David Kettlewell explanation page
We as a group, it seems, have formed some opinions about David Kettlewell. Mr. Kettlewell joined us for a while,
but was "un subscribed." Since that time, Mr Kettlewell asked to give his side of the story (defend himself, as it
were) of some of the criticisms he feels he has received from the folks here at SlideMeister. The following is
SlideMeister's version on "Equal Time" from Mr Kettlewells perspective:
Hello to everyone,
In the interest of enjoyable discourse, and perhaps some clarifications or "alternate views" Mr. Fedor has allowed me a section to provide my input on various points brought up on Slidemeister, which I will do.
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #1
Many of you have said positive things about me and my work in the last 5 years, or expressed genuine interest....and some of you have published very critical comments. To those who positive things, thanks, and to the critics...I have some things to ponder which you have kindly brought to my attention.
Of all the misconceptions which exist relating to my work in the field of chromatic harmonica, the one which troubles me most is the suggestion that Phil Sardo of Philharmonicas.com and I are not friends, or that I don't like his harps.
Nothing could be further from the truth...I like Phil, alot, and his harps are currently superb from my limited experiences with the most recent models...the only truly current harps I have being a 16 hole Special sent in the unusual key of Bb (new model Psardo harp with black anodized covers) and an orchestra tuned 12 hole Special. A current model Psardo Elite and Gold Bar should be in in my hands in from 3 to 12 weeks at the outside.
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting many of you, through attendance at harmonica events, because I was ill and had to not live at home for a year. But I'm better and back home.
HISTORY WITH PHIL SARDO
Phil contacted me about a year and a half ago to say hello and say he wanted to have me try his harps and give my input, at the time he made the Gold Bar and Elite. I suggested he mail them, but he said, "No, I want to fly out to meet you at your home with my wife." He and his wife arrived with a Gold Bar and an Elite and a peach pie.
The harps were very intriguing, and I said that there was some room for minor improvements, but that overall, I felt his unique designs and custom build quality had the potential to be the finest harps in the world, based in part on a conversation I had with a friend, an Italian composer of modern pieces with an interest in chromatic harmonica, Andrea Antonello Nacci.
Andrea said that the sealed chambers for each 2 reed pair (actually created by channel cut in the covers themselves by CNC, and each 2 reed grouping on a single platelet held on by tiny screws making reed replacement, and tuning of blow reeds easy- blow reeds reside on the inside of the harp, so to tune them you just flip the position of the platelet) would have the effect of turning each chamber into a mini Oboe, and that in his opinion, it raised the instrument to the level of a professional orchestral instrument. As Andrea has multiple degrees in music and has been playing professionally and composing from the age of 15 (which I have not) I didn't really express an opinion to Andrea, but I was certainly going to listen closely to the harps.
Like all new inventions, Phil's harps and patented ideas have seen evolution over time to their current high quality state. I have a new Psardo Special 12 hole orchestra tuned harp, and an unusual 16 hole Psardo Special tuned in the key of Bb (I think they arrived a week ago) I actually play pieces on Psardo Special orchestra tuned 12 (key of C) and then Bb 16, and decide which is easier to play on that given piece.
The Special is an unusual and interesting instrument, which actually sells for LESS than half the cost of an Elite or Gold Bar, I think the current Special pricing is $850 for the 12, and $950 for the 16. I believe most Psardo Special 16's are made in Solo C tuning.
It is my opinion that the PSARDO SPECIAL is the highest evolved expression of Phil Sardo's genius with harmonica design, with what I consider a gorgeous malleable tone, totally airtight, and very light due to the aluminum mouthpiece and comb... all anodized (the mouthpiece and comb are anodized in Gold, the covers in Black which has the plus of showing no fingerprints.
The 12 and 16 Psardo Specials are my current daily players, and I did create I think 6 videos posted on my YouTube Channel MASTERS OF HARMONICA, on various characteristics of the Psardo Special 12, and am working now on a grouping of videos on the Psardo Special 16.
I am not paid for these videos, I don't work for harmonica companies, the videos and my writings reflect my opinions. I have various opinions over time, sometimes they change.
