[Harp-L] SPAH convention
Mick Zaklan
appears to be at least the 2nd straight year where the people hosting and
doing most of the grunt work were 70 or 80 years of age. I don't know that
we can continually depend upon senior citizens to staff these things. In
the future, I can't see 90 or 100 year-olds throwing conventions for us.
Mick Zaklan
joe leone
street into traffic and getting hit by a garbage truck. Viewing at
McDonald-Eberlie funeral home.
Tim Bete
I think Jon Gindick is on the right track with his Jam Camps. Jon is getting people who have never played before to spend a grand to come to his camps. I think he's successful partly because of how he describes the experience:
"A Limited Enrollment 5 Day Jamming and Learning Vacation...with a Focus on You"
"the Fundamentals of Blues and the Joys of Jamming"
"We love all levels of harmonica players. Raw Beginners: we have a strong program for you.. Including preseminar phone lesson. Advanced and intermediates: no worries, we offer separate classes on separate levels."
"Let Jon Gindick and some of the world's most talented player/ coaches help you go there and beyond."
I realize Jon's program has a narrower focus than SPAH but I think he's on to something. Jon's all about enjoying playing TODAY, even if it's the first time you've picked up a harp. People want immediate gratification and Jon delivers that combined with a long-term focus. When I hear about things like comb tests, it makes me think of high school science class, which doesn't conjure up memories of "fun." ;-)
I haven't been to Jon's Jam Camp yet but I'm saving my money. For me, the description of SPAH just isn't the same.
Tim
Doug H
Doug H
fjm
have been to a couple of SPAHs and I find them somewhat overwhelming but
not because of the size. It's about the focus. It's too harmonica
centric for me. I'm a musician who happens to play harmonica and SPAH
while being somewhat about music is really more about harmonica. The
recent ranking of some of the younger players is an example of what I'm
talking about. Granted it's a huge event with little corners of
interest at every turn. It's pretty easy to wander down the right hall
and bump into something interesting. I didn't go this year. I couldn't
wrap my mind around being adjacent to the Mall of the Americas. I did
go last year, I really liked the location city, Sacramento. Ironically
the other harmonica event city I really liked was Minneapolis but at the
Harmonica Summit and in the centre of downtown not in a suburb.
joe leone
On Sep 6, 2010, at 6:17 AM, Tim Bete wrote:
> I've never been to SPAH but the sales info I've read makes it sound
> like a huge convention that would be intimidating the new, casual
> player.
Not at all. I went to my first spah an intimidated scared bunny
rabbit. I was immediately met by warm friendly people. Harmonica is
the world's original grass roots instrument, and that aura attracts a
certain following. You don't choose to play harmonica. It chooses
you. IF you're of the right mind set.
>
> I think Jon Gindick is on the right track with his Jam Camps. Jon
> is getting people who have never played before to spend a grand to
> come to his camps. I think he's successful partly because of how
> he describes the experience:
> "A Limited Enrollment 5 Day Jamming and Learning Vacation...with a
> Focus on You"
> "the Fundamentals of Blues and the Joys of Jamming"
> "We love all levels of harmonica players. Raw Beginners: we have a
> strong program for you.. Including preseminar phone lesson.
> Advanced and intermediates: no worries, we offer separate classes
> on separate levels."
> "Let Jon Gindick and some of the world's most talented player/
> coaches help you go there and beyond."
> I realize Jon's program has a narrower focus than SPAH but I think
> he's on to something. Jon's all about enjoying playing TODAY, even
> if it's the first time you've picked up a harp. People want
> immediate gratification and Jon delivers that combined with a long-
> term focus. When I hear about things like comb tests, it makes me
> think of high school science class, which doesn't conjure up
> memories of "fun." ;-)
> I haven't been to Jon's Jam Camp yet but I'm saving my money. For
> me, the description of SPAH just isn't the same.
It IS true that you will play more at Jon's camps, but spah is an all
around experience. It's not just playing. Its interacting.
Interacting with some of the most wonderful people you will ever
meet. I have only played on 1 evening show in my 19 years. I don't
care to. I would rather listen to the huge talent present. And maybe
keep busy jamming and mingling. For me, it's all about the
camaraderie. It's like harp-l..diversified.
smo-joe
> Tim
>
>
Jim Rumbaugh
The Harmonica Club of Huntington, WV is making LONG TERM plans to host
events. For example, next year we are combining The WV State Harmonica
Championship with The Diamond Teeth Mary Blues Festival. One LONG term goal
would be to hold SPAH in WV. I am trying to figure out the importance of
air travel.
