Re: [Harp-L] The way I see it; [and the rest of us]?

["Chris Michalek" <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>
>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: icemanle@xxxxxxx
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The way I see it; [and the rest of us]?
>Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 17:18:31 -0400
>
>>If only Chris would add "IMO" at the end of sentences such as "NOTES
>and Position do not matter".

I title my subject THE WAY I SEE IT


>> 
>>I've been moved to my feet by one perfect sustained note played by
>Albert Collins at a live show. I've been moved to tears by one
>perfectly placed note w/gentle vibrato in a trumpet solo by Chet
>Baker. I've been moved to wonderment by the one unexpected choice but
>somehow perfect note played by Miles Davis in many of his solos.

Miles was a very sloppy players and BTW thought in terms of colors. 
Read his books...

Note choice is cultural.  What you think is cool others around the
world will think you're an idiot. You are reacting to the emotion he
is putting into that note. Simply playing an Ab or Bb etc is
meaningless without the context of shape, tone and color.


 Neil
>Young still excites me with his one note choice solo during "Cinnamon
>Girl".
>> 

I'm homophobic so I'll stay away from that :-) IMO etc etc...

>>Listen to the power of a well placed note in the harmonica playing
>of Big Walter or Jerry Portnoy - very accessable stuff to any level
>of harmonica player. 
>> 

Again it's the emotion. I'm willing to bet these guys didn't even
know what note they were playing at the time.  It's a coloration,
shape etc  they are using coupled with emotion.


>>Note choice (based on knowledge of scale degree, relation to the
>harmony, timing and a feel for the rhythm underlying) will make an
>audience react.
>> 

No Way Jose.  It's delivery and in most cases delivery is charged by
emotion, shape and color.


>>Nothing wrong in thinking this through while learning, practicing,
>and (gasp) even during a performance, IMO. It works for me and many
>of my favorite musicians.
>> 

Everything is wrong with thinking. The zone is like being in love. No
thought required and it's useless anyway.  Live the moment and feel
good. IMO



>>The Iceman
>> 
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Chris Michalek <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>
>><The most important thing I have learned is people react to emotion
>>and rhythm NOT note choice. Notes mean nothing and rhythm joined by
>>emotion is everything. Don't believe me?  Take a simple tune like
>>Jingle Bells, play any note other than the correct note BUT play the
>>rhythm and you along with everybody else will still be able to
>>identify the song. NOTES and Position do not matter.>
>> 
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Chris Michalek

www.michalekstrone.com
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