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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Reason for having a harp forum
Reason for having a harp forum
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chromaticblues
193 posts
Sep 17, 2010
5:45 PM
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I'd like people to state why they log on to this forum and what they would like to gain from it. It is OK to tell the truth!
I log on at work just to see what people are talking about. If it is something I know alot about I'll offer some advice. If it something I find interesting I'll state my opinion. I mad mistake one time and got pissy with zach and budda. That was stupid of me! If someone has a different way of teaching then I, that's fine. It's acually a good thing. I teach only to play in 1,2 and 3rd position. That's because the further you get from 2nd position the less you can use chords, octaves and double stops. Know that's what I study and teach! That doesn't make me right. Just one way of doing it! If we all have a little tolarence and listen to each other this forum could be more helpful.
Just something I was thinking about.
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Stickman
414 posts
Sep 17, 2010
6:37 PM
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Good question! I have been around since about a year after the forum started, and have seen a lot of changes. I suppose that I stick around out of habit and because I feel a sense of friendship with many of the posters (even if we have never had dialogue with one another). I feel that I have seen all these conversations and arguments (especially the arguments) before. I think I stopped learning from this forum about a year ago, and have often wondered why I stick around.
What changed a year ago? I feel that there has been a decrease in an emphasis on learning and practice, and an increase in arguments and threads on the same old tired stuff; what amp to buy? Hohner sucks! B-rad doesn't deliver! Check out this guy I found on Youtube! I know these things have always been there but something is missing and after thinking about your question I realized what is missing for me.
Adam stopped posting lessons. I feel that when there were regular you tube lessons to watch, discuss and learn from there was fodder for discussion about learning. Now it seems that we cling too the few pros that grace our presence for tidbits of knowledge. I miss the You tube lessons and felt that this forum was a great supplement to those lessons.
Do I want Adam should start posting weekly lessons again?
Hell Yes!
Do I think Adam should start posting weekly lessons again?
Well, maybe he has said all he has to say. He does have a life. So I respect his decision for retiring. But is see the impact that it has on this forum.
I would love to hear from some of the old school guys like Oldwailer or Isaacullah, e-harp, oda, GermanHarpist or even preston, oisin, PatricBarker et-all (if they are still around)
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The Art Teacher Formally Known As scstrickland
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HarmonicaMick
137 posts
Sep 17, 2010
6:41 PM
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Primarily, I use it as a source of information. Though, increasingly, I filter that information - and any I find on the Net - a lot more than I used to.
Another thing I used to enjoy is engaging in some of the debates that used to take place. But, too often, they would descend into unpleasantness. For that reason, I stayed away for a while. But, the problem - I realised - was mine: just don't bite the cherry.
One thing I LOVE is when we have our little Harpfriends Playalong Contests: it's so much more than just talking. Surely the best kind of virtual reality that the www has to offer.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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nacoran
2745 posts
Sep 17, 2010
6:49 PM
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I think the conversation ebbs and flows. There is a ton of information in the archives, although at a certain point there is just so much that unless you know where to look it's hard to find what you are looking for. I like hanging out here for a few reasons. I like helping people find the information in the archival haystack. I like sharing what I've learned, and I still learn here. I like the camaraderie. I even enjoy, in a weird perverse sort of way, deleting spam, at least the first 20 messages or so in a wave.
The software here limits some of the things I'd like to do, but makes me try to figure out new ways to do things (like my thread-threads). It's like a puzzle.
edit: Speaking of which, Skype chat Thursdays? That's a puzzle! Skype was crashing my old computer. My new one should handle it. There has to be a better way though. When you are hosting you spend most of your time making sure everyone can stay connected or get connected. Anyone have any ideas? I looked through a bunch of chat clients- ones that would let us have running IM chats, voice chats, etc. but they all seemed to be either expensive, require a hosting service, going into the site code or they seemed to have some fundamental feature flaw. They seem kind of unintuitive.