Jim Rumbaugh
Chris Michalek
"teach-in" every year at SPAH where he has some of the world's best players
available for teaching.
I haven't been to teach in table aside from my own, but I work with players
of all levels and ability, my focus has always been to get players to become
better musicians though I'm always happy to help people with technique. I
can't speak for others but I have methods that will fast track nearly any
player. During past teach-ins I've taught people to bend and OB in less than
a minute. However, I often dismiss technique and get people playing music as
quickly as possible, I often teach people how to play music using two notes.
I always try to have another musical performer with me so we can play music
rather than just sitting around and talking and I go a step beyond and work
with each person on a individual level so I'm not some guy who is sitting
there preaching about what to do, I actually show you how to be a better you
rather than a lesser me.
joe leone
Jim Rumbaugh
I would like to know how many people FLEW to the SPAH that just happened.
For example, I did not go to SPAH this year due to distance and cost of
airfare. I am making plans for next year's Virginia Beach, VA event because
I know can drive it (and I know the wife likes Virginia Beach). I am trying
to find out how many people typicaly FLY into such an event.
Jim Rumbaugh
Jerry Deall
Thanks Jerry,
http://www.thebluesambassadors.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bluesambasador
http://www.facebook.com/bluesambassadors#!/pages/The-Blues-Ambassadors/189384179665?ref=ts
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Rumbaugh" <jrum...@live.marshall.edu>
To: har...@harp-l.org
Bob Cohen
On Sep 6, 2010, at 11:48 AM, Chris Michalek wrote:
> with each person on a individual level so I'm not some guy who is sitting
> there preaching about what to do, I actually show you how to be a better you
> rather than a lesser me.
I can speak to this first hand. Chris is a very kind and patient teacher. He spent a lot of time with me a couple of SPAHs ago trying to help me learn how to OB. But even that was an off-shoot from a couple of hours in a small group working on 11th and 12th positions with TJ Klay as rhythm section. As good as Chris is, he's not unique at Joe's SPAH teach-ins. I can honestly say that all the teachers are great.
Back to the Convention vs. Jam Camp discussion, they're structurally different. At SPAH No one tells you how to spend your time. There's no follow PATH X and you'll become a "Y" in four days. Attendees are presented with many choices and have the ability to pick and choose. For example, on Saturday Howard Levy was teaching a course on what he does and Paul Davies was teaching a course on using two harmonics to mix chording a lead playing. I knew I would see Howard at his performance later that day and opted for Paul's seminar because that's what I was interested in learning to do.
My impression after three conventions is that people are fun, generous, and kind, but tend to be very intense. Everyone is there to pack as much harmonica and harmonica people into the week as possible. Yeah there's a certain amount of showing off, but even that is pretty cool. So you have to make a point of meeting people. Once you get over that hump, man there's no limit to the fun, camaraderie, and teaching. I think that is what differentiates SPAH from masterclasses and jam camps.
Bob
joe leone
I flew from Foot Myers. The distance was 1450 miles and $350.10.
Being in south west Florida, I typically have to fly. If I drive
north, it's over 350 miles JUST to get to the Georgia border. My
distances are:
1.... St Louis 1277 mi. (fly)
2.... Kan Cty 1400 (fly)
3.... Minn 1450 (fly)
4.....Denv 1616 (fly)
5.....Dallas 1265 drove (stopped N.O.La. on return)
6.....Memphis 988 drove
7.....B'mingham 656 drove
8.....Columbus 1212 drove (got to Pgh)
9.....W'msburg 909 drove
10...Detroit 1382 (fly)
11...New Jers 1287 drove (visit family)
12...Chicago 1377 (fly)
If I go to Va Beach, I will drive. It is 840 mi. for me. It costs me
money to go to spah. But the people bring me back.
Winslow Yerxa
The SPAH Convention, on the other hand, is whatever you want to make of it - it's a huge, rich bazaar of *everything* related to the harmonica.
If comb tests sound like a dull subject, don't bother with that. You've got tons of other choices during that same time period. You could:
- Go to a different seminar scheduled at the same time.
