MP
43 posts
Mar 06, 2010
11:20 AM
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to paraphrase magic dick,'the beauty of the diatonic harmonica lies in it's wonderful chords.' he may have mentioned a particular chord, i can't remember, but there are many cool, beautiful aspects to it. when i heard butterfields first album i was thunderstruck. i read the liner notes(remember them) and it listed his influnces and one name stuck out. little walter. i went out and bought little walter's boss blues harmonica(a double album) and my mind was blown even futher. i had to play harp and i had to play blues so i went out and bought a hohner blues harp. i'm rambling on here. anyway...what are your favorite cool things about the harp and what can you think of that gives the harp an advantage over other instruments.
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bluemoose
135 posts
Mar 06, 2010
11:23 AM
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It's the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to master all in one little 4 inch package.
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The7thDave
59 posts
Mar 06, 2010
4:25 PM
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It's compact and simple enough to carry around in your pocket.
It's the only wind instrument (AFAIK) that you play with your entire breath, inhaling as well as exhaling.
It's the only wind instrument (other than kazoo, AFAIK) that you can safely play while driving.
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nacoran
1353 posts
Mar 06, 2010
4:44 PM
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The7thDave- No!!! I keep hearing people say they play while they drive! It distracts you. It's not the hands it's the brain you need when you are driving. All the studies are coming in saying that hands free cellphones are just as dangerous as regular cellphones.
The problems with distractions is that the part of our brain that monitors things like whether we are distracted is that the first thing that we don't notice when we are distracted is that we are distracted.
And, just to lighten the mood in an entirely inappropriate way after that rant,
Bluemoose, I have been fighting this since I first saw your post earlier today, but I can't resist any longer.
"It's the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to master all in one little 4 inch package."
That's what she said.
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Nate
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The7thDave
60 posts
Mar 06, 2010
5:16 PM
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Nate--at the risk of hijacking the thread, here's how I look at it:
- Driving is not a homogeneous deal. There are times while driving that require less attention than others, and those times are fairly easy to identify. Making turns, merging, changing lanes, etc. require considerably more attention that driving in one lane on a straight road in light (or no) traffic.
- Playing harp is a one-way activity. Unlike a conversation (phone or live) you can unilaterally terminate the activity in an instant.
- I find driving with another person in the passenger seat to be much more distracting than playing scales or practicing OBs. To me, it's about the same level of distraction as listening to GPS directions or something interesting on the radio.
--Dave
Last Edited by on Mar 06, 2010 5:17 PM
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nacoran
1355 posts
Mar 06, 2010
5:57 PM
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I understand what you are saying, but I've been in the car with people while they were distracted, and they insisted they weren't, but I saw them crossing yellow lines, stopping late, tailgating, all that stuff. The studies show that a second person in the car at least helps you keep an eye on things (although I guess they'd have to be at least a certain age) and I'd imagine GPS, while distracting, probably offsets the driver who can't find where he's going syndrome.
I could cite studies about how people often under assess the risks of everyday activities, how nearly ten times more Americans die each year in car accidents than in the entire Iraq war, but it probably won't change your mind.
So, anyway, back to the topic at hand... MP, I love that I can take my harp with me without dragging a big old case with me. I played the baritone tuba when I was a kid and the school didn't have enough instruments to let me have one to take home. That was a pain on the bus.
I love that you can play chords. It's good for my asthma, it doesn't bother my tendinitis problems I had when I tried piano and guitar. I love the picture of old art deco harmonicas. I love the low sweet chords of a low tuned harp.
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Nate
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kudzurunner
1198 posts
Mar 06, 2010
5:57 PM
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It's just about the only instrument that you can play while walking down the street and not be thought truly weird. (Guitar, sax, violin, flute: not on THIS sidewalk, buddy!)
If you keep one in the glove compartment or on the dashboard, you'll never mind being stopped dead in traffic. It's a perfect practice space. I agree with Narcoran that you've got to be careful when you're moving. I use cruise control and when I'm on big empty highway--well, yes, I do play.
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gene
402 posts
Mar 06, 2010
6:21 PM
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Driving with kids in the car should be banned.