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Nate
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Last Edited by on Sep 17, 2010 6:56 PM
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TNFrank
121 posts
Sep 17, 2010
7:39 PM
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First reason is to learn about different harps so I can make a logical, informed choice in the ones that I buy. Second is to socialize with other harp players so we can talk about our gear, songs we're playing or learning and maybe even find a few people close enough to get together with and practice on a regular basis.
Third is to learn technique. I think it's easier to learn stuff from Adam's lessons on YouTube then from a forum however there are certain things that may be hard to get from a lesson so a few different perspectives on the technique may help in my understanding of it.
That's why I'm here.
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Harps:
Suzuki FolkMaster in D and F(on order)
Suzuki HarpMaster in C
Hohner Big River in A
Hohner Hot Metal harps in G, A, C, D,and E
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oldwailer
1338 posts
Sep 17, 2010
9:27 PM
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Thanks, Stickman--I never thought of myself as an "Old School Guy" before. (I hope that was intended as a good thing). I still check in here almost every day, but I just don't try to read e/t anymore--and I no longer respond at all to those perennial probing questions about what kind of harp to buy or how to stop a comb from swelling. I sometimes think maybe some people should learn to Google a little instead of putting the same old tired questions on the forum--no offense intended to anyone in particular.
I also don't respond to the arguments about lip sucking or tongue blowing. ;0
I was here as one of the first members ever, I think--and back then I used to spend a lot of time here. I now think I'd be a better player if I hadn't spent all that time here and had just played some harp and studied the lessons more.
It used to be a lot more fun--and that, to me was always the only reason to spend time here--it was fun!
Now--a lot of the fun went away--but I still always like to look in to scan the headers and see if something interesting is up--lately I've been watching for new posts on the Powerbender, for instance--and this is where I first heard of it.
So, if it was more fun again, that would be great--but there is still good information on occasion and that is enough reason for me to keep coming back. IMHO though, I think a lot of people here who make long posts (like this one) could have learned a great new riff in the same time span and be a better player as a result. . .
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TNFrank
129 posts
Sep 17, 2010
9:42 PM
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I think part of the reason that's it's not as much fun anymore is something I see on a lot of Music/Firearm/Hot Rod forums. Snobs. People who think that only "X" harp costing "X" amount of dollars is good enough and that if you're not playing "X" then you're just not worth talking to. I saw it on a guitar forum where I hang out. People who love their $200 buck Yamahas are told that they need to get a "real" guitar, they need to spend $1200 on a Martin if they really want something good to play.
Well, not all of us can afford to buy the best, we have to buy what we can and make due.
I think it's better to have something, even if it's cheap, then to do without. I know, I'm beating a dead horse and burning up band width but for God sake, not everyone can afford or cares to own 'the best', some of us are happy with 'good enough' and I think that us just all being Harp players should be reason enough for us to get along here on the forum no matter if we're playing a $5 bucks Blues Band or an expensive harp.
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Harps:
Suzuki HarpMaster in C
Suzuki FolkMaster in D and F(on order)
Hohner Big River in A
Hohner Hot Metal harps in G, A, C, D,and E
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RyanMortos
789 posts
Sep 17, 2010
10:05 PM
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Ive been a member of this forum for probably 2 years now.
I agree with a lot of the points made already from guys like Oldwailer, Stickman, & Harmonicamick.
I think things were quite a bit different when I joined then they are now. I think a lot of guys were still making and sharing discoveries. I know in some ways it cant be like that again. Most of the things I wanna learn on harmonica take months of practice & cant be discussed in a thread on the forum.
I come to the forums cause on a rare occassion someone says something that shines some light on something that somehow I wasnt getting before. I see it from a new angle I didnt think of.
Also news in the harmonica world. I hear everything happening in the harmonica world here first.
