Subject: Re: [Harp-L] spah.org Content

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Actually...the 'squib' is already there...right on the first page (last  
line of the last paragraph), where one is welcomed to SPAH. (I did notice a  
couple of typos so will gladly volunteer to help Bob do any proofreading he  
might want to run by me since it's one of my fortes)....
 
...but the gist of this very warm welcome is what brought most of us  to 
SPAH originally. There has been so much written about the various SPAH's over  
the last few years - if you do a search of the archives around the last two 
 weeks of August of each year - you'll get an idea of the kind of amazingly 
good  time people have had attending each Convention. Many of us wrote  
synopses post-SPAH.  Being a beginner is no detriment to having  a wonderful 
time. The entire idea is to promote and preserve the harmonica.  In fact many 
people who attend don't play at all, but are spouses of or other  family 
members of players. 
 
Much of the playing in the lobby and hallways (and outside) is  not 
particularly of 'pro' quality...but is specifically promoted to  encourage people 
of all ability levels to join in. SPAH people don't look down  on or 
discriminate against anyone... the most exciting part for some of us is in  being 
able to meet and mingle with our harmonica heroes, and sometimes  finding 
ourselves standing next to them while they play in an ordinary  hallway 'jam'. 
'Listening with big ears' is of course one of the most important  things to 
do, especially at one's first Convention. We all did  it.
 
... And just for the record, this most recent 'thread' has absolutely  no 
bearing on SPAH...Smokey Joe Leone (Smo-Joe) is being a bit misunderstood by  
some people who should know better, especially since many of those same 
people  vigorously defended the idea of competition and open criticism of other 
players'  videos on harp-l over the last several years.  I've known him to 
be  one of those always patiently willing to help a 'newbie' with tips and  
information in emails or at any convention and is usually recognized at a  
Festival by the entourage surrounding him.  But he will express his  thoughts 
honestly, and his opinion is as valid as anyone  else's here.
 
Elizabeth
 
>From SPAH's home page:
 
"Welcome to SPAH
     
spah.org was created to support our mission and to support  harmonica 
musicians and harmonica vendors throughout the world. Well will  do this by 
communicating with the harmonica community about our  organization, other 
harmonica organizations, events, websites and other  information about harmonicas, 
harmonica players and harmonica music.  
We want to inform everyone about the rich heritage of harmonica music,  the 
many talented musicians currently making music with this phenomenal  
instrument, and the great pleasure to be derived from learning to play the  
harmonica. 
The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica, know  as 
SPAH, is an international non-profit organization incorporated in the  
State of Michigan in 1963 by a small group of visionary harmonica  enthusiasts 
who were passionate about the instrument and about its  relevance to 
contemporary and future music .  
Our members, who hail from the far reaches of the globe, span the full  
spectrum of ability from **newly minted beginners (emphasis  added) to the best 
harmonica players in the world. Our musicians play  all styles and music 
and types of harmonicas.  
Thinking Music? Think Harmoncia! Think SPAH. Harmonica happens  here!"
*******************
"Message: 5
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:09:34 -0500
From:  Elizabeth Hess <TinLizzie2009@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L]  spah.org Content
To: Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Harp-L  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Bob,

I took a look through the web  site, and it's already quite good!

One idea:  I am thinking  about attending the SPAH convention this year 
(i.e. 2010), but feeling  a little intimidated by all these heavy 
hitters on Harp-L, and the  vigor of their exchanges, especially a 
recent thread about "these"  players being better than "those" players, 
etc.

I am not a  complete beginner, but I've only been playing for about 18  
months.  Clearly, if I go to SPAH, I will expect to listen way  more 
than play.  But a squib about why a non-expert player would  still enjoy 
the SPAH convention -- and what he or she ought to expect  from the 
experience -- would be a welcome  addition.

Elizabeth


On Dec 14, 2009, at 8:05 PM, Bob  Cohen wrote:

> Quick poll: what kind of content would you like  to see on spah.org?
>
> Bob
>
> Bob Cohen
>  Principal, MojoTools Interactive Media and Marketing
> Publisher,  spah.org
> Chairman, Wrentham Board of Selectmen
> W:   www.mojotools.com
>  _______________________________________________