kudzurunner
2324 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:40 AM
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"What else do you play?"
or
"Do you play any other instrument?"
I have been asked some version of this question countless times, after I've identified myself as a harmonica player. I suspect many of you have, too.
Since I play guitar, my usual response is to smile and say, "Well, I also play guitar," but I almost always follow that up with some version of "You'd be amazed how often I get that question, and it's usually from people who aren't familiar with really good harmonica playing." And that leads to an interesting conversation.
Comment, please! Have you been asked this question? What was your response? What should our collective response be?
It's like being a trombone player, only worse. People--including other musicians--don't respect trombone players, which is trombone players are always the butt of musician-jokes. But at least trombone is thought of as a legitimate instrument. NOBODY EVER ASKED A TROMBONE PLAYER "WHAT ELSE DO YOU PLAY?" That means that harmonica players, as a group, are the bottom of the bottom--except, of course, when we are THE sound that everybody loves. Nobody ever quit a dayjob to travel around the world with a trombone in his backpack.
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HarpNinja
1107 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:48 AM
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This is the story of my life! Every time I introduce myself to a band or inquire about an open position, that is the response. :(
I did win one for the team the other weekend. We played a show in a nice room that had a lot of 21-35 year olds and they were way into the harmonica.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 2/1/11
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gene
675 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:48 AM
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Just for fun (watching their expression), answer "Cowbell."
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ReedSqueal
92 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:49 AM
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You could answer like this:
"Yes! I also play the Mississippi saxophone, the tin sandwich, the lickin' stick, the gob-iron, the rhythm stick, the sidewalk Stradivarius, the mouth organ and the French harp. And probably a few more"
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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7LimitJI
393 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:52 AM
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Yes been asked the same question umpteen times.
I usually say no, just harp. I then let my playing do the talking.
When I tell people I bash away on the piano this is met with a much approval.
Unlike the harp which is considered a toy by too many.
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The Pentatonics Myspace
Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
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RT123
80 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:53 AM
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I also play the trumpet and drums. kinda a weird combination but it is what it is. Whenever I get asked I always leave out the drums because once I mention them that is all they want to talk about and in my opinion its the most boring to talk about.
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orphan
2 posts
Feb 14, 2011
9:54 AM
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Yeah, I get asked that too. That last time was when I ran into someone I jammed with about 4yrs ago. I asked if she had finished her CD project. I said I would like to get together sometime and play. That's when she asked if I played any other instruments. I said yeah, I got a pedal steel guitar. She said WOW why don't you bring it and lets get together. I said "That Steel is like a bad blind date. I go out, spend a lot of money, don't say much and come home wishin' I had never went."
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PaulM
124 posts
Feb 14, 2011
10:37 AM
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or "Is that all?" to which I reply "yep". Of course, I also played the trombone in junior high? Maybe there's a pattern here?
Of course after the first set, folks often ask for more harp, or hey, turn that harp up a little more.
Fun. All a lot of fun.
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Joe_L
1064 posts
Feb 14, 2011
10:43 AM
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That's never happened to me.
Where I live, people respect the harmonica and many of it's players. There are a lot of really good players around here, so it's not uncommon to see one of them out and about.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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chromaticblues
587 posts
Feb 14, 2011
10:45 AM
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This is funny! I'm glad you asked! I played in a band name the "Hipnotix" for more than ten years in northern New York. The same time period you (Adam) were playing with Mr. Satan. We were playing some where and when we took our first break I went straight to the bar. So I orderd five beers and this guy walks up and says, "Wow that was really cool harp playing. Do you play anything else? I said " I always wanted to be a professional whisler". So he asked me "why don't you? My answer "because I suck at it"! About twenty drunken fools heard me laughed so hard they almost peed themselves. So from that point on. When ever someone asked. Thats what they got. Some people would stand there and scratch thier head trying to figure out. What the hell does that mean? That was actually fun. After awhile I enjoyed people asking!
