alliag
2 posts
Dec 15, 2010
8:47 PM
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Ok, I would not consider myself a pro at any standard, but I do believe I have decent understanding of the instrument and respect it as one. There are a lot of people out there that pick up and harmonica and just think they know how to play it by breathing through it. I believe these people can often give the harmonica a bad rep for those of us that actually study for what it is...an INSTRUMENT, not a toy. I was just wondering what kind of reactions you guys get when you tell someone your a serious harmonica player.
My top 4 reactions:
1. Me too!
2. Can you play any blues traveler?! (I love you John Popper)
3. My grandpa used to play a mean harp too!
4. Can you do the train thing?
I have nothing but respect for anyone for anyone who has the passion to play and learn the instrument, as I am one of the. I just find it hard for people to take me seriously when I say I play. Was just wondering what other funny reactions people get!
Cheers!
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mandowhacker
8 posts
Dec 15, 2010
9:04 PM
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I haven't actually admitted it yet----except to a friend in Dallas. He thought it was cool---spending $500 on harmonicas that I can't play. But, he does live in Dallas. HA!!!! :)
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BigBlindRay
37 posts
Dec 15, 2010
11:13 PM
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I like to confuse people by playing a little Air Guitar when i say "I play Harmonica"
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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jonlaing
144 posts
Dec 15, 2010
11:39 PM
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I've gotten everything from:
"Oh that's awesome!"
To:
"Oh, when you said you played an instrument... I thought... Nevermind."
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BronzeWailer
46 posts
Dec 15, 2010
11:43 PM
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Embarassed silence like you've admitted to having an STD. No one knows what to say...
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Bruce S
7 posts
Dec 15, 2010
11:50 PM
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At a Jam:
"Oh right...erm, do you play anything else?"
Grrrr...
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the_happy_honker
50 posts
Dec 16, 2010
12:55 AM
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An acqaintance (sax player) and I were doing a little jamming recently and I kicked his ass, even though I have been playing for six months and he's been playing for 12 years.
So he says, "Harmonica is a great beginner instrument - the notes are all right there!"
I didn't bother to point out that bent notes are not "right there" or, if you ignore that, that the notes on a sax are "right there" in the same way.
Edited to make the post coherent.
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2010 1:06 AM
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jim
551 posts
Dec 16, 2010
1:03 AM
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"great beginner instrument :DD
Sure - say, from 10 to 30 years of your life)))
I like to pretend that I can't play. The surprise is much more pleasant that way.
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www.truechromatic.com
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Kyzer Sosa
906 posts
Dec 16, 2010
1:26 AM
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most say "oh like a harp?" and make the stringed instrument hand motion.... um.....no
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Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
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Greyowlphotoart
226 posts
Dec 16, 2010
1:29 AM
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The police have used me on occasions to clear the streets.
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Andrew
1252 posts
Dec 16, 2010
5:33 AM
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The most common reaction I get is, "There was a guy playing one of those on the underground the other day. He wasn't bad. You could do that"
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Andrew,
gentleman of leisure,
noodler extraordinaire.
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walterharp
508 posts
Dec 16, 2010
5:38 AM
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i am pretty accomplished in my main profession, when i get up to give a talk, the announcer almost always mentions that i play harmonica (there is a link to my personal web page on the professional page).. likewise that is something people make a deal about when they introduce me to others in a professional setting. they think it is interesting, and cool that i play in a band...very nice for the most part..then the person always says, yeah, i tried to play one.. and the one guy who said.. so does the harmonica have "real" notes?
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tbirdflier
8 posts
Dec 16, 2010
5:40 AM
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Actually I think harp players are less taken for granted than drummers are, they seem to get the brunt of jokes made about them, more than we do.
I play both so I guess I'm a total loser....but happy with my choices!
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groyster1
583 posts
Dec 16, 2010
6:21 AM
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you have to say harmonica not harp as they think you mean the large string instruments
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harpcrab
57 posts
Dec 16, 2010
6:42 AM
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"oh...., so you must like to go camping alot"
;(
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Bluesharp- If you don't blow you suck...
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eharp
1005 posts
Dec 16, 2010
6:50 AM
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you guys really tell folks you play harp??
i thought we were just a secret society.
you aint passing on the password and handshake, too, are you?!?
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upstate
38 posts
Dec 16, 2010
7:00 AM
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its always nice to hear after you play,someone comes up and says my uncles best friend who i heard ten years ago can play better than you. and i hope someone whos heard me play doesnt say something similar in the future to another harp player.lol
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Andrew
1253 posts
Dec 16, 2010
7:05 AM
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What do you call the Deep South of the UK, greyowl? I was born in Fareham.