- Visit the vendors and see the cool new harps and talk directly to the manufacturer, or try out an amp or microphone
- Participate (or just hang out and absorb) in a hallway jam for blues, or bluegrass, or jazz or just playing melody on the oldies.
- Get a one-on-one lesson at the teach-in, or informally from someone who you happen to meet.
Additionally, each night there are concerts, often involving the best in the world on a particular type of instrument and/or in a particular style. And those same stellar players are there during the day, hanging out and jamming, and are approachable if you want to ask them a question.
Admittedly, this could be overwhelming. But it's an amazingly rich set of possibilities, and the choices among them are entirely yours.
If Jon's Jam Camp appeals to you, do it; you won't be sorry. Once you've gotten your sea legs a bit, you may feel more ready for the amazing variety that the SPAH convention has to offer.
By the way, I should point out that SPAH is not just an event. It's a club that you join, with a quarterly magazine, and it's yet one more way of connecting with other harmonica players worldwide.
Winslow Yerxa
Entertainment Director, SPAH
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
Columnist, harmonicasessions.com
--- On Mon, 9/6/10, Tim Bete <t...@timbete.com> wrote:
From: Tim Bete <t...@timbete.com>
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: SPAH convention
joe leone
On Sep 6, 2010, at 1:12 PM, Bob Cohen wrote:
> Everyone is there to pack as much harmonica and harmonica people
> into the week as possible. Yeah there's a certain amount of
> showing off,
>
I call it 'Harp Torettes'. I don't have it. I can play as much as I
want here and with no intimidation factor. I don't HAVE to play. As
to the showing off. There will always be alpha types around. I'm a
beta, so I avoid them. As to the mixing & meeting people..yes, yes,
and yes.
smo-joe ( the 'they' that say)
Richard Hunter
Jon's program is designed not only to inspire, but to produce specific results in a short period of time, and he delivers the goods. Campers improve their playing and get more pleasure from playing, both of which are all good. SPAH isn't designed to produce specific results for anyone--it's an experience, not a program, and the experience is mostly about sharing our feelings for the instrument, not progressing in a particular direction. I think that's okay so far as it goes, but there's a limit to how far it goes.
SPAH might indeed learn something from what John does. Focus is important. Focus attracts. I enjoy SPAH--in particular, I enjoy hanging out with great harmonica players whose work inspires me--which is why I keep coming back. But neither the structure of the event, nor the audience, has changed a lot in the last few years.
What SPAH stands for is apparently able to draw an audience of 400 harmonica players and fans, some of which are among the best players in the world. The core of that group is pretty stable, which is another way of saying that it's not growing.
But there are events for harmonica players in Asia that draw over 2,000, including hundreds of younger players. What are they doing differently?
Regards, Richard Hunter
author, "Jazz Harp"
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
Twitter: lightninrick
Bill Hines
are FANTASTIC, it's no place for many of the raw beginners that Jon draws.
There's not much structure, just a bunch of tables with people sitting
around them and a highly knowledgeable instructor or two (some of whom can
be a little um, intimidating in their demeanor sometimes!), each table with
different themes from 3rd position, some might be teaching repair, etc. Not
the place for someone who's already struggling to find their way.
Jon's jam camps are structured and adaptive and built around personal
attention and confidence building. I think the original suggestion was
superb, if Jon's camp ran the few days leading into SPAH and then the
attendees would emerge with the confidence he instlls in them, filled with
excitement, into the world of SPAH and all that it offers (including
Filisko's teach-ins).
Bill Hines
Tony Eyers
"But there are events for harmonica players in Asia that draw over 2,000,
including hundreds of younger players. What are they doing differently?"
I've been to SPAH in 2005 and was at the 2008 and 2010 Asia Pacific
Harmonica Festival as a performer and judge. I can tell you the difference.
SPAH is a wonderful event, featuring the many of the great American
players. Players of all levels are welcome, part of the festival is
focused on teaching, lead by Joe Filisko. The concert and workshops are
terrific, there is an informal feel. Lots of time with old and new
friends, great jams lead by Jimi Lee and others. There are some
chromatic players, a few trios, but the focus is mostly 10 hole harmonica.
As I recall, the SPAH audience tended more toward my age group. I'm 52,
I felt right at home.
The Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival is about competitions. There are
over 2000 competitors, most are under 25. Harmonica teaching is well
organised in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan. They
mostly play Chromatic and Tremolo, the focus is on classical playing,
particularly in Hong Kong. Not many 10 hole players. The leading players
take teaching very seriously.
I judged the trios, and heard 25 groups. 20 of them were good, half a
dozen were exquisite. Likewise for the junior solo competition. There
were many orchestras, high school kids mostly. All dressed up, excited
to play, excited to be there. The 10 hole harmonica competition had 6
entrants only.
The big concert was held in one of Singapore's major concert theatres..
The feature for me was the Hong Kong orchestra, who played a piece
commissioned for the event. They were brilliant.
Conclusion. Lots of young players in Asia. Not many young players in the
west, at least not at SPAH. My observation is that in western countries
the harmonica is an instrument more popular with older people, like me.
Perhaps it's because we focus so much on blues. We love it, the younger
folk don't so much.
Tony Eyers
Australia
www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
...everyone plays
joe leone
On Sep 8, 2010, at 2:38 AM, Tony Eyers wrote:
>
> Conclusion. Lots of young players in Asia. Not many young players
> in the west, at least not at SPAH. My observation is that in
> western countries the harmonica is an instrument more popular with
> older people, like me. Perhaps it's because we focus so much on
> blues. We love it, the younger folk don't so much.
>
> Tony Eyers
> Australia
> www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
> ...everyone plays
>
>
money to send these youngstars. Maybe sponsors?
smo-joe
Ken Hildebrand
Ken H in OH
--- On Tue, 9/7/10, joe leone <3n...@comcast.net> wrote:
> From: joe leone <3n...@comcast.net>
>
> On Sep 8, 2010, at 2:38 AM, Tony Eyers wrote:
> >
> > Conclusion. Lots of young players in Asia. Not many
> young players in the west, at least not at SPAH. My
> observation is that in western countries the harmonica is an
> instrument more popular with older people, like me. Perhaps
> it's because we focus so much on blues. We love it, the
> younger folk don't so much.
> >
> > Tony Eyers
> As I told Richard off list, someone? has to be coming up
Tony Eyers
"As I told Richard off list, someone? has to be coming up
with the money to send these youngstars. Maybe sponsors?"
For the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival there is no sponsorship as far
as I'm aware, not even for the elite players. All the contestants pay
their own way to get there, they generally stay in cheap accommodation.
The festival organisers work really hard to get government support,
however this is for the use of venues etc. Again I'm not sure of the
details, just glad that I don't have to organise any of it. No-one seems
to be in it for the money, they just love the harmonica and the chance
to win the competitions.
The responsibility for Asia Pacific Harmonica festival organisation
passes between countries, the next one will be in Malaysia in 2012. I
know the Malaysian people, they'll do a great job.
joe leone
On Sep 8, 2010, at 6:47 PM, Tony Eyers wrote:
> smo-joe said
>
> "As I told Richard off list, someone? has to be coming up
> with the money to send these youngstars. Maybe sponsors?"
>
> For the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival there is no sponsorship as
> far as I'm aware, not even for the elite players.
Maybe some elite players have 'factory rep' support? At least some in
the U.S. do. Not sure about elsewhere.
> All the contestants pay their own way to get there
Then it must not be as expensive as some other places. Maybe
transportation is cheaper. But I would imagine that lodging in Hong
Kong can be frighteningly expensive..even for a 'relatively' cheap
place. OR there are facilities like hostels. etc. Maybe access to
reasonable food.
> , they generally stay in cheap accommodation.
What qualifies as cheap? The venues look posh.
> The festival organisers work really hard to get government support,
> however this is for the use of venues etc.
Maybe they use cultural centers for the fests?
> Again I'm not sure of the details, just glad that I don't have to
> organise any of it. No-one seems to be in it for the money, they
> just love the harmonica and the chance to win the competitions.
I never thought 'for profit' was an issue.
>
> The responsibility for Asia Pacific Harmonica festival organisation
> passes between countries, the next one will be in Malaysia in 2012.
> I know the Malaysian people, they'll do a great job.
Singapore can't be too cheap.
Cah...@aol.com
In a message dated 9/8/2010 4:42:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
3n...@comcast.net writes:
place. OR there are facilities like hostels. etc. Maybe access to
reasonable food.
No Hostels for me! I've seen the movie ;-)
Mark