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Bruce S
25 posts
Feb 14, 2011
10:47 AM
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I've been asked this question more than a few times before at jam nights. My usual response is "Well, I sing a little too..."
I took to putting myself down as a vocalist and then putting instrument down as harp.
It is an annoying question. But have you noticed that the people who ask it usually compliment you on your playing after?
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joshnat
110 posts
Feb 14, 2011
10:55 AM
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It's about equivalent to the experience I had when telling some classical violist friends that I was now playing in a band. "Oh really, what do you play?" was the response. "Harmonica." He almost laughed the beer out of his nose. The only thing funnier to them would have been "classical harmonica." Should we all carry that Buddy Greene Carnegie Hall video around on our phones?
Nope, we don't get no respect, EXCEPT by the many people who have tried--and failed--to learn to play harp. Looks easy when done right, just like anything else.
Asking Adam (whom I heard on BB King's Bluesville this morning...congratulations, Adam!) if he plays another instrument is like asking Michael Jordan if he plays baseball. Oops.
Anyway, I would love to have a standard response to this. No one asks guitar, bass, drummers, etc. if they play something else.
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LittleBubba
29 posts
Feb 14, 2011
11:16 AM
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I think the problem partly stems from the fact that there's so many aspiring harpers who get up at open mics and can't play a lick, and don't know the tunes.. so we've brought it on ourselves.
There's way more harpers who get up and can't play than any other instument, imo.
Otherwise, it is amazing how much music can come out of such a little instrument.
And, yeah, one's playing is an adequate response. I've always felt sorry for bands who get unknown harpers up and don't know what they've got until those first notes. They're so relieved when they find out you can play.
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DirtyDeck
158 posts
Feb 14, 2011
11:23 AM
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Well I'm a guitarist more than anything so the fact that I play harmonica is usually mentioned as an afterthought. Have yet to meet this harp-predjudice but I ain't looking forward to it!
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chromaticblues
589 posts
Feb 14, 2011
11:24 AM
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Little B
I and you know your right, but twenty some years ago I was that person. I couldn't help myself. I had to! I was addicted to it!
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pharpo
545 posts
Feb 14, 2011
12:13 PM
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@chromaticblues - what part of Northern New York ????
My answer....I used to be a drummer in a garage band when I was 15. My parents could not afford to by me a "real" set of drums.....so I went to the local music store and bought my first Marine Band....been in love ever since..............
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Procrastinator Emeritus
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Greyowlphotoart
466 posts
Feb 14, 2011
12:24 PM
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Question: "Do you play any other instrument?"
Answer: I found the best, why bother with the rest.
 Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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Barry C.
169 posts
Feb 14, 2011
12:33 PM
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I think it's all about how much conviction is in your answer - do you stick your chest out and proudly proclaim YES I PLAY THE HARMONICA - or meekly mumble some incoherent sudo-justification for 'only' playing harmonica, as you head for the exit or start digging the nearest hole?!
Man if I were of Adam's or similar ilk I'd have it tatooed on my forehead for all the world to see "Damn right I play Harmonica!" I say where it loud and proud like when we grew out our hair in the 60's!
Totally disarming~
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~Banned in Boston!
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thechangingcolors
10 posts
Feb 14, 2011
12:54 PM
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yeah people dont even know whats going on. learning to play the harmonica is just as hard as learning the guitar, in some ways harder . but people just arnt very impressed with the harmonica. it looks so simple so they just assume its easy to play. my little brother makes fun of me for playing the harmonica, but he still hasnt even grasped the concept that you can get notes by inhaling through the holes as well as exhaling..
however, the harmonica does not have the worst reputation of the instruments. most people think that the harmonica is cool to some extent, and almost everyone likes the sound. but people usually laugh when i tell them that i play the recorder-like littereally laughing out loud. yet the recorder is beautiful sounding instrument when played correctly and it is definantly not easy. but since they give them to little kids in elementary school, no one takes it seriously as an instrument.
