re: Butterfield (was OVERBLOWING-"the 8-track of techniques"-NOT!!!!!!)

[randysinger <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2003 09:31:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jp Pagan <jpl_pagan@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: re: Butterfield (was OVERBLOWING-"the 8-track of  
techniques"-NOT!!!!!!)

 >this is a very minor quibble, but Paul Butterfield was
not, as you say "formally unschooled" in his
"musicality." Butterfield studied classical flute from
an early age, eventually studying with the first chair
flautist of the Chicago Symphony while in highschool.
His parents were apparently fans of classical and jazz
music.<
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Sir,

Actually, I wished to distinguish between being formally schooled in  
the harmonica specifically and having a schoolled mentality based upon  
another instrument.

Most musicians do not automatically transfer their knowledge base of  
one instrument into the harmonica without lots of formal practice on  
the harmonica.

Thus, even tho Paul was schooled in the flute (which undoubtedly helped  
his harmonica playing, which I totally adore), I would consider him an  
unschooled harmonica player, in a formal sense. I am really not hearing  
his flute playing in his harmonica playing as well.  What I can hear in  
his playing is a more well rounded musicianship, most likely due to his  
commitment to training. And credit must be given to Paul not only for  
his ability to play harmonica, but for his proficiency for making a  
BAND, especially a multi racial band whose tremendous achievements  
resonate today and served as a sort of school for other musicians  
similar to the "school" that Art Blakey "created" in his day. Many  
great musicians came out of Paul's and Art's band.

But, just for balance, there is an old joke. Here is the rough  
paraphrase..--A man says to a musician, "Hey can you read music? and  
the musician replies, "yes, but not enough to hurt my music!!!" The  
underlying context here is that many schooled musicians who can read  
chicken scratches at four yards have lost the ability to improvise. I  
believe there is no substitute for 1)formal schooling 2) street cred  
and improvisational abilities 3) Combo playing live-the art of  
performing in front of an audience with a fellow musician or band.

Long live the  
harmonica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
!!!!!!!!!!!!

randy singer

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