Re: [Harp-L] Re: Relaxing while playing





There is a further aspect that I (also) would like to mention. I call it 'diatonic revelations'. In the ever present discussions about the difference(s) between diatonics and chromatics, I had come to the conclusion long time ago that one can have more revelations with a diatonic. Let me explain (if I CAN).


Now I don't know how other people practice but, there are players who are primarily diatonic players who also play 'some' chromatic. There are also diatonic players who play some chromatic, but mostly in 3rd position (Dm). Then there are players who play mostly chromatic and 'some' diatonic. Then there are those who play only one of these...or BOTH nearly equally.

So, a player is practicing and comes up with a really really nice run, riff, or string of notes. Or maybe even a different sound. This usually occurs with a diatonic. Inasmuch as a lot of the notes have to be (for lack of a better word) 'Invented'. I don't know what others would do, but I have this creepy suspicion that they do the same thing I do. When I have one of these revelations, I usually jump up from my desk chair (in the garage, next to the water tank..lolol), and yell out some crude explative. Like: "YEAH, #$%^^&*)(*, THAT's right, that's what I'm talking about.". Then I walk around the garage and wonder how I did that.

I don't get that with chromatic. With a chromo, you already have all the notes. Nothing has to be a product of YOU. How you stretch the notes or time them is about all you have to work with. You don't get to breath and give life to the notes in the same way that you MUST with a diatonic. Therefore, when having an epiphany on a diatonic, you get a sense of pride/accomplishment, call it what you will. Now all this can help your ego/give satisfaction, call that what you will also.

So what you wind up with is 'Comfortability'. Comfortability and the feeling that you CAN do what you want to on a harmonica can be a major step in RELAXING. No reason to tense up.

smo-joe




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