from now on whenever anyone asks me "what else do you play?" im gonna say "the occasional game of monopoly" then im gonna jump on them, hold them down, and force them to listen to my harmonica
Last Edited by on Feb 14, 2011 12:55 PM
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boris_plotnikov
445 posts
Feb 14, 2011
1:30 PM
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I don't remember that question ever. Most people and even musician here are hardly familiar with harmonica playing no matter bad or good, they're not tired of weak harmonica playing like Dylan style in US
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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Greg Heumann
1047 posts
Feb 14, 2011
1:35 PM
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Funny - I get that in one way or another. I think I am a way better harp player than sax player - however people tend to give me more cred for playing sax. Oh well, as long as they remember me and come to see the band, that's all that matters.
But it is also true that WE know how hard it is to play harp well - but for 99% of the audience, all that matters is whether they like what comes out of it.
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/Greg
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lumpy wafflesquirt
312 posts
Feb 14, 2011
2:38 PM
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@Adam
but you play foot drum as well. Isn't solo harp good enough for you? Other intrumentalists don't feel that they have to play two instruments at the same time.
I only play harp these days [ex-trombonist]
I'm just glad I'm not a banjo player, they really get to be the butt of the jokes round here.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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thechangingcolors
15 posts
Feb 14, 2011
2:56 PM
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nice name lumpy =D. the thing is this isnt about how people think of adam gussow, its about how they think about harmonica in general. but then again maybe not. if people make fun of banjo players where you live, and recorder players where i live, maybe it really just boils down to peoples lack of tolerance for things they dont understand or are not use to.
Last Edited by on Feb 14, 2011 2:56 PM
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waltertore
1069 posts
Feb 14, 2011
2:58 PM
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I started out as just a harp player/vocalist. That lasted about 4 years before I began to add the guitar. I don't recall anyone asking me if I played any other instruments or comments that I read alot on the net that say stuff like "oh no another harp player". Then again, I was playing and hanging out in clubs that were blues based and the harp was considered a normal instrument in the lineup. Maybe this happens when one goes to open mics and stuff like that? Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
2,600+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
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Littoral
269 posts
Feb 14, 2011
3:42 PM
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Funny you should ask. I went on about this a few months ago and mostly got "never heard that question".
We have to filter through the hacks. One big problem is that somebody can get in the right key without knowing squat. I don't know of any other instrument that can get away with so little knowledge and get through a song. People see them for sale at the Cracker Barrel. It's a toy.
But when I get off stage they never ask if I play anything else.
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BigBlindRay
90 posts
Feb 14, 2011
4:00 PM
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Hi MBHers.
Here is a common scenario I find myself getting into
Person X: "So what do you do?"
Me: "I'm a musician!"
Person X: "Oh really? Cool! So what do you play? No wait, let me guess... You're a Bassist? No wait...Drums! Yeah, you're a drummer. You LOOK like a drummer"
Me: "No. I play Harmonica" *makes an Air Guitar Gesture*
Person X: *confused*
:D
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Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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rbeetsme
387 posts
Feb 14, 2011
4:00 PM
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I often tell people I play both kinds of harp, Jews and French harps.
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RyanMortos
1021 posts
Feb 14, 2011
4:13 PM
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I play more then one instrument :D .
I usually get positive or neutral feedback from people I tell I play harmonica. Usually when they see the passion I have for it it'll go from neutral to positive as well. And more often then not people around my age bracket first think of Blues Traveler. One time somebody mentioned Billy Joel, lol. Though my one buddy at work who occasionally gigs on blues piano makes negative comments from time to time. The other week jokingly I asked him if he knew anyone looking for a harmonica player cause I could use a few extra bucks. His response was harmonica players don't get paid. Growl.
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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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hvyj
1237 posts
Feb 14, 2011
4:24 PM
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Yeah, I get asked this. When pressed, I tell them I don't know how to play anything else. But, I regularly get comments like, "you can really play that thing" which i consider a compliment.