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waltertore
235 posts
Mar 06, 2010
8:55 PM
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It is the cheapest professional quality instrument you can buy. The problem is you have to keep replacing them. I have spent a small fortune and all I have to show for it is a pile of marine bands :-) Walter
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2,000 of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
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Gwood420
97 posts
Mar 06, 2010
9:17 PM
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enough of the against playing while driving talk.. when you find me the fist person in an accident that says "well, i was playing the harp" then you will have an argument... till then... or till you can get everyone else to not drink, eat, talk, text, fu!king(i've done it), and playin with their radio, among other things.. just give it up...
but your right about the beauty of the harp.. it is is amazing...
Last Edited by on Mar 06, 2010 10:04 PM
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shanester
134 posts
Mar 06, 2010
10:15 PM
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I drive and play harmonica, can't help it, if I wasn't I'd be listening to my beloved KUT radio or mp3 player with as much attention. I do think tailgating and the like are practices that set you up for trouble regarding reaction time. I tend to lay back like lowrider much to my wife's chagrin and it's just automatic for me. Me no wannee trouble from the cops or to go flying through the windshield.
I get there are no excuses but that to me is one beautiful think about the harmonica. I play it when I ride my bicycle or pedicab, too.
I get a lot of practice time in then but my greatest experience was driving home from the Magnolia Cafe on South Congress. I had my window down, pignose strapped to the passenger seat and was one handing the mike and jamming and creeping along south.
I looked to the left and these 2 cute young ladies were driving alongside me watching, when I saw them they started waving and clapping, it made my night, if not the year!
Anyhow, I've been playing acoustic in the truck lately. Safer, more technique, and less hand cramps from one handing.
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http://www.youtube.com/1shanester
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shanester
136 posts
Mar 06, 2010
10:41 PM
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That brings me to the point that to me, the diatonic harmonica has so much character and capacity for expression in such a deceptively simple and small package, and the player's physical interface with the instrument has almost everything to do with the tone produced.
It's history is relatively short and yet so rich, so full of blood, sweat and tears, and that is beautiful to me.
I dropped the guitar as my primary axe after years of playing to pursue the harmonica a little over a year ago, and it's like pulling Excalibur from the stone! I'm more committed to music than I've ever been before.
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http://www.youtube.com/1shanester
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Aussiesucker
570 posts
Mar 06, 2010
11:08 PM
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1) Its small compact & fits in the pocket so it is always with you.
2) It sounds great and in fact if you desire it can even mimic other instruments.
3) It is easy to play but very difficult to master.
4) Being able to become a proficient player is no easier than with other instruments ie it may be even more difficult with the exception that its size presents you with more opportunities ie time & places to practice as it is always with you.
5) It is inexpensive.
6) It is very good for your health. Helps breathing & is even a great aid for asthma sufferers or anyone with lung disease.
7) It has very few musical boundaries ie its equally at home as a solo instrument or as a back up in a group. It can sing classics, pop, country, jazz, folk,traditional, religious, Irish, bluegrass, rock & of course excells with the blues.
8) Its at home on the porch, round the campfire, on a stage, in the streets , in a church, in your woodshed or in a recording studio.
9) It's 100% habit forming & highly addictive but found to be completely safe.
10) And the minimum number you will eventually need will be more than 10. They come in a variety of flavours all with their own beautiful sound.
Its 10 out of 10!
Last Edited by on Mar 06, 2010 11:10 PM
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Praskovir
3 posts
Mar 07, 2010
1:38 AM
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For me diatonic harmonica sounds more natural than other instruments because of its little imperfections. No matter how good you play your bends they are always a bit messy as opposed to „normal“ notes and that is actually the thing that makes the difference. It sounds amazing.
With other instruments you may want to attain perfection that is out of this world (and yet you never do). With harmonica on the other hand you have no choice but to stay on earth and feel good about it.
Last Edited by on Mar 07, 2010 1:39 AM
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Jaybird
155 posts
Mar 07, 2010
4:31 AM
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Last Edited by on Mar 07, 2010 4:32 AM
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PaulM
6 posts
Mar 07, 2010
4:35 AM
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Versatility. I play in a band that enjoys blues, country and rock. I can work the harmonica into most of what we play, which keeps things interesting.
