In regards to the thread topic I would just suggest to Chris' students that a great way to honor Chris would be to include and empower his wife in whatever planning you do.
I'm not sure where joeleebush's post at 8:24 went. It was right before mine. I'm pretty sure there's no way you can fully delete a post. Is there? I'm pretty darn sure that there was a post there. It's the only reason I posted, but now it's not there. Joe, you saw it right...... I feel like I'm losing my marbles........
--------------------------------------- *OP*.
That's what I'm sayin Joe.
There are ways to deal with differing opinions. Narcoran just recently dealt with a situation where a forum member was having a vicious attitude towards board members.
Okay, I think it's time this thread got back on track. Too much of the same ol' he said she said crap that destroys too many threads on this forum. Doesn't matter who started it, we can all do our parts to be the person who ends it.
And to that end...
If the Purple Monkey Fist Club (was that the working title? something like that...) would like to sell the information, I would be more than willing to pay especially knowing that it would benefit Chris' widow. I think that would be the only truly ethical way to charge. Otherwise, I think donations would be the only right way to see any sort of compensation for it. That's just my opinion.
I do, however, respect those who feel that their oath extends past Chris' earthly departure.
I've still been on the road, and just now got a chance to check in again. I feel the need to add to this comment despite (and completely ignoring) the bits of nastiness that exist on this thread because I was one of those people who was lucky enough to be invited into Chris's workshop.
Basically, I want to reiterate EVERYTHING HarpNinja said in his Dec 19, 2010 6:50 PM post. That's what my experience with Chris was. Chris let me into his workshop mainly because I was around and available and interested, and he spent a lot of time alone working on harps, and he enjoyed the company of having someone else there with him. He didn't show me much directly (he did make some drawings and discussed his general strategy), but I think that he expected me to just sort of pick it up through osmosis. We would shoot the shit a bit, play a little harp, and then I would just do various tasks for him while he worked. I popped a lot of nails out of Marine Bands, and I sanded a lot of reedplates. Every once and a while, he would call me over and show me something on a particularly difficult reed or something else specific, but usually, I'd just be there doing my specific task, and chatting with him about everyday stuff.
I probably have a schematic understanding of his basic process, and a decent academic understanding of his goals with a harp. I also know theoretically how to do some of his specific techniques. I could never never never make a harp anywhere close to something he made. He had the experience and deep understanding and artisan craftsmanship to do that. Even if I knew all the details of everything he did and why he did them that way, I could not make a Buddha harp. I don't have the number of hours invested in both playing the harp and building harps, and I also just don't possess the raw abilities and mind that Chris had.
Chris never swore me into secrecy. He merely asked me not to broadcast his specific techniques on the internet. As much as a believer in OpenSource as I am, I'm not sure what good it will do to broadcast everything he did out on the internet. I don't think his ideas are in any risk of dying out. I'll tell anyone what I learned from him, but I'll do it face to face as a peer. I'll do it that way, because that is the way that Chris did it, and I feel that that's the way he would want me to do it.
I'm trying to get back in time for Chris's memorial service. I'd like to be there not just to represent myself, but to represent all of us here at MBH.
---------- -------------------------------------- View my videos on YouTube!"
Last Edited by on Dec 19, 2010 9:03 PM
Very well said Isaac... I have admiration for you and your mannerism. I look forward to meeting ya! We almost met twice... Once in Jordan and once in TO :)
@gene. True! As is usually the case, then others get dragged in if I is allowed to go on long enough. ---------- I could be bound by a nutshell and still count myself a king of infinite space
There is no possible way to delete a post. Is there?
I think I'm going absolutely insane. Like I'm seeing things and I can't remember If I saw them or if I was dreaming......... Strange. My last post makes no sense now.
@Miles--Any member can delete any post of his own--I think. I've never felt like a big enough dick to do it myself--but I know it has been done--like when TittyNippleFrank went through and deleted a bunch of his stuff and got everybody's panties all twisted up.
