Re: [Harp-L] re:How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from PossibleExtinction



Thanks for doing that, Randy. It helps to illustrate how easily those old wounds can fester. In the 7 years I have been coming to SPAH, I have watched the playing field begin to level.

As the two instruments revive the tendency to share genres of music and commonality of purpose, it seems a shame to divide them through terminology and revive the harping (no pun intended) that drives the arguments for the exclusive use of either instrument.

As an organization, we should be becoming sophisticated enough to eventually give that up. On the positive side, I have watched the jazz jams, blues jams and hallway jams integrate the two instruments to a greater extent than in the past. '05 SPAH was a good example of the fact that there is room for everyone.

Some of the old chromatic players have told me the same thing. There is a distinct beauty in the "slid" note and, another separately distinct beauty in the "bent" note. In the long run, it's all about attitude and perception.

Mark Russillo
(a.k.a. The Rhode Island Kid)
----- Original Message ----- From: "randy singer" <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "elaine miller HARMONICA" <PEMILLER86@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 1:06 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] re:How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from PossibleExtinction



i hope you do not mind i am posting the cogent and heartfelt comments from my student, elaine miller.

she is a kind hearted lover of the harmonica------of all configurations.

thank you,

randy singer


Begin forwarded message:


From: "Phillip L. Miller" <pemiller86@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 5, 2005 3:02:12 AM EDT
 To the dear members :

It is noteworthy that the statement about the possible extinction of the
chromatice harmonica came from personal observation and from an article written by Alan "blackie Schackner entitled, Is There a Future for the
Chromatic Harmonic?" that appeared in The Free-Reed Journal and reprinted with permission from The Harmonica Educator. Please see webpage:
http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/essays/schacknerfuture.html


ALSO--------

--- Response to comments made about my article on
How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from Possible Extinction
(written by J. Elaine Miller)


I appreciate the many responses to my recent article on, how we can save the chromatic harmonica from possible extinction. This was my first article that I have written to be posted and I was not totally prepared for some of the reactions that I received. While there were a few reasonable and positive replies, there were others that seemed to have missed the main purpose of my article! It is for that reason that I am writing this follow up response.


The main purpose of my recent article was to explore the possibility of having different names for the two main types of harmonicas, the diatonic and the chromatic harmonicas, as I felt that this would help create more public awareness for the chromatic instrument and would hopefully aid in fostering its growth and popularity.

It was not my purpose to discrete the diatonic harmonica in the process of helping the chromatic harmonica, as I have played both instruments, and have a large collection of each. Several years back I taught my class of third and forth graders how to play the diatonic harmonica, before I retired from school teaching. Nevertheless, to quote Blackie Schackner, the two instruments are not the same, just as the flute is different from the clarinet, or saxophone.
I feel this difference should be respected by giving each instrument its own name. I had suggested that the chromatic harmonica could be called a chromonica and the diatonic harmonica could keep its name, but I have received some other possible names which I am including for consideration. Since the name chromonica was used as a Hohner brand name, it was suggested that the chromatic harmonica could be called a Grand Harmonica or a Double Harmonica, since it has twice as many reeds as a diatonic. It was also suggested that the diatonic harmonica could be called a harp and the chromatic harmonica could keep its name. These are just a few of the possibilities that were presented, which I feel are worth considering. The important thing is not so much what we decide to call the chromatic instrument, but that we all have a meeting of minds and come to an agreement on a name.


I am NOT suggesting that this is all that is needed to promote the chromatic instrument, as I realize that this generation needs to be educated and trained in playing the harmonica, if we are to expect the next generation to carry on this skill. I have a degree in music, but was never exposed to the harmonica in all of my college training. In fact, I was told by my professors that the harmonica was a musical toy! We all know that that is not true, but until the harmonica (especially the chromatic instrument) gains the respect of the educational world, we will continue to struggle to keep this wonderful instrument from becoming extinct.

sincerely


elaine miller

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