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Tryharp
304 posts
Mar 07, 2010
4:47 AM
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Jaybird...HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!1
Nice one!
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Chinaski
60 posts
Mar 07, 2010
6:38 AM
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The fact that the form of playing broadly termed 'blues harp' was wrenched from an instrument that was not originally intended to be played that way or make that sound - that is truly beautiful to me.
I don't think that's really true of any other instrument.
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blogward
100 posts
Mar 07, 2010
10:38 AM
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RE Driving and playing the harp: that's what racks are for.
Like any instrument, in the wrong hands(lips?) a harp is an abomination unto mankind: in the right hands it gives you goosebumps.
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MP
44 posts
Mar 07, 2010
11:29 AM
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the funny thing about this forum is you never know where things are gonna go. the car is a great place to practice(especially overblows if you don't have 'em down ala myself) without bugging people.(see adam's videos) does anyone remember dick's exact quote? WALTER. isn't there someone who could resusitate your marine bands where you live?
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GermanHarpist
1233 posts
Mar 07, 2010
11:32 AM
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Very true, Chianski. The amazing develpment in such a short time... I can't think of any other instrument that could match the harp in that regard either.
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germanharpist on YT. =;-) - Resonance is KEY!
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Aussiesucker
571 posts
Mar 07, 2010
12:42 PM
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What amazes me, from someone not well coordinated, that I am able to start playing without looking at the harp ie I land on the correct hole first try. I could do this 99% of the time even if blindfolded and starting with the harp behind my back.
But this same person struggles to hit a nail without the hammer landing on his fingers and I can see what I am doing.
Most other instruments, unless one were blind, affords the player the ability to sight what they are doing.
Last Edited by on Mar 07, 2010 12:43 PM
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congaron
638 posts
Mar 07, 2010
5:10 PM
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I can arrive early and practice in the car. All I have to do is make sure i leave early for everything i go to.
I can also play at work while my machine runs. it motivates me to get my setups done and get the thing running so i can play. A good setup make smy machine run longer without intervention, so it motivates me to do quality work as well.
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Kyzer Sosa
170 posts
Mar 07, 2010
6:48 PM
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I deliver pizzas part time, and on many occasions, find it acceptable to play a bit in the car. Ive gotten good at playing w one hand. I do it so often, that i have a backing track cd for the car now...
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Kyzer's Travels
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MP
45 posts
Mar 07, 2010
7:02 PM
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i think that the harp is the instrument closest to the human voice in sheer expressiveness. it can also mimic other instruments very well. i find the high blow bends on say.. a Bb harp, are like the high notes on a T-sax. a tenor is tuned to Bb. i wrote one number where the harp sounds like a concertina because of the split octaves.
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OzarkRich
142 posts
Mar 07, 2010
7:08 PM
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Harping while driving may not be safe but at least it makes me a safer driver by decreasing my road rage. It's hard to get mad at the other driver that doesn't go when the light turns green, cuts me off then turns in front of me, doesn't know how to do a four way stop etc, when I'm distracted by playing harp.
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Ozark Rich
YouTube: OzarkRich
Facebook: php?ref=profile&id=100000279894342
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Nastyolddog
375 posts
Mar 07, 2010
7:59 PM
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The biggest advantage it has for me over other instruments is EXERCISE thats right exercise.
i got me some health Problems
Chronic Obstrutive Airways Disease
Sleep Apneoa
Asthma,
and a few others related to the above conditions,
it helps keep my airways healthy,
in a sense im Exercising just picking up my Harp and playing,
when i was in Hospital they would do regular blood saturation oxygen tests on me,
the nurse would say your oxygen leval is down
go for a walk come back i will do another test,i would say wait right there nurse,
pull out my Harp i would only do 1 or 2 slow Blues riffs up then down the scale,say check my blood oxygen now,Hay Presto my Oxygen leval was up much higher she would tick her chart,my ticket to get out of the place.
