Archive for August, 2009
Harping The Blues!
“Harping the Blues” …. you may have never associated that term with a harmonica. But a harmonica can be referred to as a blues harp. Folks who can play blues music on a harmonica are a fascinating bunch. The aim of this blog-site is to go on a little musical journey of discovery and see what can be learned about the blues harp harmonica genre. It will seek out the great players in history and the modern masters as well. Maybe we can find some free harmonica lessons for beginners as well as advanced players and where to buy a decent harmonica !
There’s much more to playing than just simply putting the harmonica up to your mouth and move it about as you blow. It is a serious musical piece. It is a real instrument – which you have to learn to play with lots of practice and even some lessons.
There are some great teachers on the web and tons of tutorial videos on YouTube. You can find videos and websites featuring these amazing artists who stop concert-goers dead in their tracks when they play a screaming blues harp solo.
Let’s search the web for some really cool blues harp stuff – videos, blogs, harmonica lessons and the lot. So, if you want to learn more too – come on the journey. If nothing else you will surely find some great blues harp music for your iPod. Nothing ventured – nothing gained!
Where are the best blues bars in Chicago?
I’m really into playing blues harp and want to go to Chi-town to check it out. Where do they take blues music seriously? Guitar or harp playing is what I’m looking for- safe areas are preferred.
B.L.U.E.S. 2519 N. Halsted http://www.chicagobluesbar.com Kingston Mines 2548 N. Halsted ( !/2 block away from B.L.U.E.S. – On Sundays if you pay the cover at one you’ll get admission into the other. Also, if you’re interested the Biograph Theatre, where John Dillinger was shot, is only about a block away) http://www.kingstonmines.com Blue Chicago 736 N. Clark Street Blue Chicago on Clark 536 N. Clark Street http://www.bluechicago.com Buddy Guy’s Legends 754 S. Wabash http://www.buddyguys.com Rosas (Some people find the area around Rosas to be a bit iffy) 3420 W. Armitage http://www.rosaslounge.com June 12,13, 14 the Chicago BluesFest will be taking place in Grant Park. Admission is free. Hope this helps-email me if you have any questions
History of the Hohner Blues Harp
As I learn more and more about the blues harp harmonica and blues music and some of the biggest and best players, the name Hohner, keeps popping up in ads and around the web. So, I thought I’d do a little research and learn some more about this company and its history and its mark on the harmonica industry. An old radio ad about the Hohner blues harp is what caught my eye and made me curious. It’s very entertaining – you can watch it above. It says 1857 on the lead ad and I thought that was amazing. Hohner has been around for over 150 years now. I respect and appreciate all things vintage and antique. As the family genealogist I always have a need to delve deeper and find out more. Looking back into history gives us glimpse into the past and what life was like back then.
My quest for information takes us back to Germany (Thuringer) where the very first harmonica was created in 1821. We all know how much teenagers love music so it is no surprise to me to learn that a 16 year old is the inventor of this marvelous mouthpiece. Christian Friedrich (Ludwig) Buschmann was a clockmaker. In those days clockmakers were highly skilled craftsmen in what was considered the most leading edge, technically advanced trade of the period. Historically, the best clockmakers often also built scientific instruments, as for a long time they were the only craftsmen around trained in designing precision mechanical apparatus. Thus, Christian, who was a tinkerer by trade (or nature) simply had an idea and created the first ever harmonica.
Back in Christian’s day in the 18th & 19th centuries, churches that had no organ would use a simple pitch pipe to give the congregation the opening note of a hymn. Those original pitch pipes are quite rare nowadays. Today we have various pitch tools, often called acoustic pipes (available for all instruments), that offer many tones and some are even electronic and are often used as an alternative to the tuning fork. You can even carry one on your keychain. Christian decided to link together a bunch of these old pitch pipes in various tones of course. What he had was a 4 in (10 cm) mouth organ that featured 21 blow notes arranged chromatically. He was very excited about his creation and named it the “mundaeoline”, which is German for mouth harp. He had the first patent but as word spread around Europe and its popularity began to grow, there were many imitators and the instrument came to be known by many different names, such as mundharmonika, mundaeoline, psallmelodikon and symphonium.