God, there just ain't nuthin' like MBH for raw reality entertainment! ;)
@jonlaing--"The Purple Monkey Fist Club!" The perfect name! You're a Genius!!
It's way too soon for some of Chris's close friends to talk about stuff like what happens to the knowledge of harp building that he taught to some people (for charge or for free)..
For me it is clear that he would have wanted to share that information for everybody (as he actually often seemed to do just because he couldn't stand seeing people doing the wrong - I bet all the info could be found from his various posts in different forums). The only reason that he didn't share it for free was because it was his profession and he wanted to keep up some level of "mysticism" on the process of making the Buddha harps. If his money would not have dependent on that profession, he would have shared it for free to everybody.
That's my interpretation of what he discussed with me privately. Obviously I wasn't a close friend with him although we seemed to have a good chemistry between us. I'm sure people who spend time in his workshop learned a lot more than I did. (But I did also contributed to his knowledge as I made some research on studies made with heat treatment of brass.)
Almost all of his techniques he taught could be found from the internet (from here or harp-l). Only things that I didn't already know as we begun were some subtleties on embossing, chamfering etc. However, for me the most valuable thing was to KNOW HOW HE DID IT, because then it only becomes a matter of time and experience to get to the level of playability that the Buddha harps have - the techniques themselves are right. For that reason I also bought 2 harps (C&D) from him so that I can compare my own craftsmanship to his.
The truth is that my own harps I build with his help OB'd easier FOR ME than his and we had a discussion on that topic just two weeks ago on Facebook chat. He thought I probably have widely different resonance point that he had. (He was sure that the C-harp he sent me was one of the best he had made as Howard himself had played that harp and told him he should charge 300USD for that.) Nevertheless, his harps were better in every other sense compared to mine (louder, better sound, easier to bend) so it was more of a thing that had to do with personal differences between the players.
Anyway, I will probably just share the information I have for the benefit of all. If there would be a dedicated site for Chris's legacy, that would be the most natural place to gather that info but it doesn't really matter.
In fact this whole discussion is really insignificant as this concerns only building of musical instruments - the most important thing is that beloved friend for many is gone and now it is just time for them to mourn. We harp geegs can and will of course continue to talk about these things but let's keep in mind that these are really really unimportant things, really..
I think that's a good idea to have a memorial website dedicated to Chris and his teachings. A one stop place to find his videos (both teaching and performance), his recordings, and some or all of his educational material, whatever else deemed appropriate.
@Zhin: Please edit your early post to delete the words "fucking idiot" and "scum," directed at another member. You know, surely, that such language is flagrantly in violation of the forum creed. Everybody here understands why you're upset, but the rules are the rules and have been established for a reason. As King Lear once said, "This way madness lies."
@hermonica: You and Zhin are obviously both in pain in the aftermath of Chris's death, as are many. It would be good if you could find a slightly more compassionate way of questioning the intentions of your brother, rather than saying that his actions make you "sick." Please reread the forum creed. Presume the best, not the worst.
""I have a few Buddha harps and have turned some stock MB's into nearly Buddha harps." (-Mike)
with basic skills you can get a nearly buddha harp?" (-hermonica)
No, I showed Mike a lot of stuff. (-Buddha)"
Mr. Adam Gussow, in light of this, knowing that hermonica was NOT a friend of Chris and was here to troll and deliberately cause grief and mar this thread... what do we do with people like that? Just let them get away with it?
Those of you who dare to even imply that I started the flaming and ugliness... or that I was jumping to conclusions. YOU "people", FAIL.
Dearest Zhin, I am sorry for your lost. You sound terribly hurt and are trying to do the right thing in memory of your friend and move forward. That is good. I think your post is relevant and has merit, but your emotional state is still fragile. Take the time to mourn and remember your friend. And find the peace necessary to move on.
I have said in another post, I would be happy to donate to any fund set up in Chris' memory.
It's hard to get over this but I have to. Too many things remind me of Chris. Aside from the obvious stuff like how I play and the 3 Buddha harps I own...