Lastly I like the feeling of community. Almost feels like hey Im gonna talk (or in my case) listen to my harmonica pals chat today. Theres a buncha real talented guys on this forum I like listening to their advise or stories. Plus it can be fun when people post videos of cool songs I never heard or of a song their working on. That used to happen more often. Unfortunately, like Oldwailer mentions, some thread topics have been touched on a heck of a lot in 2 years, lol.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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Diggsblues
519 posts
Sep 17, 2010
10:06 PM
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One thing to remember is that this is a commercial site.
The forum brings in people but there is product here
to sell. This is what pays for the hosting software and
makes the owner well deserved bucks.
Adam has given away tons of free lessons.
If people need more lessons or want to go deeper
there is tons of stuff in the shop.
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How you doin'
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DutchBones
392 posts
Sep 17, 2010
10:49 PM
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@ Oldwailer .... Well said.... more playing and less talking.... oh how I love the sound of a blues harp wailing in the morning...... (or anytime for that matter...)
Why I (still) come here?
Well, there's lots of good information here.... ranging from cool video of all kinds of harp players (known and unknown to me) to the latest info, such as new harp tuning and harp designs.... and.. last but not least.... terrific stories from people who are really out there playing harp and who have a wealth of experience they are willing to share with us.....
Now... what's better than that?
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DutchBones Tube
Last Edited by on Sep 18, 2010 12:19 AM
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ZackPomerleau
1117 posts
Sep 18, 2010
12:37 AM
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Chromatic, were you the one who did the Giant Steps thing? I can't remember the 'fight.' Were you the one that mentioned using root notes? I recall my difference being you need to also delve into theory for jazz. But, I can't remember.
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Oisin
668 posts
Sep 18, 2010
1:28 AM
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I joined right at the start after I saw Adams' youtube videos and he said he was setting up a website.
When I first came on the Forum it was the best thing ever for me as I had been very isolated and only knew one other person who played harp. There was a great atmosphere here as we all seemed to be learning and were all of the same mindset. I think we all came here because of Adam and I couldn't believe it when he answered one of my posts...it felt like a real privilage to speak to such a great famous player.(I still feel that now)
It was just a huge swopping of ideas, encouragement and hints for playing better and what gear we used.
I used to log on 5 or 6 times a day and I got something out of nearly every post. I felt i had found a spiritual home!!
As time went on more professional and experienced players turned up on the forum and were able to offer some good advice to us.
Now as I started to learn and gain more experience I started to form opinions based on what I'd learned and would sometimes put these forward and sometimes I'd be disavowed of these by more experienced players.
Now that's fine and I don't have a problem with this a long as it's explained.
Example..there was post shortly after I joined about Music theory. My opinion was that you didn't need much to be able to play harp...look at all the old greats...they didn't know squat about theory. Then Adam posted with a really well thought out reply explaining why theory is important and he very quickly changed my mind....and in a very positive and mannerly way.
However we then started to get posts from other people, quite abrasive and with abbreviations like STFU which I felt were totally unnecessary. Why would I want to listen to someone who came out with stuff like that no matter how experienced they were. Call me a confrontational avoiding pussy if you like but I don't want to hear that from anyone I'm asking advice from.
However some of these more abrasive posts can be quite entertaining but if they go on too long it makes me feel sorry for the people as they've allowed themselves to sink into a quagmire of abusiveness that shames them in the end.
I really fear for people like TNfrank and newbies because they remind me of me when I first came on the forum...full of ethuasiasm and big ideas and and wanting to learn. If these guys get the wrong kind of answer to a post.i.e abusive, they can end up leaving and that leaves the forum a little worse place. Look at Jon Sparrow. I used to love talking with him on the forum but he left for the reasons above.
I still try and log on most days and although I don't quite get as much out of the forum as I used to, like Ryan says, there are days when someone will post something enlightening or a video or link to some great new (or old) musican or band I've never heard of.
Only post in a manner you'd like to be posted to is my rule of thumb. If someone is wrong about something there are ways of telling them that will encourage them...telling them to STFU in my mind shows a distinct lack of imagination.
