playing the head is one thing. I would like to hear a solo as well. Alex is a very good player but at SPAH he demonstrated a clear weakness in being able to solo effectively. I would also like to hear it without the valves. Alex has phenomenal technique and has no real reason to use valves.
Otherwise, very nice tone and control.
---------- "I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
Buddha, ain't busting on you, and yes, I have followed your work with Alex. Your delivery, the monkeys paw, just makes me laugh. Maybe it's because you correspond most with your dogs.
"I would also like to hear it without the valves. Alex has phenomenal technique and has no real reason to use valves."
This seems to imply that you think valves are some sort of "training wheels" that can be used in place of developing technique. Learning to play a half valved harmonica is just as difficult, and requires just as much technique. In fact many people have said that playing chromatically using valvled bends is more difficult than using OBs (If I remember correctly, you've said something pretty similar when you were talking about PT being "crazy" for using valves).
I just don't understand your comment, playing a half valved harmonica takes just as much technique (not less), and there are many reasons for using one instead of a regular harp. Half valved harps provide possibilties for expresion that aren't possible on regular harmonicas, and I believe you said yourself that valved bends sound closer to regular notes than OBs, and you said something along the lines of if you had to start all over again that you might have chosen to take the route of using half valved harmonicas instead of OBs.
Great playing Alex, I like it a lot. Another good example of what is possible with half-valved harps. IMO, half-valving is going to win against OB, just wait a few more years. Playing HV requires some technique, but I find it easier than OB, and it sounds just like regular bend notes, so you don't have to practice for years to make them sound right.
Jim, Chris does Krav Maga, he could be dangerous... Although, I've done boxing, and Thai boxing pretty much all my life and then I went to local Krav Maga club all I found is a bunch of middle age loosers fantasising about being some kind of assasins or something. What a pathetic sight. May be things are different in US, I don't know... About customization, I have had an opportunity to speak with Bertram few days ago(the guy from Seydel) and he was going on and on abut how wonderful Jim's work is and how much he has learnt from Jim. Now, we are talking about the guy behind all Seydel's product line including Saxony and 1847. I also own a couple Jims harps and they are fantastic. Keep in mind what I customize harmonicas myself, I own R. Sleigh and Brendan Power harps and I can honestly say Jims harps are in the same league. Needless to say that Alex plays Jims harps including the one used in the video which started this thread. Alex has tried your harps i believe but has no intention to switch. So the botton line is, I personaly question sincerity of the comments left by Buddha. Sorry, I do not intend to offend anyone. And when it comes to videos, well... I would sell my left testicle to see what is going on in that Krav Maga class.
i think it is beautiful harmonica playing. there is not a single blemish. this is very fine. ---------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
@ Leonid "...I personally question sincerity of the comments left by Buddha". No, IMHO, Buddha is very sincere -at least about harp -and can back it up. Other stuff? I don't know but it's a hamonica forum so it really doesn't matter.
Last Edited by on Nov 04, 2010 9:13 AM
I just want to say that half-valved playing is not better or worse than Over blowing it is just different. The technique has been over looked due to the popularity of Over Blowing. I have been waiting for someone to step up and show that what I do is not a parlor trick and I always suspected it would be from the new generation of players. Buddha may want to hear a solo but what I hear is someone who gets the idea and can control the bends...that's where it all starts. Well done Alex! ---------- "Life...10 Holes & 20 Reeds At A Time"
