Connectivity

Deleted
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Connectivity Jun 14, 2021 23:29:02 GMT mike likes this

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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2021 23:29:02 GMT

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but most of the harmonica greats that I've listen to seem to focus on style and technique. Maybe that's why they're considered great. If so, that tells more about us(harmonica enthusiasts) than it does them. That leaves me with the question, "Where's the music?"

When people try to learn anything, musical or otherwise, we usually go to the experts. But, the "experts" don't always get it right. In music, there's this hidden component called "connectivity"(my word). Either someone has it or they don't. Funny thing about music, someone can "do it all wrong" and be more of an expert than the experts. They have connectivity.

Rex
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Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 3:22:42 GMT via mobile bernd likes this

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Post by Rex on Jun 15, 2021 3:22:42 GMT

Hi Wheezy. Welcome to the forum.
Check out the songs of the month. The threads never close so you can add your version of a song to any thread that interests you. Or start a thread in Favorite Folk Songs.

I learned "connectivity " playing in a bluegrass band in the 90s. I talk and joke with folks, smile a lot, ask people to sing along,etc. People have more fun if they sense that you are having fun. And they like it when you are paying attention to them also, not just navel gazing. You don't have to be an "expert", but it really helps to have enough proficiency and confidence that you feel at ease on a stage. I'm not an expert, but some experts play quite well.

Buddy Greene once compared harmonica playing to a dog playing checkers. People don't expect you to be great at it, they are just amazed that you can play.

Ora et Labora

dezzy
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Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 5:57:26 GMT angie likes this

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Post by dezzy on Jun 15, 2021 5:57:26 GMT

Yes, I have thoughts similar. Some of the fiddle tunes we get on the monthly song do not sound musical to me. I work out the notes but the tune doesn’t sound musical so I usually give it a pass. Probably it would be different if I was in a band, and had background instruments playing. Another turn off for me is not being able to sound like players I hear on youtube because they play through amplifiers and get a richer sounding note. My amplifier was discarded during my recent move and I’m thinking of getting another but I’m living in a very small unit and would need low volume.
My playing doesn’t sound as good now that I’ve got good hearing aids. It’s better when I turn them off.!1
Another of my ignore the experts is that I play to my feeling. I’ll stretch notes or close them according to my feeling. That maybe wrong but its musical to me. As I play for myself that’s ok.

Keith Global Moderator Posts: 620	Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 7:51:26 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Keith on Jun 15, 2021 7:51:26 GMT I'm with Dezzy on this, I play tunes how I want to as well, & let's face it, most people do, as long as we keep to the basic tune, all is well - I call it musicallity... Edit: Sorry, almost forgot - welcome aboard.
	Last Edit: Jun 15, 2021 7:52:33 GMT by Keith (Trying to do justice to various instruments.)

Sarge Administrator Posts: 1,721	Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 13:26:07 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Jun 15, 2021 13:26:07 GMT Welcome wheezyharp. Great to have you here.
	The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.

Sebastian Senior Member Posts: 497	Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 17:02:07 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sebastian on Jun 15, 2021 17:02:07 GMT Jun 14, 2021 23:29:02 GMT @wheezyharp said: someone can "do it all wrong" and be more of an expert than the experts. I would like to see an example.
	Et qui suaviter canere non potest, sibi tamen aliquid canit. And he, who cannot sing sweetly, sings nevertheless something for himself. (Boethius)

Deleted
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Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 17:35:59 GMT angie likes this

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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2021 17:35:59 GMT

Jun 15, 2021 3:22:42 GMT Rex said:

Hi Wheezy. Welcome to the forum.
Check out the songs of the month. The threads never close so you can add your version of a song to any thread that interests you. Or start a thread in Favorite Folk Songs.

I learned "connectivity " playing in a bluegrass band in the 90s. I talk and joke with folks, smile a lot, ask people to sing along,etc. People have more fun if they sense that you are having fun. And they like it when you are paying attention to them also, not just navel gazing. You don't have to be an "expert", but it really helps to have enough proficiency and confidence that you feel at ease on a stage. I'm not an expert, but some experts play quite well.

Buddy Greene once compared harmonica playing to a dog playing checkers. People don't expect you to be great at it, they are just amazed that you can play.

Deleted
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Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 17:45:40 GMT

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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2021 17:45:40 GMT

I liked what you said about a "dog playing checkers." That's a very inciteful, wise way of looking at it! I totally agree, that many experts play quite well(create memorable music). Having the confidence to be on stage is a major leap in playing any musical instrument, I would think. You said that you weren't an "expert", but you still play very well, I'm sure.

Thank you for the information and your response. I appreciate it very much!

Sarge Administrator Posts: 1,721	Connectivity Jun 15, 2021 21:50:42 GMT Rex, Sebastian, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Jun 15, 2021 21:50:42 GMT I always figured that if you were entertaining, you don't have to be really good at playing. People like to be entertained.
	The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.

dezzy Charter Member Posts: 842	Connectivity Jun 16, 2021 0:05:35 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by dezzy on Jun 16, 2021 0:05:35 GMT Jun 15, 2021 21:50:42 GMT Sarge said: I always figured that if you were entertaining, you don't have to be really good at playing. People like to be entertained. That’s it !!!

davewoodcock
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Connectivity Sept 29, 2021 9:16:20 GMT via mobile Rex and bernd like this

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Post by davewoodcock on Sept 29, 2021 9:16:20 GMT

I think that there is a world of difference between playing solo in a concert and session playing. In traditional sessions the tunes are different versions (possibly local ) of the same tune and if possible it is best to try and follow the leader. If you are leading the tune then play it your way. I can not read music and so learn by listening so the way I play a tune is rarely the way it was written but more like my own interpretation of the original. Sessions are for fun not for musical exactitude.

Sarge Administrator Posts: 1,721	Connectivity Sept 29, 2021 10:54:31 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Sept 29, 2021 10:54:31 GMT Welcome Dave!!!
	The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.

Sebastian
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Posts: 497

Connectivity Sept 29, 2021 15:59:38 GMT

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Post by Sebastian on Sept 29, 2021 15:59:38 GMT

Sept 29, 2021 9:16:20 GMT davewoodcock said:

I can not read music and so learn by listening so the way I play a tune is rarely the way it was written but more like my own interpretation of the original.

I don’t understand this. If you learn a tune by listening, it is up to you to choose how close you want to match up with the version you are listening to. You can play it exactly as the "original", but you can also diverge from the "original" in varying degrees.

And it’s the same when learning a tune by the dots. You can play it exactly as in the notated version, but you can also diverge from the "original" in varying degrees. You choose.

As to session playing: In the end it’s all about the beer.

Et qui suaviter canere non potest, sibi tamen aliquid canit.
And he, who cannot sing sweetly, sings nevertheless something for himself.
(Boethius)

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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2021 23:29:02 GMT

Post by Rex on Jun 15, 2021 3:22:42 GMT

Post by dezzy on Jun 15, 2021 5:57:26 GMT

Post by Keith on Jun 15, 2021 7:51:26 GMT

Post by Sarge on Jun 15, 2021 13:26:07 GMT

Post by Sebastian on Jun 15, 2021 17:02:07 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2021 17:35:59 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2021 17:45:40 GMT

Post by Sarge on Jun 15, 2021 21:50:42 GMT

Post by dezzy on Jun 16, 2021 0:05:35 GMT

Post by davewoodcock on Sept 29, 2021 9:16:20 GMT

Post by Sarge on Sept 29, 2021 10:54:31 GMT

Post by Sebastian on Sept 29, 2021 15:59:38 GMT

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