I think there are enough good people left on this forum to stop it going the way of HarpL (or Harp hell, as I think of it). We've just got to make sure we remain in the majority!!
At the end of the day the main reason I come to this forum is to talk with people who love the same thing I do.
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Oisin
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chromaticblues
194 posts
Sep 18, 2010
5:07 AM
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No Zack. I don't remember that. you posted something about 11 and 12 position and it just struck me wrong. Then I proceded to be an ass for a couple of days. I'm new to this forum stuff and I'm not really a computer guy. The cumputer I use for this is at work. I had a nice dell lap top and my daughter droppeed it when our dog jumped on her lap and the lap top fell to the floor. So I have no way of posting anything. Which sucks cause words don't mean shit unless you can back it up!
I have two great exampes: someone asked if you can bend notes on the Chromatic. I'm a very good chromatic player and don't play like the average blues chromatic players. I use some of the Stevie Wonder style when playing some bends. There's a trick that he did that is really cool and not that hard to do once you figure out what he did! Playing it isn't hard. Figuring out what he did was!
The other thing is I've been playing a stomp box for almost four years now. I'm not trying to be an Adam Gussow copy cat. That's before adam started. I actually built one for a guy that I played with in Nashville 12 years ago. We had a blues duo called Rollin' & Tumblin'. I got the idea from a book called Deep Blues. Robert Palmer mentioned in the book how black people in church would sing and stomp thier feet in unison. That stuck with me. Then when I saw Satan and adam play for the first time. I thought holy shit I knew it could be done. So I tried to start a duo in the same vein. It worked, but none of you who the hell I am. So it didn't work that well! My partner was a great guitar player, but limited with his feet. Mister Satan was not limited with his feet. The reason we didn't work has nothing to do with feet, but I'm not getting into that.
So I've been practicing in the same vein as to not just go right foot left foot. Over and over, but to play the song with my feet. It isn't easy, but I'm getting better at.
Hopefully I can manage to figure something out soon as far as getting a new computer. My daughter is 22. Maybe I'll wait till after she leaves.
All in all I think this can a great thing for all of us. And yes diggs blues I know Adam started this site to jump start the second half of his career after his health got better. I have bought every recording he for sale.
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eharp
790 posts
Sep 18, 2010
5:25 AM
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i joined to support adam. his yt videos were very helpful and entertaining.
"hello, officer."
i stayed for the fellowship. aint nothing better than finding folks with the same interest.
after being attacked and threatened during adam's hill country event thread, i stuck around because of pride.
now i stay because once in a while a thread or post sparks something. pushes me in a new direction or gives me a different view.
oh. and the soap opera fights.
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AV8R
65 posts
Sep 18, 2010
6:03 AM
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I originally came to the forum because I was eager to get ANY insights into harp playing, and also because I thought there would be a lot of discussions regarding Adam's YT and Tradebit lessons, which I had totally immersed myself in (still am). I guess I was too late for that era.
But I still like to come to see the great videos and have discovered many harp players that I had not heard of-just last week- Lester Butler and the Red Devils. Whew!! Not to mention William Clark, Steve Guyger, Pat Ramsey and many others.
Plus I have learned a hell of a lot regarding amps and microphones.
But, there is some extreme rudeness and attitude on this site, that's for sure. I belong to a HD forum and a guitar forum, and have not seen anything like it on those forums.
Makes me thing once or twice, or maybe three or four times (!) before I make a post. Really bummed me out when Waltertore left.
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chromaticblues
196 posts
Sep 18, 2010
6:53 AM
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@ eharp and AV8R. you guys bring up good points about the you tube videos. Ther use to be a monthly publication called the American Harmonica Newsletter. There are peobably a couple people here that met the man that started it(AL Eichler). I was the blues instructor. For $20 you put five songs on a 90 minute cassette and sent it to me and I would spent a couple weeks breaking the stuff down and when I figure out some good lessons on the techniques it took to play certain parts of a song I would fill up the rest of the tape with examples and audio explainations. I also would play stuff I made up using the mention techniques. I was just supporting what AL was doing and helping people and it made me better.