My favorite tobacco pipe which sits right on my desk since the day he gave it to me to take home. It was his most favorite one of all and he really wanted me to have it. It's a deluxe Savinelli champagne wood pipe. The wood grain of it is incredible like tigers eye stone and it has a shape of a fireball on it. I may show it off sometime to you guys. It help me quit cigarettes entirely. I don't even smoke it anymore... I think it took me about 2 months of using the tobacco pipe and it helped teach me control myself from quitting smoking very quickly. I have not puffed a cigerette since September 2009 thanks to Chris. I have tried quitting about 7 times before that and always failed. His "method" worked and cured me. I don't even smoke the pipe anymore since February this year. I keep it on my desk as a warm reminder of his generosity and compassion.
And then my gigging backpack. I actually hate backpacks because they look so uncool. I prefer sling bags. Chris talked me into getting a backpack which I am not used to but have learned to like. Everytime I look at it though, I think to myself "that chris..".
My main mic is a chrome EV660 which he talked me into buying off from him for almost nothing. It was his main mic for many years and has been used for recordings. He replaced it with an RE-10 at some point because he preferred it's smaller size and almost identical tone.
My toolset for custom harps, is a lot like his own personal one. And guess what... it ain't the pretty hand made tools he sells. They are STANDARD DIY STORE tools which can be found in USA and Malaysia. As common as chips. It was just coincidence that I happen to be using the same ones that he was using too in his workshop.
Also, I wear 2 ear studs on my left ear all the time. One of them is a plain brass stud and the other is in fact the same exact Buddha Harp Ying Yang ear stud he uses to mark his harps. I have one that is fully intact which I have on me all the time.
Playing the harp... and being around all this stuff. It's been very rough.
This will be my last post for the time being on this forum. If you wish to speak to me more about anything, please contact me through my links.
I would like to see two things happen:
1.) Someone/s take on sorting through what is left of Buddha Harps that understands harmonica - I would like it to be one less thing for Laurie and the family to worry about. My concern is there will be people at the funeral who could help and it would be really hard for people to fly in to do it in the future.
2.) If Chris's work is to be shared, I'd like it to be formally and hopefully with some charity or harmonica related thing in mind. For example, an E-book about Chris's life and techniques. People could pay a minimal donation or more that would go to something related to his family or his life's work.
Sadly, Chris doesn't have the vast catalog of music out there that many artists did and it would be a shame if he were forgotten as a player and builder down the road.
I don't plan on lurking here, so again, please feel free to respond to me directly via other means.
It is important to teach others. Is there anyone getting rich from a harmonica trade secret?? This forum was started by a man that said "I'm going to give it all away"
---------- intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 5:32 AM
Hermonica lay off Zhin. This is not the time or place for your comments. Chris was his Sensei. He was Chris's student and I feel his motives and love for his teacher are pure. Hermonica you are only adding to the pain. Zhin is only trying to preserve his teacher's legacy and do him honor. This is most honorable. ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Watching Chris play that Christmas tune I can't help but notice his incredible powers of concentration. So much focus at his third eye. ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Chris was making me five harps that he promised me by Christmas. I doubt that they are done because he got sick. I would like them even their unfinished state. Three were custom harps that he was rebuilding for me (a G, A and Lo F) and two were new (a Lo F and a lo D)
So if anyone does go through his harps, I'd sure like to get them. ----------
Zhin Compile all the information. Make a book for retail. Find someone close to his wife to be involved with this. Use the proceeds to cover the cost of the people that make it happen, but after that ALL proceeds go to his wife. OK now Mike would you be part of something like that? Zhin is this something you really want to do? If any of you guys want to do something for your lost friend. Use his work to help his wife! Its just an idea. I don't know any of you guys, but if he was my friend and I knew his wife. Thats something I would look into anyway! That way his work would live for ever and I'm sure his wife would be proud that his work didn't die with him! OK before anybody starts. I'm not argueing about this with anyone! I just had an idea and I'm sharing with the people involved!! Nothing more nothing less!