I haven't really compared the new Psardo SPECIAL chromatic harmonica to the Elite and Gold Bar harps. I should have the new Elite and Gold Bar here soon, but they have some innovations and I'm not sure of the date of arrival.
ANY suggestion that Phil and I are not friends, or that I am going to sue him, or that he is going to sue me are simply untrue.
Any suggestion that I don't like him or his harps is inaccurate in the extreme...I play them every day because they are the best instruments I have.
If you don't believe me, call him and ask him personally, his cell is right on his website under CONTACTS, it's the first number listed, not the number farther down for Cindy.
In my opinion, Phil Psardo deserves both congratulations and respect for seeing the harmonica in a new light, kind of like a modern-day Delorean.
In the day ahead, I will address some of the other comments I've read on Slidemeister.
Thank you again to Mr. Fedor for allowing me to provide additional input which may serve to clarify points published on Slidemeister.
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #2
Some members posted that Italian composer Andrea Antonello Nacci does not exist, or was hoodwinked into contacting me to work with him as an improvisational artist on his compositions.
He would like to talk to you to clarify...please reach out to him on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Andrea.Antonello.Nacci
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #3
Some members of Slidemeister have said that I am unqualified to record information on chromatic harmonica technique.
If you have a problem with some piece of specific technical advice I've offered, send it to me for consideration.
The web is not a buy in world, you create and post, and people view it or not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KT-K5hrhcA
I am free to post, you are free to post. If you do better, I would welcome it very much as we need more METHOD information out there.
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #4
A few of you have said I can't play the instrument.
Now I know people at the top and they don't talk that way; you'll never see a William Galison or Stevie Wonder or Joshua Bell (violin) say those words, they have too much respect for any musician doing their best.
Now in the music world here's how a comment like that is managed...you say someone can't play...you pick up your harp and make a recording on the same backtrack and post it on LOVE OF CHROMATIC HARMONICA, and SLIDEMEISTER TOO, and maybe you are better, and maybe you are not.
Here's my recording of Gershwin's Summertime…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzDz-RrO3Vg&t=19s
And the same backing track for you to use, under the baton of Alim Shakh in St. Petersburg, Russia…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmEkugzJVw4
I hope you do well and will enjoy listening.
David Kettlewell
In the interest of enjoyable discourse, and perhaps some clarifications or "alternate views" Mr. Fedor has allowed me a section to provide my input on various points brought up on Slidemeister, which I will do.
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #1
Many of you have said positive things about me and my work in the last 5 years, or expressed genuine interest....and some of you have published very critical comments. To those who positive things, thanks, and to the critics...I have some things to ponder which you have kindly brought to my attention.
Of all the misconceptions which exist relating to my work in the field of chromatic harmonica, the one which troubles me most is the suggestion that Phil Sardo of Philharmonicas.com and I are not friends, or that I don't like his harps.
Nothing could be further from the truth...I like Phil, alot, and his harps are currently superb from my limited experiences with the most recent models...the only truly current harps I have being a 16 hole Special sent in the unusual key of Bb (new model Psardo harp with black anodized covers) and an orchestra tuned 12 hole Special. A current model Psardo Elite and Gold Bar should be in in my hands in from 3 to 12 weeks at the outside.
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting many of you, through attendance at harmonica events, because I was ill and had to not live at home for a year. But I'm better and back home.
HISTORY WITH PHIL SARDO
Phil contacted me about a year and a half ago to say hello and say he wanted to have me try his harps and give my input, at the time he made the Gold Bar and Elite. I suggested he mail them, but he said, "No, I want to fly out to meet you at your home with my wife." He and his wife arrived with a Gold Bar and an Elite and a peach pie.
The harps were very intriguing, and I said that there was some room for minor improvements, but that overall, I felt his unique designs and custom build quality had the potential to be the finest harps in the world, based in part on a conversation I had with a friend, an Italian composer of modern pieces with an interest in chromatic harmonica, Andrea Antonello Nacci.