I think if there was more of that here and anyone that wants post can. That's a direction that would be fun and usefull. Damn I got to get a computer!
Start your own posts about a YT vid! Or one of his recorded songs!
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mr_so&so
359 posts
Sep 18, 2010
9:23 AM
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When I joined about 6 months after this forum started there were a bunch of guys (and gals) who were at about the same level, working with Adam's YT videos, and exchanging ideas about how to progress. I learned a lot from my learning-level peers as well as from the pros who came along later. I've tried to share stuff that I've learned too. It may not be what the pros say, but it's my truth from where I am at the time, and may help others who are in a similar place.
I also feel some loyalty to Adam's project here and his products, so I try to support those. I've found some good vendors to deal with, e.g. Greg Heumann, and the harp customizers who post here.
Finally, I like the sharing of videos, and the play-along challenges, and making new friends. That's why I stay here. So far it's still working for me. I just don't read every topic now, and don't engage in pissing matches.
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oldwailer
1339 posts
Sep 18, 2010
10:14 AM
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Wow! Dutchbones, eharp, Oisen, mr_so&so! Great to see some of my old buddies here--now we just need Geordiebluesman and Preston to pop in and we'll have a real reunion going--maybe we could all write a song or something--or have a "no-pussies-allowed-smackdown-harp blowing competition--just like the old days!!!
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OzarkRich
250 posts
Sep 18, 2010
10:55 AM
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I'm here simply because I'm into blues harp. I've been mostly lurking as of late due to spending time with family during the summer, and now home schooling all three of my boys.
Also, my wife and I both work full time at our church, I took early retirement after 27 years working for the national headquarters of a major christian denomination and a lot of my extended family is involved in ministry. While I don't blatantly talk about religion on this forum, it is a major part of my perspective and with the updated creed I don't want to take any chances so I've been laying low.
My favorite parts of the forum are the videos members post of their own playing (hoping to get the guts to do it myself), the lighthearted/humorous discussions, and stories of others experiences busking/gigging.
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Ozark Rich
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Ozark Rich's YouTube
Ozark Rich's Facebook
Last Edited by on Sep 18, 2010 4:58 PM
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ZackPomerleau
1118 posts
Sep 18, 2010
11:09 AM
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Well, Chromatic, whatever it was, it's all good!
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jbone
398 posts
Sep 18, 2010
3:55 PM
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i'm posting my answer to this without even looking at the responses. this way my response will not be shaded by anyone else's answer.
why do i log on to THIS forum? i like the huge volume of participants, many of whom are far ahead of me on the knowledge continuum. i can learn a lot here.
why else? i've been playing harp for many years- nearly 4 decades. in that time i have learned a few things- think blind squirrel and acorn- and am glad to offer my experience in the hope that maybe someone can benefit. the exchange of experiences and knowledge on the internet in general but specifically a busy harp forum, has been for me such a great eye-opener. ear-opener. the links to youtube and mp3 stuff you all post along with just the raw experience with particular harps, mics, amps, techniques, etc has really changed my outlook about my own place on the continuum. some of you have made me realize how much i don't know. others have given me opportunity to make some small attempt to pass on what i DO know.
adam runs a pretty responsible forum here. when things get out of hand- and they do on any forum at some point- he steps in and does a very very good job of mediation. some people choose to leave and others to stay as we saw recently, but adam did all a great moderator could do.
for me a forum worth hanging out at is a place where we all try and do adult things and try to keep our own emotions from getting out of hand. it's also a place where the overseer, moderator, owner, kahuna, does a great job of keeping things lively but not TOO lively.
adam has done this more than once along with being a font of relevant knowledge, history, and experience, all freely given.
i have seen other forums who had basically NO moderation, and it was the asylum being run by the inmates. things get said and done that can permanently keep me away in a case like that, and it's happened a few times. i never EVER see a need or justification for bad manners all the way up to flame war. if i don't care for someone's opinion, i still respect their choice. mama always told me if i can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. i believe that and try to live up to it.
so that's the long answer.
short answer is, i like adam and a lot of you guys and gals here, whether we've ever met! thanks for the education, cameraderie, and let's continue to keep it on the tracks!
