I was casually looking at some harmonica merchandise like t-shirts and the like. I came across this t-shirt design which had the slogan

"One-note harmonica solos are pure genius"

And I wondered what were peoples thoughts on this? Obviously everyone has their own preferences, styles and tastes but I am interested in hearing them. I have this discussion with a friend not infrequently, who I very much respect his opinion on music, and he completely disagrees with the above slogan.

I personally think that one-note solos are quite different from the stereotypical harmonica solos, so it makes a nice and sometimes surprising (in the right hands) change. Also I am more of a chromatic player than a diatonic player so that would have probably shaped my view.

Thoughts?

Music can be made with one note, but it would be more of an accompaniment than a solo. Jon Gindick, in a beginners lesson, showed how one note can sound musical. I would hardly call it genious, though.

I kind of got the feeling they were having a bit of fun at the harp players expense,in that they were expressing the opinion of the other members of the band. If not, never mind.

Walt may have something there, but I must say that I agree with what gene said.

yes I agree with Walt's opinion, slogans on T shirts are invariably of the tongue in cheek variety rather than serious debate. Interestingly I wonder just how many of these contributor comments here, will be Chromatic players.

Depends on the talent of the player. Just because it's one note doesn't make it genius. But in the hands (or mouth) of a harmonica genius it could be.