@Tin Lizzie - I hear ya. I also sent him a set of Meisterklasse reed plates that I got as a Christmas gift 20 years ago from my parents (very sentimental plates). He was gonna use them to build a custom harp for me, but now I doubt I'll ever see those plates again.
I was lucky enough to get 2 customs from him though.
Harp Ninja suggested that someone go over and go through his harps. Even if they aren't working, I want them because I know he was making them for me. And I know he put a lot of personal care into them.----------
Hey ReedSqueal' I hope you're not pointing the finger at me? I noticed your post on the Buddha Tools thread has disappeared and I'm sorry if you didn't understand the comment I made.
I was answering the comments in a post previous to your entry. You just happened to post at the wrong time and thought my comments were aimed at you, which they were not.
Anyway, the sentiment I was trying to make in that thread is beginning to gain momentum in this one. I'll just sit back and watch the fireworks.
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 11:02 AM
"Harp Ninja suggested that someone go over and go through his harps."
You gotta be kidding me. The public memorial service for Chris isn't until Wednesday but people are already on these boards talking about going through his workshop like vultures circling the carrion. Whatever the intention, isn't it likely that the harps he was working on are the last things on his family's mind right about now?
Can we at least let the public eulogy be delivered before the harmonica world starts arguing over who is going to disclose which one of his customizing techniques and how some half completed customizing jobs are going to be finished?
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 11:17 AM
@ tookatooka I'm not pointing a finger at you. Although inadvertently I suppose I was.
I deleted the post when I saw that the very first response was not positive, and felt it was indicative of the direction the posts were going to go after that. It's not worth it to me to push any issue. Hence why I deleted rather than try to engage in anything pointless. (My question was simply a concern, thinking that others shared the same question/concern and that was the only motivation behind my post)
Everyone has a different sense of moral compass, and hence why the fireworks. It's a fine line right now.
(Edits for spelling)
---------- Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy. -Dan Castellaneta
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 11:22 AM
I like the idea that you guys might make a book about his techniques, and using the proceeds to help his wife out would be a really nice tribute.
As for talking about orders that weren't delivered and stuff, sadly life goes on. My best friend is going through a similar situation. His father just passed away and the family is trying to sell off some things with less sentimental value to cover some of the medical bills and keep things that are to precious to sell. It's a tough situation and it sucks that it usually has to be taken care of fairly quickly.
I'm not writing this as a suggestion to Buddha's wife, but sort of as a suggestion for you guys on what to expect. Someone will have to go down the list of his remaining customers and sort them into groups. If the harps are done and the payments have been made, they need to be sent out. If payments have been made and there are no harps, maybe some of his students could volunteer to finish up those harps if the customer is willing. If money hasn't changed hands you recommend someone else. If there are some extra harps lying around you can offer them to those people. Once the current customers are taken care of you can figure out what to do with what is left in a more contemplative way.
What friends can do really though, is offer support. Let his wife know that if she wants some of you are willing to help out, together, to help him wrap up his business in a way that would make him proud. After making the offer, take your cues from her.
That's just my 2-cents. There is always someone who's motives aren't so good, but if you treat everyone fairly things work out as well as they can. My heart goes out to all his friends and family.
It really is about the personal energy. When Buddha built my first harp, I was amazed by how he researched who I was before he built it. He checked out my YouTube stuff. He talked to me. He even tracked down my Flickr photos to see what my other interests are. He told me why he chose the color of comb he used. He built very personal harps. He was so very amazing. ----------
I wish this thread could be locked. It's gotten way out of hand already. I'm thankful for the 2 harps Chris built me, because they are special. He was a good friend.
Now it's turning more into people wanting to reverse engineer his work and take over his unfinished orders, etc.
I really have no interest in participating further on this forum, but I've gotten 6 more emails about Chris's unfinished work again today and someone responded to a quote that included my username.