Several decades later in 1857, another young clockmaker named Matthias Hohner (24), happened to buy one of these mouth organs and decided to start a new business. From clockmaker to harmonica maker, he made 650 harmonicas during his first run, with the help of his family and one paid employee, while working from his own kitchen. The popularity of the tiny instrument began to rise after Hohner shipped some of his harmonicas over to the United States to some relatives who had immigrated. The demand from North America increased as the harmonica became a favorite of the Western cowboy because of its affordability and portability. It was also favored by many African-American musicians as an alternative to a more expensive horn or piano. The instrument became known as a blues harp harmonica because of the way it was used to bend notes when playing the blues music style. We already know what a legacy was left by these early blues harmonica players (but that’s another blog post!)
Back in 1893, after his death, Mathias Hohner’s sons decided to open up the company’s creative talents to developing and marketing the accordion, another reed instrument. It proved to be another successful turn for the company. They became the top accordion makers. The Hohner Company has a rich, colorful history and a reputation for excellence. From the humble beginnings of Matthias Hohner’s harmonica company in 1857, Hohner has created more than 1500 different models to date. Used in jazz, blues, rock, country and folk music, Harmonica is one of the most diverse (and deceptively difficult) instruments around. The Hohner Company is still going strong today and now supplies the world with its top quality instruments.
Teach Yourself to Play Harmonica (Book & Hohner Harmonica)
How to Play the Harmonica : Playing the Train on Harmonica
Play the harmonica like a Blues Brother; learn a simple harmonica exercise known as “the train” in this free video harmonica lesson. Expert: Jim Luke Bio: Jim Luke has been a bandleader, harmonica player and singer for over 30 years.
Duration : 0:2:6
18 commentsWhich Hohner Harmonica should I buy?
Q:
A Marine Band,Marine Band Special 20 or the Hohner Blues Harp harmonica?
A:
All the Hohner hand mades sound somewhat alike. The reeds are the same on the Marine Band, the Special 20, and the Golden Melody. If you are slick and can tune and repair a blues harp harmonica without problems then the Marine Band Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Key of G
The Special 20 and Golden Melody are put together with self tapping metal screws and bolts + nuts. The Special 20 and the Golden Melody have plastic combs, which are durable, safe, and easy to deal with. Special 20s are probably the best harps on the market for blowing chords. Hohner Special 20 Harmonica, Key of C
If you are a beginner, the quick and stupid answer is to get a Special 20, or a Lee Oskar. The vast majority of professionals give the same advice. After you have developed a well defined playing style, other brands and models will come into the picture. Write me if you are an experienced player with a specific idea of what you want and I will tell you which one you will do best with.
If you want to research harmonicas go to Coast2Coastmusic.com and read the reviews and customer ratings. They are very customer oriented. The other rational place to purchase your harmonicas is harpdepot.com. Expect to spend about 10 cents an hour to play the harmonica, if you don’t repair and tune them yourself. Prepare yourself for a lot of answers contesting which is better, wood or plastic. Aside from the heat distribution qualities and the beauty of wood, there is no difference in sound. The shape inside the harmonica, etc, controls the sound. The Special 20 and the Marine Band do sound slightly different for these reasons. The Blues Harp harmonica is a MS for Modular System Harmonica. They come with replacement reeds and plates together so an amateur can repair them.
Hohner sells two kinds of Harmonica. 1. The three hand mades described above. 2. MS models including the wood combed Blues Harp Harmonica. Quick and stupid answer is that all professionals agree that the hand mades have superior reeds compared to the MS models. Of course, a professional can probably tune and repair a harmonica without the benefit of replacement parts. The Lee Oskars also have replacement parts, and like the Golden Melody, they are great for blowing single notes. They need to be tuned properly yourself if you are going to play chords. Lee Oskars are freakishly durable even without the replacement parts, which is why professionals that can tune them themselves love them so much Lee Oskar Natural Minor Harmonica (C MINOR)
Like all Harmonicas made in the orient [Lee Oskar and Suzuki are made in Japan, Cheap Chinese are a no go], I can’t overdraw the thin reeds without rolling my tongue into a tube. I can do flat tongue overdraws on western harps like Hohner [hand mades], Seydels, and Herings. Hohners and Seydels are made in Germany. Seydels have no condensation problems and can be gapped very tight to make bends and overblow/draws absolutely awesome. Their chords are right up there with the Special 20. Seydels are the highest quality harps in the world. 1847.com Herings are made in Brazil and sound great at a low price. But they are constructed and serviced by a third world work force. If you don’t mind getting an oddball bad harp, Herings are a go. I recommend the 1923 Model. It is absolutely beautiful to look at, and also plays wonderful chords. Those are the six places in the world where harmonicas are produced.
3 commentsCan anyone tell me the harmonica notes to Billy Joel’s Piano Man or where I can find them online for free?
Pianoman 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4 Its nine o-clock on a Saturday 4 4 4 4 4 4 -4 -4 the regular crowd shuffles in 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4 there’s an old man sitting next to me 3 3 3 -5 -5 -5 5 4 4 making love to his tonic and gin 9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 he says son can you play me a memory 7 7 7 7 7 -8 -8 -8 im not really sure how it goes 8 -9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 8 8 but its sad and its sweet and I knew it complete 7 7 7 8 -9 8 7 7 when I wore a younger mans clothes -6 -6 -6 -7 7 -7-7 da – da – da – de – de – d-a -6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6 da – da – de – de – da – da – da 9 9 9 9 sing us a song -9 8 -9 8 7 you’re the piano man -6 7 7 7 -8 -8 sing us a song tonight 8 8 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 well were all in the mood for a melody 7 -6 7 7 -9 8 7 7 and you’ve got us feeling alright. 6 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4 Now john at the bar is a friend of mine 4 4 4 4 4 -4 -4 He gets me my drinks for free 6 6 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 5 5 And he’s quick with a joke or to light up your smoke 3 3 3 -5 -5 -5 5 4 4 But there’s someplace that he’d rather be 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 He says, bill, I believe this is killing me 7 7 7 7 7 -8 -8 -8 As the smile ran away from his face 8 -9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 Well Im sure that I could be a movie star 7 7 7 8 -9 8 7 7 If I could get out of this place -6 -6 -6 -7 7 -7-7 da – da – da – de – de – d-a -6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6 da – da – de – de – da – da – da 6 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4 Now Paul is a real estate novelist 4 4 4 4 4 4 -4 -4 Who never had time for a wife 6 6 6 6 6 6-5 5 -5 5 5 5 5 And he’s talkin with davy whose still in the navy 3 3 3 -5 -5 5 4 And probably will be for life 9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 And the waitress is practicing politics 7 7 7 7 7 -8 -8 -8 As the businessmen slowly get stoned 8 -9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness 7 7 7 8 -9 8 7 7 7 But its better than drinkin alone 9 9 9 9 sing us a song -9 8 -9 8 7 you’re the piano man -6 7 7 7 -8 -8 sing us a song tonight 8 8 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 well were all in the mood for a melody 7 -6 7 7 -9 8 7 7 and you’ve got us feeling alright. 6 6 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4 Its a pretty good crowd for a Saturday 4 4 4 4 4 4 -4 -4 And the manager gives me a smile 6 6 6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 5 5 cause he knows that its me they’ve been comin to see 3 3 3 -5 -5 -5 5 4 4 To forget about life for a while 9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 And the piano, it sounds like a carnival 7 7 7 7 7 -8 -8 -8 And the microphone smells like a beer 8 -9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 8 8 And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar 7 7 7 8 -9 8 7 7 And say, man, what are you doin here? -6 -6 -6 -7 7 -7-7 da – da – da – de – de – d-a -6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6 da – da – de – de – da – da – da 9 9 9 9 sing us a song -9 8 -9 8 7 you’re the piano man -6 7 7 7 -8 -8 sing us a song tonight 8 8 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7 well were all in the mood for a melody 7 -6 7 7 -9 8 7 7 and you’ve got us feeling alright.
Hohner Special 20 Harmonica, Key of C
Put Your Blues Harp Harmonica in Tequila ?
Let’s go back to the importance of breaking in your brand new harmonica. I’ve been reading about different methods and there seems to be some disagreement among the blues harp lovers out there about which technique is best or even necessary. Some say it will extend the life of your harp and others say it does not even matter.
Back in the ‘old days’ they used to soak a new harmonica that had wooden combs in beer or whiskey or a vinegar solution as it was believed that soaking it would help to keep the wooden combs from getting warped and also make the harmonica airtight for a better play. Some harmonicas are too ‘loose’ and leak air. Many say that soaking causes more damage than good and the wood will warp anyway and it only causes corrosion on the reed plates. So this method is not generally recommended nowadays by either players or manufacturers.
Another breaking in method I’ve read about (and chuckled about) is to just hold your new harp out the window while you drive down the highway and let the wind of nature blow upon and through it. Or this one: some diatonic players use a 12 volt car vacuum to work the reeds which is claimed to avoid premature stress cracks. Could work – who really knows?
Someone else said to simply play the blues harp gently (without bending notes) for about the first ten hours you put on it and then gradually increase the power you use to play. It seems that the more it is played the better response you can get from the reeds. If it is not played gently you can ‘blow your eyeballs out’ because the new reeds are so stiff. (Again chuckling while envisioning the popped out eyeballs of a blues harp harmonica player!)
To break it in or not to break it in? That is the question. I think it’s a personal choice and for us beginners we will find our own way and style as we go. It seems logical that we’d be taking it slow anyway as we are beginners right? I don’t think a first time blues harp student is going to be popping eyeballs!
Anyway here is a free Video Series I found online with some more awesome harmonica lessons from another teacher on the internet named Jim Luke . He offers 12 easy to follow lessons and all are rated 5 Stars! Check out his video tutorials on how to play the blues harp harmonica and what he recommends on breaking in your blues harp. Tequila? That’s in video number twelve!
http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_2911_play-harmonica.html
Please leave a comment or tip on whether you think a blues harp harmonica needs to have a breaking in period or not.
For the more serious player: Hohner Bob Dylan Signature Series C Marine Band Harmonica
JACKPOT! FREE Blues Harp Harmonica Lessons Online
Hey there blues harp harmonica wannabees! In my search for harmonica information and lessons I think I’ve hit the jackpot on YouTube. Adam Gussow of the Harlem blues duo “Satan and Adam” has a series of video lessons that are totally FREE!!! Adam says in his video that he has over 165 FREE videos online at this point. Wow that is really amazing. After watching a couple of them I am convinced that he is an authority on the blues harp harmonica and I am going to recommend that all you beginners head over to his site to take advantage of his excellent instructional videos. I don’t know him and never even heard of him prior to today but my search has led me to him. So I want to lead you to him as well. With this teacher I think you will be harping the blues in no time. After you see this video go to YouTube at this link and subscribe to his channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gEuED05biI Check it out!
If you are still looking for a great blues harp harmonica to learn with, here is a link:
Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Key of G
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Learn to Play Blues Harp Harmonica
Ok, let’s see what I have learned. Well, in the past few days I’ve learned that I don’t know much about harping the blues! There are many wonderful talented artists to learn about and listen to. The blues harp harmonica has it’s own lingo associated with it. Terms such as tremolo, chromatic, embouchure, cross-harp, tongue-blocking, diatonic, zombie-lip and such, are terms we will definitely have to learn about as we take this musical journey.
The best way to learn is to practice while listening to a play-along DVD or CD created just for that purpose. After you get accustomed to the sounds and feel of the harp you should progress to playing with other musicians. If you have a guitar-playing friend or a band you could play along with them as you learn and improve you technique. The key (no pun intended) is that hearing other music while you play or practice helps you learn about melody and aids you in developing and training your ear. As you practice you will also be breaking in the reeds inside the harp by training and tempering them.
A harmonica becomes a blues harp harmonica by the way you play it not by how it is made or manufactured. Blues is a specific style of music with a certain sound and to achieve that bluesy sound the player has to do something called bending the notes. It is a certain technique of combining notes and bending the reeds that produces new notes that makes the (wah-wah) blues sound so unique.
Harmonicas also come in many different keys: the shorter the reed, the higher the pitch of the harmonica will be. As a beginner it is important to know that it is harder to bend a note with a shorter reed. So, perhaps starting out with at least a mid-range harmonica such as the key of C, or a lower pitch harmonica in key of A (or an even lower one in the key of G) is better for practicing how to bend those blues notes. Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica – Key of G
I’ve seen many, many videos on the internet that were created by harmonica players who want to teach us beginners how to play the harmonica. Watching some of these tutorial videos is another great way to practice. My next blog-post will have information about FREE online harmonica lessons and which blues harp harmonica is best suited for beginners. Stay tuned ! Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica, Key of G, with Bonus Book & CD
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