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Andrew,
gentleman of leisure,
noodler extraordinaire.
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toddlgreene
2247 posts
Dec 16, 2010
7:42 AM
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They say "oh, you mean like Bob Dylan? He's soooo good!"
I respond "yes, exactly like that. Only completely different"
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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Littoral
218 posts
Dec 16, 2010
7:54 AM
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alliag:
I agree with much of your original points. It's a pain in the ass to overcome the reputation of hacks.
I usually avoid the topic of which instrument and try to talk up other music issues first so I represent myself as somebody who has a clue. This is if I want to play with a group. It's occaisionally the case that you have to negotiate some eyes rolling anyway. It spawns significant motivation.
Blood will spill.
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Learning Harp
36 posts
Dec 16, 2010
8:13 AM
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A recent convert to the instrument but a guitarist (and keys) for going on 25 years...
I've played shows with maybe a dozen or so really good harp players but I never had any respect for the instrument until I started to play it myself. I found out quickly there's more to it than meets the eye and have found a whole new respect for the instrument and the players of it. That said...
I think part of the dis on my part (prior) and other musicians I've jammed with would agree is that a lot of harp players we've jammed with in the past had this exuding arrogance, type A personalities that we just didn't get. "They show up with hardly any equipment, play and instrument you could teach a monkey to play, bla, bla, bla..." sort of thing. LOL
You sometimes have to deal with it when you hit upon a vocalist that has a set of magic pipes but with a harp player? Mmmm no, see ya...
Then we would be proven wrong by a cool cat playing with a full deck, then all the stereo typing would then go out the door... Only to come back again with some other guy.
If you've jammed with the "prima donna" singer in the past, I think sometimes you're average seasoned band member gets the same vibe when it comes to harp players?
To answer the question in the OP? That's what comes to mind when someone tells me they play harp.
(ducks for cover... lol)
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Dog Face
48 posts
Dec 16, 2010
8:36 AM
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I told my wife I bought another harp and she said, "since when do you play a harp?" No babe....I mean... it's just another name for.....yeah....uh just last year actually. you didn't notice the one I had in the guest room? I don't know how u didn't see it. It's as big as I am.
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Dyslexics are teople poo.
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2010 8:38 AM
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Greyowlphotoart
228 posts
Dec 16, 2010
9:40 AM
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@Andrew 'What do you call the Deep South of the UK, greyowl? I was born in Fareham.'
Ah much deeper, Andrew. Eastbourne, if I take ten paces further south I'm in the sea :)
Regards, Kieron
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Barry C.
86 posts
Dec 16, 2010
9:41 AM
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True story:
At the bar before a show seated next to a stunningly beautiful young lady. Strike up a conversation and mention (of course) that I'm in the band. She asks what instrument I play and I say harp. She get's all excited (ok so am i) says she LOVES harp and harp players (ok even more excited now) but isn't it kinda heavy to carry up to the stage? I can see my doomed fate coming - shortly after explaining the kind of harp i really play - she leaves the bar without a further word.
So ya think she likes me?!
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~Banned in Boston!
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jim
562 posts
Dec 16, 2010
9:44 AM
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Barry:
awesome :D
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www.truechromatic.com
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Greyowlphotoart
229 posts
Dec 16, 2010
9:54 AM
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Yeah, I definitely think you're in with a chance Barry.
All you've got to do is buy a proper harp, drag it up on stage, then casually take out all your harmonicas and pop them between the strings (makes a most excellent holder) save one which you can start wailing away on. Believe me she'll be impressed :)
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2010 10:44 AM
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Joe_L
907 posts
Dec 16, 2010
10:29 AM
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I rarely tell anyone. I see no need to broadcast it. The people that need to know, know. Those who don't need to know, don't need to know. I don't try to hide it, but I don't broadcast it, either. If people google my name or search on youtube, it shows up.
I've been friends with some great players for years before they found out. Sometimes, it's fun to have the element of surprise on your side.
If I travel on business, I usually drop into a jam or two. People tend to be pretty receptive and supportive. I've met some interesting people along the way.
The only negative feedback I've gotten is from people who have general disdain for musicians or musicians who loathe harmonica players.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2010 10:30 AM
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alliag
3 posts
Dec 16, 2010
10:38 AM
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Or to even more confuse them you can make the gesture of string plucking and say you play "blues harp" haha.
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