tookatooka
191 posts
Apr 10, 2009
7:48 AM
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Just read something interesting and thought I'd throw it out for discussion.
A lot of blues harp players wear hats. I'm not sure if it's to do with creating the right impression or whether it's just tradition.
But, I just read on a tin whistlers forum that in order to hear youself better when playing with a band, wear a wide brimmed hat so that your own instruments sound is reflected back into your ears from the hat rim. Makes sense.
Just wondered whether that's the reason why so many of the old harpers wore hats and that may be the reason why the tradition has continued without really knowing why. You see a lot of hat wearers playing harp on YouTube but not necessarily wide brimmed fedoras.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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MrVerylongusername
234 posts
Apr 10, 2009
8:03 AM
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Personally I think it has more to do with Belushi and Aykroyd than acoustics.
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snakes
177 posts
Apr 10, 2009
12:03 PM
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I wear hats because I love them. It used to be baseball caps when I was into playing. I still wear baseball caps a bit, but once I turned 50 yrs. old I figured there were enough rings around the old tree trunk to by some fedoras. It is not a blues thing for me. I wish all men wore them like in the 30's, 40's, and 50's.
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oldwailer
677 posts
Apr 10, 2009
1:14 PM
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I think the hat thing has more to do with the fact that they look so damn cool! I would have a fedora if they weren't so expensive--and it's difficult to find one to fit my head. . .
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mickil
148 posts
Apr 10, 2009
1:40 PM
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At jams, I used to wear a hat simply because I thought it looked cool. I even had a nickname given to me: 'Mick The Hat'.
I think it must be an image thing.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
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superchucker77
153 posts
Apr 10, 2009
4:51 PM
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I wear hats because I really like hats. I have been wearing baseball caps since I was a very small boy, and I really like to wear fedora style hats whenever I go out to play or for a spacial occasion. It would be nice if most guys still wore hats. There are way to many bear heads out and about now adays. I hate to even leave the house without a hat on my head. I feel naked :(
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Brandon Bailey
Superchucker77's Youtube
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djm3801
81 posts
Apr 10, 2009
5:20 PM
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I am a baseball hat guy but a fellow who used to work for me gave me a black fedora I have kept for 12 years or so - sentimental value - and I toss that on when I want to make a bigger ass out of myself than I am. My sister gave me a baseball cap with the words "Harmonica man" on it and that gets attention. I have no hair so winter is hat time and summer is dew rag time. Winter is also Scrooge hat time - with a tassel even when I get cold. Would not do to play harp with that on. The bald head is an amazing radiator. Disspates body heat like crazy. Hats are cool and make a statement.
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2009 5:21 PM
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Patrick Barker
228 posts
Apr 10, 2009
5:24 PM
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Its a professional harp player thing with the fedora and sunglasses- tons of blues guys do it. I think it's a part of the blues tradition.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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Miles Dewar
304 posts
Apr 10, 2009
6:54 PM
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Baseball Caps for me......One Kind......Bears Hats. That's my Look. Bears Hats and Hoodies...(It Gets Cold Around Here).
Whenever you see me harpin' I'm ALWAYS wearing this one bears hat I have with the "C" logo. I named it my "Harp Journey Hat". The only thing besides Me that will be here for my whole journey....
I also have an old Stetson Fedora that I've had for a while. But that's my suit hat. And I've always hated sunglasses. So my look isn't traditional "Blues Guy". But It's a Chicago Look.
GO BEARS!!!
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---Go Bears!!! (Jay Cutler in Chicago baby!) Where's the Pack at now?---
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2009 7:06 PM
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Aussiesucker
246 posts
Apr 10, 2009
9:40 PM
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Like my harps I never leave home without one. I always wear a real hat ie an Aussie Akubra bush hat . In any country town no male is ever seen not wearing one.
Not sure about the improved hearing of the harp but it sure does keep the sun off the head and face.
Baseball caps are not my choice for headwear. Have heard of many young city folk wearing 'peanut caps' coming to grief on venturing into an outback pub. The minimum is they lose their cap which is usually nailed to the wall or ceiling plus they cop a fine for their inappropriate headwear and the money is donated to the Flying Doctor.
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bluesnut
66 posts
Apr 10, 2009
10:12 PM
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Fedoras and music just go together. Being the sharp dressed man is part of the fun. The hat/sunglasses combo also keeps the light out of your eyes on stage. I bought the Get Smart complete episode series on dvd. They wear alot of fedora hats in that show. What about the old time Chicago gangster angle? My son and I love the stupid jokes on Get Smart.
