yeah, it's one thing to consider compiling Chris' lessons and customizing secrets for the sake of preservation. It's another entirely to post something just to show that "it's not magic." I think we're all aware that Chris wasn't a sorcerer, just a very talented man.
That said, I don't see any reason why your opinions about the instrument couldn't be shared once all this has cooled down.
If everyone is so eager to share this info about Chris' custom harps, why didn't they do this when he was still with us? Why are they wanting to do this now that he has passed? I just don't understand the point of all this.
a michalek harp demystified? 99.9999% of the people who see it wont understand it anyway, and if it isnt his hands touching the instrument, why would anyone believe you anyway? after all, it wouldnt be a buddha harp then, now would it? ---------- Kyzer's Travels Kyzer's Artwork "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe." - Lao Tzu
Todd Parrott makes a good point,(If everyone is so eager to share this info about Chris' custom harps, why didn't they do this when he was still with us? Why are they wanting to do this now that he has passed? I just don't understand the point of all this.) (Im trying not to get involed but its starting to suck me in.OH no ---------- Hobostubs
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 8:53 PM
if he had some kind of trick or something special that is not known to other custmizers,I say yes ,And If its nothing that hasnt been done, whats the point? ---------- Hobostubs
Last Edited by on Dec 20, 2010 9:02 PM
I never knew Chris but I would think that the best way to preserve the memory of someone who was well regarded in this community would be to forward any suggestions to Chris' wife and seek her and Chris' family blessing especially in regards to how to preserve the knowledge he shared with friends and students.
Anyways - Ill reiterate what genesis said, this shit got out of hand long ago.
Regardless if you do it or not, my video on custom harps will be published. There will be a $300 harmonica from Chris too.
Since I already saw your video, I'd say many people would love to see it published :D Just as many who would hate it. It's life, you can't change it. ----------
@jim - You are both free to do as you wish with the information, but I think the fact that this is being discussed when Chris' memorial service hasn't even taken place is what may cause several people to lose more respect for you than what they already have.
I'm no customizer and don't want to be, so the video means nothing to me. The question here is the motive behind why you wish to share the information. Though you state that it is simply to share information, I believe many people may question or misinterpret your motive. Perhaps at a later time this could be revisited as Stickman first suggested.
I'm still not sure why if this is so important to you, that you didn't share this information with us while Chris was still alive. I know Chris said unkind things to you at times on the forum, but I sure hope this is not being done in a retaliatory way, or for spite. Some may think so however.
Alex spoke well of you when he was here, and I have thought of you as a nice guy. I have never had any problems with you and have appreciated a lot of information you have shared. I'm just saying that perhaps you should should give some thought at least to the timing of when you plan on sharing information about Chris' customizing.
I hope this thread doesn't get ugly as some of the others have. It may be best to just leave this issue alone for awhile.
I hope this makes sense and is not misinterpreted. I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do - I'm just trying to help keep peace on the forum.
I watch the military channel and they have the top 10 all the time like top 10 tanks or sniper rifles,and they break down why they are rated in the position each was ranked,A video of the top 10 harp customisers past and present might be cool ,and what makes these harps great.just a thought for maybe something in the future someone might think about. Hobostubs
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2010 1:36 AM
Thanks for the kind words. I was going to write a second post but my connection went down...
I wanted to suggest Leonid to wait a bit because honestly (having seen the video) - I'm afraid some people here may start killing each other. Not because of the quality of the instrument, but because it speaks about Chris' attitude. That's what I wouldn't want to be the cause of a holy war. I still feel bad about all that has happened.
I couldn't make a video /share info on this simply because I didn't have any of "budha harps" on hand... I still don't - waiting for it to arrive. All I saw is the one that got to Leonid. And now I have the possibility to make good videos in HD.
Todd, I think you should learn some of the customizing things. Because my experience shows (and not only mine - ask Boris for instance) that it improves playing and general understanding what makes the instrument this or that way. Jason spoke of that too as far as I remember. ----------
..sorta like trying to build a mosque at ground zero. Sure, it's legal, but in poor taste. I agree... "Let it cool down a little..". I'm naturally curious.
HEY!! I GOT AN IDEA!! (That in itself is newsworthy.)
How 'bout somebody compile some YouTube videos and forum posts about harp tweaking that Buddha himself has put out there for all to see, and put them all in one place?! :)
Do that now, then there will be all the time in the world to think about the other stuff y'all are talking about.
(Dang!! I feel like a jenyus!!)
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2010 3:07 AM
I recorded the video with one intent only to show you people that customizing is not magic. Also, even if you are not weaking harmonicas yourself you need to understand the process so you will not be ripped off. There are so many people out there who would on the idea that it is not the product it is your technique. The messed up thing is that you will never gain the technique without a good instrument. Let me emphasise one thing I DO NOT MAKE MONEY OF CUSTOMIZING!!! I do not give two shits if it will upset a couple of sectants on this forum. What I care about however is my friends and fellow harp players paying thru the nose for something they do not understand. I am not trying to make any points here, this is just a honest review. If you uncomfortable with it don't watch. I will not publish it immediately, I might not publish it at all. It is up to you.
perhaps, 'in bad taste', 'horrible timing', 'uncool', 'insensitive', 'heartless' and even 'unethical' could be lumped in there, and a few words that might get me booted from the forum as well.
you had all the time you have known what you say you know to choos to put a video you havent.
You had the chance whilst chris was alive to put the video out. you didnt.
you had the chance to ask chris if you can put the video out, you didnt.
You have the chance now to put the video out, you havent.
It seems to me that you know what the answer to your question is or the video would be out.
Take a step out of the lime light and allow a dead mans body to grow cold.
There is something very disturbing about the number (small number) of people riding hog back on chris's reputation now he is no longer around to challenge them.
You do need anybodies approval leonid and no one can give it to you. You got make your own decision but please be your own man and quit this crap.
YES,YES,YES,YES. We all should. That's why we are at this forum. Not for OT's, not for discussing animal husbandry, not to discuss arboriculture, but harmonicas. And now, we have members here who are saying "no?" You are censoring this board. Restricting free speech. Now that's a reason to quit this forum.
I understand the grief surrounding Buddha. Acknowledged. I completely understand the grief and heart felt sympathies. But Life is for the Living. He lived a life of his choice and died doing what he did best. And we go on....'nuff said.
Now, back to MBH, this forum and the video....
I signed up to this forum to learn about harp playing. Adam's video's have given thousands of harp players the ability to learn to play blues harp. Not some lesson from a Good and Plenty box, but real unadulterated, TBing, little walter shit. I love seeing some bloke in Singapore blowing harp like he came from Checkerboard Lounge on the Southside of Chicago! You think that kid learn to play like that watching the Blues Bros movie? No! He learned from this forum. What took some of us older guys years to figure out, these kids learn the technique in a matter of months! Yes!!!! How fucking cool is that?
I don't know anything about custom harps. I mean, why does it take a week to make them.? What heck is a builder doing all week? Is he like the little Keebler elves in a tree? Or is he Santa's degenerate elves banished to the land of misbegotten toys?!
I recently sent 120$ to someone on this board to build me a custom harp. 6 months wait. I went into with my eyes wide open, put my complete faith and trust into someone I don't know. When I get this thing, I want to open it and appreciate whatever this guy did to it.
This forum is about learning, creating a big tent, to gathering those from around the globe, to interact. All I had 30 years ago growing up in rural Connecticut was Tony Glover's book and a J Geils record, talk about prehistoric times. What is here now is brilliant. Let's not snuff it out.
Lenoid, post it. Now.
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2010 4:46 AM
By even broaching this subject and not having the common sense and decency to at least 'let the casket close', so to speak, before even entertaining it, I hope you realize the damage you are doing to your reputation and any respect you may have garnered here.
@ 6Sn7, this isn't about censorship;it's about respect and good taste at this point and time. ----------
Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2010 7:50 AM
Upon rereading my post I have to question my own insensitive timing. I apologize for my personal commentary at this sensitive time of loss. d ---------- myspacefacebook
bigblindray got it right. If all you folks who want to memorialize Chris / his techniques / his bio / his music / want to do that, it should be done after things cool down AND as a business venture in cooperation with his family. This is almost like "OK, Chris is gone, lets shoot his work all over the net." This sudden outpouring of admiration and support is sort of pointless if his family cannot benefit. Sort of like what William Clarke's widow has done. Let it go until someone has had a chance to speak / work with his survivors. No other response is really acceptable.
I did not have a good relationship with Buddha,to be honest.. But of course it saddens me when somebody dies at that age:(
I do NOT want to start an argument but I think that the best way of showing him respect is to let as many as possible take part in his work. You guys say he was very generous,so I think it's a nice way of paying respect to him... Many of you guys that say this is not acceptable,I guess some of you download free music on the web? Isn't that pretty much the same? It is in my book..
I don't know. It seems in bad taste to do anything like that right now? I would just wait a month or two and come out with something like that as more of a celebration of his life.
I'm sure no one would want any of his techniques or harp customizations lost to the wind of eternity (except maybe those who might stand to profit)? An archive of such things is definitely in order.
i have followed this forum for a long time. i believe the reason it exists is to share knowledge. petty attacks and bs have no place . opinions are like a**holes. everyone has one.
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2010 9:14 AM
Cultural differences ? When a person with assetts passes away it is quite human and natural to ponder the disposition of those assets. ie. Am I in the will ? Who gets the china, the samovar, the watch etc. In the cultures that I am familliar with this may be whispered about before the funeral- but it is not discussed publicly or openly. It is considered disrespectful and in bad taste. Perhaps this is not so in Eastern Europe ? I do not know. I would ask you to respect the norms of Chris's culture and refrain from public posts, querries, surveys of this nature for a decent interval of time. If it was someone close to you who passed, you would have a right to ask others to respect your and the deceased cultural norms as well.
A happy and peacefull Christmas and New Year to all. ----------
No... let some time pass, and for now, remember Chris for who he was, as a remarkable human being.
If you want to make money to be donated to Chris's memory then find personal ways of doing it (if you can not send a check to the Chase Bank account... like auctioning off a kidney on eBay, or selling your kid sister to some traveling gypsies.
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2010 11:45 AM