Actually, harmonica is often viewed as a double. Most often the other part of the double is lead vocals. But I'm that rarest of musical commodities: A working harp player who doesn't sing.
Last Edited by on Feb 14, 2011 4:28 PM
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garry
28 posts
Feb 14, 2011
5:23 PM
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"i play harp. why would i want to play something else?"
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phogi
507 posts
Feb 14, 2011
5:42 PM
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The correct answer is: There are no other instruments worth playing.
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XHarp
424 posts
Feb 14, 2011
6:46 PM
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I also get this question because I play guitar too. I simply tell them what else I play then turn the question and ask them if they play anything. Once you're into the discussion on music you'll get plenty of opportunity to talk about the harp as an instrument.
I think you just need to accept the question and their initial ignorance of the harp get the conversation going. You already have their interest if they are asking you the question. Sieze the moment to make a new friend and promote the harp.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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thechangingcolors
19 posts
Feb 14, 2011
6:49 PM
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best answer = ReedSqueal's
i will definantly make a point to say that to someone
Last Edited by on Feb 14, 2011 6:49 PM
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Cristal Lecter
50 posts
Feb 14, 2011
7:11 PM
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In fact I use to have the same experience as Adam when I answer that I play harp, same answers "what else do you play?"...
BUT, try this answer instead: "I play diatonic harmonica, Richter tuning" and you'll see the silence after that, or the "WOW good on you" coming...
Or in the opposite saying ( this one is my favourite) : "I play a little bit of harmonica", and of course no one takes it seriously till you say or play what you can do with it...
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Never try to be as good as someone else, succeed to be the best player you can be!
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shadoe42
3 posts
Feb 14, 2011
7:18 PM
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I get asked this quite a bit. However given the nature of my band i get asked a lot of strange questions :) but the instrument that actually gets the most ridicule is the irish whistle or penny whistle as it is often called. The harp way less so.
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http://www.musicalblades.com
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LittleJoeSamson
498 posts
Feb 14, 2011
10:37 PM
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I used to get the question, but since I play regular and have some rep, I now occaisionally am requested to play trombone. I was shocked last week when my sax player asked me to more often !
Thing is, the bone is totally a second instrument for me, and when I DO use it...it is more for stage appearance.
( Exception, when we do our Beatles shows, I sing "Yellow Submarine" and do the brass fanfare.
I play the bass/bari bugle on "Why Don't We Do It In the Road" ).
I would play more, but discovered a long time ago that too much brass playing messes up my embouchure for harp .
The other question I get asked I borrowed the answer from Kim Wilson:
Q. "What's it take to play like you do ?"
A. "About 35 years" .
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Andrew
1305 posts
Feb 15, 2011
1:51 AM
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The correct response is, "why do you ask?"
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Andrew,
gentleman of leisure,
noodler extraordinaire.
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The Gloth
578 posts
Feb 15, 2011
2:26 AM
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In Belgium, the usual reaction to "I play harmonica" is not "What else do you play ?", but rather "Ah, like Toots Thielemans !".
And then I explain that I play diatonic, not chromatic, and blues, not jazz...
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jbone
493 posts
Feb 15, 2011
3:46 AM
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great comments here, very revealing question Adam!
i realized when i was reading the responses- whenever i sign up to play at an open mic or jam, i always put down harp/VOCALS. if you "just" blow harp you get put off to the side more, where if you are also a singer there's a better chance you get to lead the house band or some configuration of jammers on stage in a few songs.
i've also found that when talking to prospective bandmates the response is more optimistic usually if i offer my vocals. then there are the times when i think it may work the opposite. some band leaders don't want another singer in the mix of their project. so i've also gotten accustomed to telling prospective employers- ie band leaders- i can do the sideman thing on harp, OR i can also contribute vocals and material if it's desirable.
every time out, whether it's with guys and gals i know or total strangers, i mind my manners and do my very best to fit in and add to the material being played. and i make it known that no, i "only" blow harp, sing, write material, and am a team player in all respects when it comes to music.
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