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djm3801
83 posts
Apr 11, 2009
3:37 PM
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Let's see, what kind of a hat does Adam or Chris or Howard Levy wear? Well, they ain't bald.
Dan
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jonsparrow
83 posts
Apr 11, 2009
5:01 PM
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huh? adam has a hat he used to wear.
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Miles Dewar
309 posts
Apr 11, 2009
5:17 PM
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The Busking hat.
"Joyous diciples of the blues harmonica"
The old straw one with the holes. You can see it on top of his shelf in his vids.
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---Go Bears!!! (Jay Cutler in Chicago baby!) Where's the Pack at now?---
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jonsparrow
85 posts
Apr 11, 2009
6:57 PM
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he wears it in a few too an tells the story behind it.
edit: my mistake didnt realize that was the name of the video.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2009 7:09 PM
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djm3801
84 posts
Apr 11, 2009
7:07 PM
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Forgot about that one! I am thinking Black fedora..
Thanks for the correction.
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genesis
17 posts
Apr 12, 2009
1:34 AM
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I have always said the only thing to a harp player more important than what mic to use is what hat to wear.
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Andrew
202 posts
Apr 15, 2009
1:17 AM
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If I ever climb up onto a stage I will not be wearing a hat, unless the acoustics thing is true! But it probably isn't - you just need a bigger amp. Bigger amp or hat. Tough choice!
Last Edited by on Apr 15, 2009 1:19 AM
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congaron
133 posts
Sep 15, 2009
10:56 AM
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I doubt the acoustic thing matters for amplified harp..it may in a coffee house or other acoustic setting..sure, why not. Hats are cool..my band simply insists I wear it. Now i have insisted the lead singer wear a straw fedora..very cool hat. I even gave it to him so he would feel guilty enough to wear it. Now he's hooked on hats too...that gig, the MC said "you guys look great!" as he introduced us. Sold.
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toddlgreene
4 posts
Sep 15, 2009
11:14 AM
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@ conga...my sombrero comment was in jest, although it may actually hold some weight in an all-acoustic setting. Plus, there's my fear of the fashion police!
If I MUST wear a hat, I'd probably lean more towards a Kangol 504(which, coincidentally is the area code for NOLA). In two weeks, I am playing in the local contest for the International Blues Challenge with a woman singer who requested we all wear black and wear 'Blues Brothers hats and glasses'-I quickly shouted CLICHE!
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bluedogg
2 posts
Sep 15, 2009
11:56 AM
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wow...i never wear a hat. maybe If I get one i'll sound better! ;-)
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congaron
137 posts
Sep 16, 2009
10:01 AM
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Last night I wore a Toby Keith hat to practice..the lead guitar player wanted to know if I was wearing that at the gig. I guess a hat is a hat as long as the playing is good. BTW, I will wear a pinstripe fedora at the blues gig. The Toby hat is for the local BBQ outdoor jam night.
I think I could hear myself better with the cowboy hat..in that particular room where I never wore a hat before..maybe there is something to it.
Last Edited by on Sep 16, 2009 10:03 AM
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toddlgreene
8 posts
Sep 16, 2009
10:22 AM
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...then a hat like this(see link) would be the acoustic equivalent to having your head in the cone of a speaker. These are cheapcheap at the local Vietnamese markets!
http://img1.photographersdirect.com/img/13559/wm/pd420369.jpg
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Leanground
80 posts
Sep 16, 2009
11:03 AM
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I've "inherited " my fathers love of fedora's and wingtips,spectator shoes,watches and keeping good care his things.
He's 90 and in great health and loves to see me play blues with my son.
He says style on stage is a huge asset
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Bluzdude46
172 posts
Sep 17, 2009
10:21 AM
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Ok seems alot of us that are bald, Wonder if I can get a grant from a college to do a study between the pressure used by the Diaphragm and the amount of lost hair folicals when at high decibal screamin guitars play at the same time. If I get the grant y'all will get funded as test cases. we can gather everyone up and do....."Research" If we're lucky the grant will pick up the beer tab
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tookatooka
500 posts
Sep 17, 2009
10:57 AM
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Baldilocks? Me too. Male pattern baldness but I shave it all off. Thank goodness the no hair look is cool nowadays. A baldie would have had no chance at looking cool in the sixties, seventies or eighties with the long back and sides and nothing on top. I could never have even considered the dreaded combover. I do wear hats but only beanies in the winter when it's cold.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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