnegie Hall comes to mind--I just cringe because it seems like a wannabe effort to make the harp a serious instrument...but your performance seemed completely consistent with, and appropriate to, the music.
Hollistonharper> IMHO you have been a little unfair to take a swipe at a hugely accomplished harp player like Buddy Greene who does an incredible job on William Tell Overture. It is IMHO no wannabe effort at making the harp a serious instrument.
There is room for all styles of playing and most genres but the prerequisite should be 1) that it is good music & 2) that it is played well. If this is achieved then more knockers will realise that the harp can indeed be a serious instrument.
Aussiesucker--I didn't mean to offend and don't aim to be a knocker, so I apologize. I agree completely that Buddy Greene is an accomplished player, and I strongly agree with conclusions #1 & 2 in your second paragraph. Let me explain what I meant in a little more detail.
I went back and looked at the YT vid of Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall, and while I was reacting partially to his "shtick" about see what this "humble instrument" can do, what really got me was the standing ovation he received from the audience. My personal impression is that if he had been playing a trumpet or some other concert instrument, the brief performance would never have merited a standing ovation. They were reacting to the fact that he could play this music on a tin sandwich. I actually find this to be demeaning to the harmonica, because in my opinion it reduces the harp to a novelty act. As in "gee whiz, look at that fella playing that teeny thing right there on the stage in Carnegie Hall!" At the end of the day, the music coming out of the harp has to stand on its own, and not rely on the fact that it's played on the harp. I think I also am reacting to the subtext that playing in Carnegie Hall somehow legitimizes the harmonica as a serious instrument, when the truth is that Carnegie is really just a rental facility. Anyone who can come up with the money to rent it can do so. Hmmm, deja vu, I think I wrote a similar post some months ago...so I'll just end here.
Hollistonharper> no apology necessary. Also the use by me of the word 'knocker' was only in reference to the perception of the harmonica by many in the general public. It was not in reference to you.
I think Buddy even alludes to this perception "HO HUM" & played by grandpas!!! Unfortunately for me 1) I'm a grandpa & 2) I don't play that good. I want to improve though.
For me Buddys performance is 1)superb 2) it helps dispel the perception that some people have of the harmonica not being a serious instrument. This video has also received huge worldwide attention which can only be positive.
Last Edited by on Feb 02, 2010 6:54 PM
You're absolutely right Helix, and I feel really sorry for that. If that would have been a clear statement from the start, I wouldn't even have posted anything on this thread. I sincerely disapprove any negative view on other people's music on this forum, and now find myself in that position. Guess how I feel... But still, I may take harsh positions, but there was no bad intent from me, and I find that argument on interpretation a worthwhile discussion. Maybe next time, on an other thread, where no personal matter is involved. No need to say, if Diggsblues wants me to delete my posts, I will comply with humility.
I'm not a fan of censorship.It's all good. Keep your post up. Geez you work for years to get a good hand vibrato so you can makes note sing and see what happens to ya. LOL
Diggs, apart from me, you've only got rave reviews here. So, keep it for what it's worth. I guess that to fulfill our human destiny, each one of us has to meet his nemesis ;-)
