Comments on: How to Become a Blues Harp Player http://www.harpsurgery.com/become-a-blues-harp-player/ the harmonica player's web site - tuition, reviews and interviews Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:15:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Roguie Ray http://www.harpsurgery.com/become-a-blues-harp-player/comment-page-1/#comment-10085 Roguie Ray Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:53:32 +0000 http://www.harpsurgery.com/?p=740#comment-10085 you almost make it seem like we have a choice....we is what we is.... thats all we can be... and if you really think you got it all figured out then you need to ask god what his plains are.... fact is ....I'm a blues harp player because its the only thing in my life i could ever hold on too......couldn't hold a job so i couldn't hold a wife the only thing i ever held on to was this ol harp... the only thing I ever done right...so thank you lord for makin me so dam useless that all I can do is kiss the girls an play my harp.... you almost make it seem like we have a choice….we is what we is…. thats all we can be… and if you really think you got it all figured out then you need to ask god what his plains are…. fact is ….I’m a blues harp player because its the only thing in my life i could ever hold on too……couldn’t hold a job so i couldn’t hold a wife the only thing i ever held on to was this ol harp… the only thing I ever done right…so thank you lord for makin me so dam useless that all I can do is kiss the girls an play my harp….

]]> By: Elwood http://www.harpsurgery.com/become-a-blues-harp-player/comment-page-1/#comment-2833 Elwood Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:50:13 +0000 http://www.harpsurgery.com/?p=740#comment-2833 Carl, thanks for your thoughts. (Personally I've had a lousy experience or two with LO, but let's not start that debate.) Players are welcome to spend as much as they like on equipment - although I recommend limiting yourself to 20 % of your income. The main thing is equipment upgrades must never be used as a substitute for a serious and dedicated practice regime. I've been surprised at how many people make that mistake. Carl, thanks for your thoughts. (Personally I’ve had a lousy experience or two with LO, but let’s not start that debate.)

Players are welcome to spend as much as they like on equipment – although I recommend limiting yourself to 20 % of your income. The main thing is equipment upgrades must never be used as a substitute for a serious and dedicated practice regime. I’ve been surprised at how many people make that mistake.

]]> By: Carl Sutterby http://www.harpsurgery.com/become-a-blues-harp-player/comment-page-1/#comment-2816 Carl Sutterby Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:28:32 +0000 http://www.harpsurgery.com/?p=740#comment-2816 Elwood, good to meet you at the NHL Bristol thingy, I said I would send you a response from a Regional Sales Manager, with more sense than money. I have learnt never to assume anything about anyone, or you could miss something important, I was going to buy Wilf a cup of coffee, but he was gone and back workshopping again, neverminds give your dad my best (see assumptions never good ;-) Anyway point taken about expensive equipment, I keep a set of Hering cheapies in my car (yes you will see me on a garage forecourt, head shakin and blues a wailin' like ise waitin fer ole Nick himself to show me the way). But more importantly, there is a trend with manufacturers to start releasing more and more expensive gob irons, and that is not good for anyone. All the major companies except Lee Oskar, have done this....hmmmm band wagon coming through. My LOs are still playing great and fully rebuildable. I have some Suzuki ProMasters and HarpMasters that are both cheap and very playable, so why bring out the Manji and Pure Harp ranges that are way too expensive for most players. Hering have also taken this 'Premium' route with fancy toot! I want a harp that is playable from the box, kind to my lips, sweet on the ear and not going to cost me more than a bottle of Jack. Hohner have come in on the act with the CrossOver, yeah you think you want a Marine Band do you, well modern air tight, sealed comb....'loadsamoney'! I am grateful for manufacturers sorting out leaky un sealed wooden combs, but as yet no one has invented 'the future harp'. Harrison Harmonicas, reckon they have but at $180 each, thats a lot of wonga for a harp, if thats the future of harmonica, I am not sure I want it. Perhaps to end on an optimistic note, to see and talk to the boys at Seydell was an eye opener, seeing things from the manufacturers point and why it is important to know what is happening inside your harmonica and how to set it up for your embouchure and playing style, which WILL effect how the harp plays 'out of the box'. Interesting comment also about the polite letter they have to send out to say that the harp plays ok, but the player doesn't. Good on you Seydell and Lee Oskar. Elwood, good to meet you at the NHL Bristol thingy, I said I would send you a response from a Regional Sales Manager, with more sense than money. I have learnt never to assume anything about anyone, or you could miss something important, I was going to buy Wilf a cup of coffee, but he was gone and back workshopping again, neverminds give your dad my best (see assumptions never good ;-) Anyway point taken about expensive equipment, I keep a set of Hering cheapies in my car (yes you will see me on a garage forecourt, head shakin and blues a wailin’ like ise waitin fer ole Nick himself to show me the way). But more importantly, there is a trend with manufacturers to start releasing more and more expensive gob irons, and that is not good for anyone. All the major companies except Lee Oskar, have done this….hmmmm band wagon coming through. My LOs are still playing great and fully rebuildable. I have some Suzuki ProMasters and HarpMasters that are both cheap and very playable, so why bring out the Manji and Pure Harp ranges that are way too expensive for most players. Hering have also taken this ‘Premium’ route with fancy toot! I want a harp that is playable from the box, kind to my lips, sweet on the ear and not going to cost me more than a bottle of Jack. Hohner have come in on the act with the CrossOver, yeah you think you want a Marine Band do you, well modern air tight, sealed comb….’loadsamoney’! I am grateful for manufacturers sorting out leaky un sealed wooden combs, but as yet no one has invented ‘the future harp’. Harrison Harmonicas, reckon they have but at $180 each, thats a lot of wonga for a harp, if thats the future of harmonica, I am not sure I want it. Perhaps to end on an optimistic note, to see and talk to the boys at Seydell was an eye opener, seeing things from the manufacturers point and why it is important to know what is happening inside your harmonica and how to set it up for your embouchure and playing style, which WILL effect how the harp plays ‘out of the box’. Interesting comment also about the polite letter they have to send out to say that the harp plays ok, but the player doesn’t. Good on you Seydell and Lee Oskar.

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