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isaacullah
1167 posts
Sep 18, 2010
4:25 PM
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I mainly come here because I don't really know any other harp players where I live. I get to occasionally go hang out a Buddha's house, but my life revolves around the university, so those times are few and far between. There's also not much of a music scene here in PHX, so I come here to get my fix of new music and to talk about it with other people who are into music as well...
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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DutchBones
394 posts
Sep 18, 2010
4:25 PM
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"maybe we could all write a song or something--or have a "no-pussies-allowed-smackdown-harp blowing competition--just like the old days!!!"
I don't know, Wailer, I love pussies....... Oh... wait...... I got it....
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DutchBones Tube
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kudzurunner
1862 posts
Sep 18, 2010
4:36 PM
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I'll just say, without irony, that it's great having those kind, temperate, and humane words from jbone. The vision he offers of what this place can be, for each of us in our slightly different ways, is very much my vision.
The forum creed, baroque as it's (of necessity) become, pretty much provides my answer.
--a real-time cracker barrel around which to gather and trade news
--a place to exchange information about all aspect of the blues harmonica: technical, spiritual, economic, equipment, etc.
--a place in which to experience the fellowship of other harp-maniacs
--a place from which to disseminate news of events and products of interest to the community
Some periodic introspection, of the sort provided by this thread, is probably a good idea. Too much is probably not a good idea.
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KingoBad
387 posts
Sep 18, 2010
6:51 PM
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I am with Issacullah. I don't know any players near me, and I don't even have a Buddha nearby. So I come here to be in his presence.
Occasionally I am challenged with a new perspective. I like the stretch ideas that are off the wall. I also get to hear new music to which I have never been exposed. Being fairly new to blues, this is a great place of immersion while I find my way.
I also like it that people get all worked up about their music. Although some people are just weenies, the passion of music shines through and I like the vibe - even is it goes south every once in a while.
Weenies will be weenies, Jackasses will be jackasses. The nature of the internet gives us something new here that has less accountability and more information. It is a new ground with which some have problems navigating - both old school and new school.
The best thing is, we have the elders watching from the virtual front porch, telling us you boys don't know your ass from a hole in the ground. Even they don't agree with each other sometimes, you get the flavor of them all, and we are richer for the experience.
If you are going to learn to live in the information age, you better learn to sort through a giant pile that is 98% crap anyway. So I'll take the multiple flavors of folks here and pay attention to those who I know to be credible. However, even a beginner can speak the truth, so claim it wherever one can get it.
So back to whatever we were doing...
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Tuckster
744 posts
Sep 19, 2010
7:55 AM
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A long time ago,I stumbled upon Adam's Y-t videos. I don't think there was more than 10 of them at the time.Then he started this forum. I think I've been here since almost day 1. Looking back,it's been an invaluable source of information. pre-forum harp information was virtually non-existent for me. It really helped me to become a better player. Back then,we were all sorts of newbies and we had a kinder,gentler view of the harp world. We were all innocents. But the journey is ever evolving.None of us that were here from the beginning are the same players as we were back then. (Or at least I hope so.) Yes,sometimes it's "deja vu,all over again". But that's the nature of the beast. I still log on regularly and skim the topics and read what interests me. But now I have enough basic information and I'd rather just go play my harps. I do feel a kinship with some of the regular posters and would miss them if they quit posting. IMHO,it's still the best harp forum on the internet.
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