[Harp-L] Rockers in the Rockies

["Jonathan Metts" <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since Rockers in the Rockies just ended, and I live two minutes away from 
the venue, I'll take the honor of being the first Rocker to report on the 
event.  It was an intensive and exhausting three days of instruction, 
interaction, and jamming.  I have to say that it's really a dream come true 
to have a weekend seminar like this filling the void between Gindick's camps 
and the theory-heavy Barrett classes.  The instructors (Jason Ricci, Michael 
Rubin, and Chris Michalek) all come from the modern school of harmonica 
playing, even though two of them are heavily steeped in the blues tradition. 
Chris brought a totally different background and philosophy that helped give 
us a breadth of musical perspective not usually associated with this 
instrument.

We started with extensive introductions from every single attendee, then 
broke into smaller groups for lessons on various topics from the 
instructors.  Jason taught scale intervals, Chris taught positions, and 
Michael taught theory.  Paul Davies also helped out by teaching us about 
octaves and tongue articulation, and Ronnie Shellist taught some groups but 
unfortunately I didn't get that lesson because he couldn't stay for the 
second day.  There were also lessons for the entire group that covered harp 
gear (amps, mics, and effect pedals), harp customization, and overblowing. 
One of the main parts of the weekend was that every person got to call out a 
song and play with Jason's band, New Blood.  We learned how to describe 
different grooves to the rhythm section, how to name chord progressions, how 
to count the tempo you want, and how to give signals to the band for 
break-downs and endings.

My personal experience:
- I gained some confidence in using 3rd position and "unusual" positions and 
got some sample tunes to practice them.
- I was reminded of how scale intervals can lead to new styles of playing 
and better solos.  (I had already learned some of this from Jason before the 
seminar.)
- I finally got a grasp on some music theory elements that had confused me 
for years.  Now I understand how a scale is put together and how it can be 
moved from key to key.
- I picked up some new tips on embossing and arcing that I can't wait to try 
out on my own harps.
- I got more ideas for how to incorporate overblows into my playing and some 
songs on which to practice OBs.
- I learned A TON about how to communicate with a band and how to be an 
effective bandleader.
- I realized that I need to stop growling when I sing, because it hurts my 
throat.

Now I've got several pages of handwritten notes, plus numerous theory 
handouts from Michael Rubin, plus hours of audio recordings of the lessons, 
all of which will take me months if not years to incorporate into my 
practices and playing.  I also want to point out our great group of 
attendees (Rockers), who constantly helped each other out with troublesome 
issues, supported each other during the performances, and were just 
generally friendly and enthusiastic to get the most out of this weekend. 
The guys in the band were also phenomenal (and patient!), and of course I 
have to thank our excellent instructors.  Part of the fun was just listening 
to these guys play beautifully all weekend long.  Thanks Jason, Chris, and 
Michael!  (I know you'll all three read this.)

If you missed Rockers in the Rockies or just want a second dose of this 
stuff (I know I do!), there will be another one this October, still nestled 
under the mountains in Boulder, Colorado.  Details will be forthcoming, but 
the murmurs I've heard so far are very exciting!

Jonathan Metts