ZackPomerleau
440 posts
Nov 09, 2009
8:59 AM
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I had to write two mini essays today: one demonstrating how I feel on a subject and one demonstrating how I THINK about a subject. Here is "Think" one...What do you guys think???
The diatonic harmonica is an instrument that has been consistently over time be criticized as an instrument with too many limitations and could not be used in music in a decent way. Of course, through time, the usage of the instrument became more apparent in music starting with the blues of the early nineteen thirties and later. The usage of bending on the harmonica allows for expression of sound, creating a feeling that can be heard within the music that was not possible to do with the piano and many other instruments that have no note bending capabilities.
Later on more people criticized the instrument claiming that the harmonica could not be used outside of blues as, again, they argued the instrument was not capable of be chromatic or being played in several keys. This was proven wrong by people such a Will Scarlet, Mike Turk, and most notably Howard Levy. Through these players the idea of the harmonica being incredible was reinforced. These players played the harmonica in several keys and even dived into jazz that was normally played on the saxophone thus confirming the great capabilities of this tiny, portable instrument.
Although small, the instrument has been proven over the years to be a valid instrument for blues, country, rock, jazz, and all styles of music. Popular with non-musicians, the instrument itself can be carried around easily in ones pocket without any discomfort. Jazz harmonicist Howard Levy once joked it was the only instrument that could be played while you were driving. One shouldn’t need anymore confirmation about the validness of harmonica in all music.
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the frozen canuck
68 posts
Nov 09, 2009
9:05 AM
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Very well put ZackPomerleau,it`s true the harp is a well unstated instument,thanks again ZackPomerleau
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ZackPomerleau
443 posts
Nov 09, 2009
9:05 AM
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Thanks man!
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scottb
60 posts
Nov 09, 2009
9:25 AM
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Pretty ballsy to post an essay on Professor Gussow's site. (Unless you were looking for a free proofread.)
I sometimes expect Gussow to send my posts back with little red marks on them.
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ZackPomerleau
444 posts
Nov 09, 2009
9:47 AM
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Actually, that never crossed my mind :-D
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rbeetsme
22 posts
Nov 09, 2009
9:59 AM
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Check your grammar. (and while your at it, better check on Grandpa too!)
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ZackPomerleau
446 posts
Nov 09, 2009
10:19 AM
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Rbeetsme: no editing has been done, it was a quick right, but I got it covered!
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ZackPomerleau
447 posts
Nov 09, 2009
10:45 AM
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Tuckster, I got that!
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mickil
611 posts
Nov 09, 2009
11:05 AM
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Zack,
And put separate thoughts in their own paragraph; makes it much easier to take in, dude.
Seriously though, I often can't be bothered to read long posts that don't use paragraphs. On my little netbook, my eyes and brain get a bit strained. Age, I suppose.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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ZackPomerleau
448 posts
Nov 09, 2009
12:00 PM
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It did have paragraphs until I posted it on here.
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nacoran
360 posts
Nov 09, 2009
12:10 PM
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You could work on the general flow of the lines a bit too, but that's all I can say... fighting urge to be English Major Dude... must resist nitpicking... must resist...
(Don't worry, it's not you, I usually melt down at least once a week. If I don't it voids the warranty.)
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Andrew
741 posts
Nov 09, 2009
2:49 PM
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I'd have to know more about you and the purpose of the essay (what/who it's for) before I could comment.
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Kinda hot in these rhinos!
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Ryan
25 posts
Nov 09, 2009
3:04 PM
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For some reason this forum doesn't let you make indentations when starting new paragraphs. So unless you put big spaces between paragraphs, it'll sometimes end up looking like one long paragraph.
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ZackPomerleau
449 posts
Nov 09, 2009
3:04 PM
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She just wants to get us out of writing in first person. It was supposed to be VERY short.
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MrVerylongusername
618 posts
Nov 09, 2009
3:17 PM
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The forum uses HTML so you can format text by putting it between <p> and </p> tags
<p> like this </p>
Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2009 3:18 PM
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mickil
614 posts
Nov 09, 2009
3:36 PM
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MrV,
I just hit enter twice. It still parses OK. I suppose that's because the code for enter isn't the same as that for white space. Anyway, it works. I do it all the time on here.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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MrVerylongusername
620 posts
Nov 09, 2009
4:55 PM
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Actually Mick I do too!!! dunno why I mentioned it! must be tired ;-)
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Baker
38 posts
Nov 10, 2009
5:08 AM
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I might be worth mentioning that bending also allows other notes to be accessed.
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KingoBad
127 posts
Nov 10, 2009
6:02 AM
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I think you need to clean up your grammar and clarify exactly what it is you are arguing. You make some appeals to assumptions that need more support.
I'm also not sure how the portability of the instrument supports your argument.
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MrVerylongusername
623 posts
Nov 10, 2009
6:11 AM
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You've used usage twice in the opening para. I think changing the second one to technique makes it read better.
I guess it's what "I think" so feel free to disregard, but I thought part of the appeal of harmonica was the vocal like quality it has.
since you dwell at length on chromaticism - shouldn't you mention the chromatic and maybe even the 'rivalry' (is that the right word?) between the old-school chrom players and the blues influenced diatonic players?
Just thoughts. when do we see the 'feel' essay?
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ZackPomerleau
450 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:28 AM
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The feel essay is hilarious! :-D It's kind of like, "I think the harmonica is the greatest instrument in the world."
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