Andrea said that the sealed chambers for each 2 reed pair (actually created by channel cut in the covers themselves by CNC, and each 2 reed grouping on a single platelet held on by tiny screws making reed replacement, and tuning of blow reeds easy- blow reeds reside on the inside of the harp, so to tune them you just flip the position of the platelet) would have the effect of turning each chamber into a mini Oboe, and that in his opinion, it raised the instrument to the level of a professional orchestral instrument. As Andrea has multiple degrees in music and has been playing professionally and composing from the age of 15 (which I have not) I didn't really express an opinion to Andrea, but I was certainly going to listen closely to the harps.
Like all new inventions, Phil's harps and patented ideas have seen evolution over time to their current high quality state. I have a new Psardo Special 12 hole orchestra tuned harp, and an unusual 16 hole Psardo Special tuned in the key of Bb (I think they arrived a week ago) I actually play pieces on Psardo Special orchestra tuned 12 (key of C) and then Bb 16, and decide which is easier to play on that given piece.
The Special is an unusual and interesting instrument, which actually sells for LESS than half the cost of an Elite or Gold Bar, I think the current Special pricing is $850 for the 12, and $950 for the 16. I believe most Psardo Special 16's are made in Solo C tuning.
It is my opinion that the PSARDO SPECIAL is the highest evolved expression of Phil Sardo's genius with harmonica design, with what I consider a gorgeous malleable tone, totally airtight, and very light due to the aluminum mouthpiece and comb... all anodized (the mouthpiece and comb are anodized in Gold, the covers in Black which has the plus of showing no fingerprints.
The 12 and 16 Psardo Specials are my current daily players, and I did create I think 6 videos posted on my YouTube Channel MASTERS OF HARMONICA, on various characteristics of the Psardo Special 12, and am working now on a grouping of videos on the Psardo Special 16.
I am not paid for these videos, I don't work for harmonica companies, the videos and my writings reflect my opinions. I have various opinions over time, sometimes they change.
I haven't really compared the new Psardo SPECIAL chromatic harmonica to the Elite and Gold Bar harps. I should have the new Elite and Gold Bar here soon, but they have some innovations and I'm not sure of the date of arrival.
ANY suggestion that Phil and I are not friends, or that I am going to sue him, or that he is going to sue me are simply untrue.
Any suggestion that I don't like him or his harps is inaccurate in the extreme...I play them every day because they are the best instruments I have.
If you don't believe me, call him and ask him personally, his cell is right on his website under CONTACTS, it's the first number listed, not the number farther down for Cindy.
In my opinion, Phil Psardo deserves both congratulations and respect for seeing the harmonica in a new light, kind of like a modern-day Delorean.
In the day ahead, I will address some of the other comments I've read on Slidemeister.
Thank you again to Mr. Fedor for allowing me to provide additional input which may serve to clarify points published on Slidemeister.
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #2
Some members posted that Italian composer Andrea Antonello Nacci does not exist, or was hoodwinked into contacting me to work with him as an improvisational artist on his compositions.
He would like to talk to you to clarify...please reach out to him on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Andrea.Antonello.Nacci
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #3
Some members of Slidemeister have said that I am unqualified to record information on chromatic harmonica technique.
If you have a problem with some piece of specific technical advice I've offered, send it to me for consideration.
The web is not a buy in world, you create and post, and people view it or not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KT-K5hrhcA
I am free to post, you are free to post. If you do better, I would welcome it very much as we need more METHOD information out there.
RESPONSE TO SLIDEMEISTER COMMENTARY #4
A few of you have said I can't play the instrument.
Now I know people at the top and they don't talk that way; you'll never see a William Galison or Stevie Wonder or Joshua Bell (violin) say those words, they have too much respect for any musician doing their best.
Now in the music world here's how a comment like that is managed...you say someone can't play...you pick up your harp and make a recording on the same backtrack and post it on LOVE OF CHROMATIC HARMONICA, and SLIDEMEISTER TOO, and maybe you are better, and maybe you are not.
Here's my recording of Gershwin's Summertime…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzDz-RrO3Vg&t=19s
And the same backing track for you to use, under the baton of Alim Shakh in St. Petersburg, Russia…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmEkugzJVw4
I hope you do well and will enjoy listening.
David Kettlewell