so combined with my daily 1hr30min walk every morning Playing the Harp has helped me from being 140 Kgs walking dead man,
stuck on a oxygen resporater 24/7 with enough air hose to go from the cloths line letterbox bathtub and Crapper,
to being a medium sized hopeless looking muther Fucker clinging to what he has left in life,
but I'm not on no machines to keep me alive and ive passed my Dr's quoated used by date 35yrs,
the Harmonica has been a savore to me in so many ways it has had a great deal in changing my Life,it still changes my life day by day,
by the people i meet or new things i learn its all good,
Ps you want good breathing exercises try walking around playing one of your Favorite tunes,
evan harder is walking around playing scales
this is a good trick for getting your Breathing in sink with your playing.
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2010 3:42 AM
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Blocker
38 posts
Mar 07, 2010
10:11 PM
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I think Nasty was talking PaO2 rather than SpO2, still low but just acceptable for someone hospitalised with COPD/Asthma.
Keep your nurse Nasty and keep harping mate, it has to be good for your lungs.
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Nastyolddog
377 posts
Mar 07, 2010
11:56 PM
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Hi Bro's Blocker spot on mate,60 was just acceptable thats why i was rushed to Hospital from my DR surgary,
I'm thinking ?
hay i ain't that bad am i,whats going on guys im just came in for a check up,
Yo Michaele i was very ill and death was around the corner your correct anything upder what you say with blood oxygen
saturation levals is unhealthy,i was addmitted at 60%,i had to stay in that Hospital for 8 weeks untill i was 100%,
listening to Old People tell the Nurses just leave me alone to die,while im saying just duck of ya old punts ya had a good run,im getting out of here the right way.
Thanks Blocker it's all good and i go back to vist all the nusres at there yearly xmas party
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2010 3:49 AM
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Ryan
204 posts
Mar 08, 2010
1:25 AM
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"while im saying just duck of ya old punts ya had a good run"
LOL. Maybe I'm the only one, but I have no idea what you just said : ) I guess something was lost in translation.
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2010 1:28 AM
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Nastyolddog
378 posts
Mar 08, 2010
1:52 AM
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Yo Ryan just raise the dropped letters,it's Aussie slang mate check this link for a Better Handle on Australian Lingo. http://jendi.bowmeow.com.au/strine1.html
it's a real laugh
What a said was,
While im saying just uck of you old unts you have had a good long life.. F c :)
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harp honkin
19 posts
Mar 08, 2010
4:58 AM
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After a gig I grab my amp and I'm gone, nothing to tear down and pack up. Easy come easy go!!!
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dfwdlg
99 posts
Mar 08, 2010
8:27 AM
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I love having a little soundtrack generator around at all times. I'm learning the Star Spangled banner, Take me out to the ballpark and that "charge" thing they do on the stadium organ to play at my sons' baseball games.
Always good for happy birthday too.
I plan on handing out harmonicas to my son's cub scout den for their campout coming up in April. Any suggestions on what (and wgere) the best cheap harps are? I was thinking of teaching them a train whistle and a little chugging. Any other tried and true favorites for teaching kids?
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harp honkin
20 posts
Mar 08, 2010
8:45 AM
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Hohner bluesband is a nice little cheap harp,plays real good for a $4.00 harp
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congaron
641 posts
Mar 08, 2010
8:46 AM
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2nd the bluesband. Hohner makes a plastic colored harp for around the same price. I swapped special 20 reedplates and covers onto one of the colored combs by drilling two holes. The plastic ones come in key of C and I think they are the same as the piedmont blues but in colors..not bad playing little harps for kids and the colors might add some interest. Play about the same as a bluesband but not as loud...might keep the parents happier until they learn.
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2010 8:48 AM
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dfwdlg
100 posts
Mar 08, 2010
9:18 AM
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I found that Hohner actually has an official scout harmonica (~$8 to $12 bucks)
(http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=GIFTS&c3=GIFT_MISC&c4=&lv=3&item=1399)
Interesting how the page touts it as: Diatonic with 10 holes and 10 reeds in the key of "C." I'll bet that harmonica is only 1/2 as loud as any with a full complement of reeds.
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