[Harp-L] Women on harp

[Harri Haka]

I have wondered, regardless of genre, why there are so few female
harmonica artists around. Is it because women have less breathing
ability than men? Or is it just a tradition that the ladies sing and do
other instruments? I know there are talented harmonica women but they
are a minority. For comparison, there are many ladies who play guitar
that have achieved worldwide respect. But as to harmonica, not many come
to mind. In my opinion, it would add value to a talented vocalist's
repertoire, if she played harp on some tunes. Needs practice, of course.
But I believe that if women can jump pole vault and play ice hockey,
they should be able to play the harp too.
Harri

[Robert Loomis]

We have only 2 or 3 women players i our Web-based SF Bay Harpers club, and I
once asked the group why so few women play harp. One answered: "One word:
Lipstick." ;^)

Harri Haka wrote:
"I have wondered, regardless of genre, why there are so few female
harmonica artists around. Is it because women have less breathing

ability than men?" (snip)

[joe leone]

On Nov 20, 2010, at 8:37 PM, Harri Haka wrote:

> I have wondered, regardless of genre, why there are so few female
> harmonica artists around. Is it because women have less breathing
> ability than men?

Hardly, women are built to handle TWO people at a time breathing
wise. While their lungs may be smaller, they are certainly as
efficient. Listen to Michal (Adler) Groenich...of the Adler trio. She
certainly can handle harp.

> Or is it just a tradition that the ladies sing and do other
> instruments?

Not exactly.

> I know there are talented harmonica women but they are a minority.
> For comparison, there are many ladies who play guitar that have
> achieved worldwide respect. But as to harmonica, not many come to
> mind.

I think women conotate playing harmonica with hard times, sadness,
melancholia, prison, hobo jungles down by the railroad yard,
alcoholism, etc. And while some may go for that sort of thing, I
don't think most DO.

> In my opinion, it would add value to a talented vocalist's
> repertoire, if she played harp on some tunes.

We have a few of those. Elizabeth (tin lizzie) Hess is the newest
inductee. lolol

[Hellerman, Steven]

FYI: Dolly Parton plays pretty good cross harp!

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:25:47 -0500
From: joe leone <3n...@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Women on harp
To: harri...@northjuke.com
Cc: Harp L Harp L <har...@harp-l.org>
Message-ID: <5B3165C8-7E71-406B...@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

[Harp...@aol.com]

Little Jenny (and the blue beans) was an excellent harp player. I believe
she passed away not all that long ago? All woman band from Sweden...great
blues players.
Doug

[Garry]

i think the initial premise of this thread was incorrect.
sure, there are not that many women harp players,
but relative to the low number of harp players in
general, i think we're at least on par with, for example,
guitar players.

the OP talked about there being no well known women,
but how many well know harp players are there at all,
among the general population. and how many well known
women guitarists are there?

--
We make a living from what we get,
but we make a life from what we give.
- Kathy Moser

[Mick Zaklan]

Not to tick people off, especially on a holiday, but my wife can get
physically ill watching a woman play harmonica. "It creeps me out!" is her
explanation. Occasionally she will come to a convention, but quickly make
tracks if there is a female harp player in the vicinity. The last time was
the banquet dinner at the SPAH where the Adler Trio played. She lasted a
few numbers into the set and then bolted for the door. I remember her
exclaiming, "I've got to get out of here!". She was already moving when she
said it.

Mick Zaklan

[Alexander Savelyev]

how about these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9uz4KJd2Xw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQeO-_dmTSY

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>>> Harri Haka <harri...@gmail.com> 11/21/2010 3:37 AM >>>

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[Jim Rumbaugh]

Let me cast some light on Geneva Red. I've only heard her and seen her on
Youtube, but she's stole my musical heart. This is my idea of "good time"
blues playing. I've tried to find out when and where she plays, but have
never found an answer. If you know how and when I could see her play, let
me know. The gang from The Harmonica Club of Huntington,WV would like to
make a road trip to see her. ( I have been in contact via email with her
booking agent, but thge agent has NEVER given me a date of a perfomance

Geneva Red
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqKFnkF6Or4

[Harri Haka]

Hi Jim and Alexander,

Thanks for your informative posts and links to great examples of women
playing harmonica. Jim, did you try to connect on * g...@genevared.com ?

Harri
*

Jim Rumbaugh kirjoitti: