hello all! its been a while. anyway, so im just starting to play harmonica and i was wondering how much it's used in sessions, or ITM in general, for that matter. and dont worry, im not gonna jump right in and start playing at the pub. i was just wondering, for the future, how much i could use it for the music that i so adore?
oh, and i dont know if i already asked you all this, but im looking at colleges and a city with a good traditional scene is a *must* (haha, what a great obsession that my college choice is based on it!). Now i know chicago (cuz thats where i live), and obviously boston, and NYC (though ive heard finding a sesh there is like finding that needle in the haystack). any others with good colleges in close proximity, maybe some that are surprising? thanks very much everyone!
Don't remember ever hearing a harmonica at a session - but I've had Brendan Power's 'New Irish Harmonica' playing in the car all weekend. Pretty inspiring stuff if you're thinking of blowing some trad. Not bad for a Kiwi, eh?
Several sessions between Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus Ohio very often have great mouth harp (harmonica) players sitting in. There is a growing resurgance of mouth harp in Irish Traditional Music in southwest and central Ohio.
The Riley School of Irish Music in Cincinnati offers harmonica lessons from an excellent teacher and musician (Dave Gilligan).
Sessions in the area are plentiful, strong and very welcoming.
As for colleges and universities, University of Cincinnati, Xavier, Northern Kentucky University to name a few.
There's a guy in Chicago who plays harmonica with Brendan Bulger (named Bill Knox? or is that someone else?). Down in Richmond VA there's Rick Epping. Here in the DC area we have Charlie MacVicar who's a piper but also a great harmonica player. As long as you play the tunes rather than blues-type chordal stuff (probably very hard to avoid), and try to emulate the box's ornamentation, the harmonica can be a great addition to the session sound.
I've heard and played sessions with Brendan Power a few times, usually by luck rather than design (last Thursday being a prime example). He lives in Kent but pops into London now and again. That guy really knows how to play tunes on the harmonica. Patrick's right; you seriously want to avoid the chordal "Bob Dylan" style unless you're playing with a singer. With a decent chromatic harmonica you can get pretty good traditional sounding ornamentation. I would suggest playing the melody very straight unless you're playing with bluesy-style musicians.
THis reminds me of a hilarious episode many years back. The Monday night session at Nanny O'Briens was going full tilt, the craic was nearing the triple digits, and all was right with the world. One of the regulars headed to the head, and much to everyone's amazement, one of the gently swaying punters slipped into the newly "vacant" seat. As we were in the midst of a set no one was able to say anything about this incredible breach in etiquette. Upping the ante, the man, who was obviously as inebriated as the proverbial skunk, whipped out his mouth harp and joined in. I have never before nor since heard anything like it. He played the thing with great enthusiasm, energy and volume, which sadly did nothing to mask the fact that what he was playing had nothing to do with: a)the tune, b)Irish music or c)any musical genre known to humankind. The others at the session continued to play, but only by sheer motor memory - our minds were paralized like so many deer caught in the headlights. Apparently, the noise penetrated to the far reaches of the pub, for not a moment too soon Brian Gaffney, our much-loved publican, came dashing in with a look of abject horror on his face. Quickly assessing the situation, he essentially dragged the poor souse out of the room by his collar, bought him a drink at the bar, and quietly explained to him the niceties of session behavior and perhaps common decency as well.
Later I heard that Brian performed a similar act of heroism on a misguided tamborinist.
MORAL: The harmonica can be a force for good or for unimaginable evil. YOU must decide which kind of harmonica player you will be.
Brendan Power has a book/CD combination to teach Irish tunes on the diatonic harmonica, and he also sells that as a package with two really nice (retuned to his specifications) Suzuki ProMasters.
My uncle plays the mouth organ (harmonica) and it is just incredible. There are uncanny similarities to the box, but it does have its own sound. I believe that he plays on the draw, which he says gives it a better sound, more like the box.
So from that exposure, I would say that you should listen to box players for good rhythmic influence. Otherwise?
I've also played with Brendan Power, and that is good fun too. He has a different style.
All of this to say, "go for it!"
For scenes, there are quite a few colleges in the St Paul/Minneapolis area, and there is good music up here. Let me know if you come up for a visit and need information on sessions and such.
In Chicago, look up james Conway, an excellent Irish-style harmonica player.
I disagree emphatically with those who say to avoid playing chordally. I agree - not like Bob Dylan or like a blues player, though.
And I agree that the melody must be primary. But the harmonica (look closely at the name) was designed to play a melody while accompanying it with chords, and does it very well in the hands of a good player.
To give an idea of chordal ways of playing ITM and similar styles, visit the Canadian traditional harmonica website and listen to how old-time French Canadians adapted the harmonica to fiddle and box tunes with excellent chordal rhythm:
bard, you should learn the whistle if you dont already play it (or some other trad instrument). not saying you cant play irish harmonica, that would be awesome in my opinion. but the tunes would be easier to learn on the whistle at first, and easier to find a teacher. and i wouldnt take out a harmonica at a session if you had never been there before. i would play whistle for a while at least and let everyone see you're not just joking around, and if you can play that harp well then take it out and join in.
in america, most people will appreciate a well played instrument thats not trad. all you gotta make sure to do is not try to out play anyone and think you're special. play in the sound, and to your ability and you'll be well received.
if you know all this, then ignore it and happy harping.
The standard 10 hole Richter tuned harmonica is perfectly suited to traditional tunes as a solo instrument or in session playing. I have played this way for 40 years in the UK and Australia. There are missing notes in the low octave but there are several solutions to this; play the low G or low D in the middle and top octaves. Or retune one or more reeds. There is lots on the web on this.
harmonica, much?
harmonica, much?
hello all! its been a while. anyway, so im just starting to play harmonica and i was wondering how much it's used in sessions, or ITM in general, for that matter. and dont worry, im not gonna jump right in and start playing at the pub. i was just wondering, for the future, how much i could use it for the music that i so adore?
oh, and i dont know if i already asked you all this, but im looking at colleges and a city with a good traditional scene is a *must* (haha, what a great obsession that my college choice is based on it!). Now i know chicago (cuz thats where i live), and obviously boston, and NYC (though ive heard finding a sesh there is like finding that needle in the haystack). any others with good colleges in close proximity, maybe some that are surprising? thanks very much everyone!
# Posted on September 27th 2004 by Bard
Re: harmonica, much?
university milwaukee has year round classes. i dont think theyre credit classes, of course, but its through the university.
# Posted on September 27th 2004 by daiv
Re: harmonica, much?
Don't remember ever hearing a harmonica at a session - but I've had Brendan Power's 'New Irish Harmonica' playing in the car all weekend. Pretty inspiring stuff if you're thinking of blowing some trad. Not bad for a Kiwi, eh?
# Posted on September 27th 2004 by bc_box_player
Re: harmonica, much?
Several sessions between Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus Ohio very often have great mouth harp (harmonica) players sitting in. There is a growing resurgance of mouth harp in Irish Traditional Music in southwest and central Ohio.
The Riley School of Irish Music in Cincinnati offers harmonica lessons from an excellent teacher and musician (Dave Gilligan).
Sessions in the area are plentiful, strong and very welcoming.
As for colleges and universities, University of Cincinnati, Xavier, Northern Kentucky University to name a few.
# Posted on September 27th 2004 by RogueFiddler
Re: harmonica, much?
There's a guy in Chicago who plays harmonica with Brendan Bulger (named Bill Knox? or is that someone else?). Down in Richmond VA there's Rick Epping. Here in the DC area we have Charlie MacVicar who's a piper but also a great harmonica player. As long as you play the tunes rather than blues-type chordal stuff (probably very hard to avoid), and try to emulate the box's ornamentation, the harmonica can be a great addition to the session sound.
# Posted on September 27th 2004 by patrick cavanagh
Re: harmonica, much?
I've heard and played sessions with Brendan Power a few times, usually by luck rather than design (last Thursday being a prime example). He lives in Kent but pops into London now and again. That guy really knows how to play tunes on the harmonica. Patrick's right; you seriously want to avoid the chordal "Bob Dylan" style unless you're playing with a singer. With a decent chromatic harmonica you can get pretty good traditional sounding ornamentation. I would suggest playing the melody very straight unless you're playing with bluesy-style musicians.
# Posted on September 27th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: harmonica, much?
THis reminds me of a hilarious episode many years back. The Monday night session at Nanny O'Briens was going full tilt, the craic was nearing the triple digits, and all was right with the world. One of the regulars headed to the head, and much to everyone's amazement, one of the gently swaying punters slipped into the newly "vacant" seat. As we were in the midst of a set no one was able to say anything about this incredible breach in etiquette. Upping the ante, the man, who was obviously as inebriated as the proverbial skunk, whipped out his mouth harp and joined in. I have never before nor since heard anything like it. He played the thing with great enthusiasm, energy and volume, which sadly did nothing to mask the fact that what he was playing had nothing to do with: a)the tune, b)Irish music or c)any musical genre known to humankind. The others at the session continued to play, but only by sheer motor memory - our minds were paralized like so many deer caught in the headlights. Apparently, the noise penetrated to the far reaches of the pub, for not a moment too soon Brian Gaffney, our much-loved publican, came dashing in with a look of abject horror on his face. Quickly assessing the situation, he essentially dragged the poor souse out of the room by his collar, bought him a drink at the bar, and quietly explained to him the niceties of session behavior and perhaps common decency as well.
Later I heard that Brian performed a similar act of heroism on a misguided tamborinist.
MORAL: The harmonica can be a force for good or for unimaginable evil. YOU must decide which kind of harmonica player you will be.
# Posted on September 28th 2004 by patrick cavanagh
Re: harmonica, much?
Brendan Power has a book/CD combination to teach Irish tunes on the diatonic harmonica, and he also sells that as a package with two really nice (retuned to his specifications) Suzuki ProMasters.
# Posted on September 28th 2004 by Dave Weinstein
Re: harmonica, much?
My uncle plays the mouth organ (harmonica) and it is just incredible. There are uncanny similarities to the box, but it does have its own sound. I believe that he plays on the draw, which he says gives it a better sound, more like the box.
So from that exposure, I would say that you should listen to box players for good rhythmic influence. Otherwise?
I've also played with Brendan Power, and that is good fun too. He has a different style.
All of this to say, "go for it!"
For scenes, there are quite a few colleges in the St Paul/Minneapolis area, and there is good music up here. Let me know if you come up for a visit and need information on sessions and such.
# Posted on September 28th 2004 by Jode
Re: harmonica, much?
In Chicago, look up james Conway, an excellent Irish-style harmonica player.
I disagree emphatically with those who say to avoid playing chordally. I agree - not like Bob Dylan or like a blues player, though.
And I agree that the melody must be primary. But the harmonica (look closely at the name) was designed to play a melody while accompanying it with chords, and does it very well in the hands of a good player.
To give an idea of chordal ways of playing ITM and similar styles, visit the Canadian traditional harmonica website and listen to how old-time French Canadians adapted the harmonica to fiddle and box tunes with excellent chordal rhythm:
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/harmonicanuck/
Not all the tunes will be familiar, but I think the point will be evident.
Winslow Yerxa
# Posted on September 28th 2004 by Winslow Yerxa
Re: harmonica, much?
haha, ive taken lessons from jim. yes, hes a wonderful harmonica player.
# Posted on September 29th 2004 by Bard
Re: harmonica, much?
bard, you should learn the whistle if you dont already play it (or some other trad instrument). not saying you cant play irish harmonica, that would be awesome in my opinion. but the tunes would be easier to learn on the whistle at first, and easier to find a teacher. and i wouldnt take out a harmonica at a session if you had never been there before. i would play whistle for a while at least and let everyone see you're not just joking around, and if you can play that harp well then take it out and join in.
in america, most people will appreciate a well played instrument thats not trad. all you gotta make sure to do is not try to out play anyone and think you're special. play in the sound, and to your ability and you'll be well received.
if you know all this, then ignore it and happy harping.
# Posted on October 2nd 2004 by daiv
Re: harmonica, much?
The standard 10 hole Richter tuned harmonica is perfectly suited to traditional tunes as a solo instrument or in session playing. I have played this way for 40 years in the UK and Australia. There are missing notes in the low octave but there are several solutions to this; play the low G or low D in the middle and top octaves. Or retune one or more reeds. There is lots on the web on this.
# Posted on February 12th 2006 by alastair wilson