RE: [Harp-L] re: Harmonica Infidelity

["Marc Molino" <mmolino54@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree, as I'm also orally-fixated (I like chewing straws, ice, toothpicks, 
etc.), but Winslow's comments about the addictive quality perhaps related in 
the inhale/exhale process really touched on something for me. A while back I 
had almost written a post called "Help-I'm Addicted" because there would be 
(and still are) nights where I'd find myself staying up until 1 or so in the 
morning with me on my back on the floor just breathing in and out of the 
harmonica (with the dog curled up next to me covering his ears with his 
paws). And if I don't have a harmonica on me, I feel like I've left 
something crucial behind (akin to my wallet or keys or a hand... ). It's 
strange, because I'm usually pretty self-critical and given my current skill 
level, I should abhor myself, but I seem content to keep plugging away, 
discovering new subtleties every day and stumbling forward in greater 
measures every couple of weeks or so. It feels like I'm holding some sort of 
puzzle in my hands and each piece opens up a new world just a little bit 
further.

I'm not sure I would have felt like I was cheating on my C harp if the G 
harp was by the same manufacturer (the G, a Lee Oskar, was my first 
non-Hohner). But now that the line has been crossed, I'm looking forward to 
many a harp affair. Maybe one day I'll let both harps out of their cases at 
the same time...

It's darn cold here in D.C. --the last two mornings have been around 10 
degrees.

-Marc Molino




From: "Rebecca Davis Winters" <wordworkshop@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] re: Harmonica Infidelity
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 09:37:10 -0700

*Elizabeth wrote:*
*Of course I'm assuming that Rebecca was merely being as  light-hearted,
humorous and tongue-in-cheek as the originator of this  thread?*
**
Eh.... mostly. However, I do think there might be, in some cases,
psychological phenomena at work when people choose to play harmonica.
Certainly it might not be a phallic symbol to everyone, at least not on the
conscious level. But there are other possible correlations as well. I like
what Winslow wrote:

*While many musical instruments are played only by blowing, the act of
inhaling on a harmonica is physically not unlike smoking. And like smoking,
drinking, and eating, it involves bringing something into your body that
changes your mood.*

I think that for those of us who tend to be orally fixated, this is worth
thinking about. Speaking for myself, I like putting things in my mouth and
this is definitely part of the harmonica's attraction. For years I have been
a nail-biter, and if I wasn't violently allergic to cigarettes, would
probably smoke them, just because I like smoking things.

There is also something to be said about harmonica playing as a mood
altering activity. This might be due to the musical stimulation, but also
surely has some relation to the physical activity of deep breathing that
vigorous harmonica playing requires. I remember getting a distinct buzz
after long sessions of harmonica playing, especially in the beginning when
my lungs were getting used to it. Nowadays I am so out of shape that I am
more likely to pass out, unfortunately.

In any event, harmonica playing has got to be a better habit than smoking
tobacco, but I wouldn't recommend it as a substitute for sex in any event.
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