1.) I don't know what will happen to Buddha harps...not a clue. I did, maybe unclearly, state that for those who were waiting on orders, I might be able to help set up a different harp for you depending on the circumstances and the like, but I didn't want solicitation from just anyone who wants a harp. I also was willing to pass on information to find out if anyone can help Laurie and his family eventually sort out the business end.
2.) I suggested someone eventually help his family go through his workshop and see if some orders and materials can be sent back to people who paid for his services. I don't see anything wrong with that. I don't mean to ransack anything, but people sent him thousands of dollars and shouldn't be out all of that money if it can be helped. There is also thousands of dollars with of tools and such Laurie won't need. Someone could help her move or sell that at some point.
Chris left owing me a couple of tools and combs. I don't want them even if they are sitting on his desk. However, there are dozens of people who are out large chunks of money and harps that they paid for. All I am saying is I hope there is a way in which the family can be helped to sort out the mess and communicate with those who ordered from him.
I brought it up when I did in case anyone was traveling to the funeral in AZ and could maybe help while there as many of his friends who'd actually be of help here live out of state.
Regarding Jim's excitement to reverse engineer a Buddha harp, be told his secrets, and take over his orders, I know Chris would not approve of that (and if offered to be flown down to AZ all expenses paid to finish his work and make money off of it, I would decline).
I am not sure how any of this should be handled, but I see there is a huge mess to sort out. ---------- Mike VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 11:59 AM
I don't know if you'll check back in or not. Let me apologize for a poor choice of words. I never meant to malign your intentions here.
I didn't know Chris personally and he has never built any harps for me. Nevertheless, as a long time member of the forum, I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing. So much so, that I couldn't even come to the forum for a while. When I checked in today and saw all the talk about his customizing secrets and unfinished harps, it all seemed so callous. Hell, the whole situation seems surreal.
Clearly, eventually helping his family sort through business obligations is an act of kindness. You or anyone else should be applauded for making them that offer.
As I look back on my earlier post...I realize I haven't got any standing to offer any kind of perspective on what might be appropriate here or not. People grieve in different ways, for different durations, and in different intensities. Not knowing his family, I have no idea where their collective head is at right now, whether they're even in a place to deal with the issues you've raised.
I should have kept my mouth shut, and will do so after this post. Please accept my apology.
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 12:47 PM
No Zhin man, Jim is a good friend of mine and I know for sure and he is not after money or Chris methods for that matter. Jim and CHris didn not get along but neither did I or other 90% of forum members. This is not a point. Jim is an established customizer and I seriously doubt that he will learn anything new from Buddha harp. I think, anf Jim can correct me if I am wrong but the idea is to pay tribute to Chris and possibly dimistify voodoo behind the instruments. At the end of the day they are just custom harps nothing more nothing less. Just for FYI, I have one of top end buddha harps and could've potentialy send it to Jim but he never asked for it. In other words Jim's intentions are good, I am sure of it.
I can see that Chris's spirit is alive and well. I contacted you because I felt awful after Chris passed away just wanted to chat to someone. Inspite our disagreements Chris was one of my favourite players and wasted great deal of time and his talant on some petty arguments on this forum. At least, Chris could play and many people including me respected him for that. You my friend cannot play to save your own life and still have a long way to go. Anyway, enough said, I don't want to start another argument.
My fellow members, I regretfully announce that I have no intention of selling Buddha's secrets anymore.
What I will do now instead is form an Order with my peers... Those who CLEARLY were friends and students of Chris.
We are the "Order of The Purple Monkey Fist" and we will take his secrets to our graves. We will only share amongst ourselves.
Down the line as the years go by, some of us may pass on the methods to worthy students who are harmonica players. We will not teach those who can afford many custom harps or those who are customizers.
Buddha's secrets were shared with harmonica players. He taught us because he felt it was a shame that some of us had so much talent and potential but not the right kind of instruments to grow with. He imparted his wisdom to us because he wanted to see us succeed as PLAYERS... NOT customizers.
There is no leader to the Order. We are all equal Keepers of his methods.
We are not a club that you can simply join. I do not need to list who is part of this order. We know who we are and know each other already on personal levels.
