[Dixielandjazz] Harmonica

Tue, 23 Jul 2002 11:34:05 -0400

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Bill Gunter wrote:

> If you want to play a song in Bb, for example, you'd use a Bb
> harmonica.
> BUT . . . if you want to play a blues tune in Bb on a harmonica you
> must use
> an Eb harmonica.

==================================================
Bill, you old rascal.  I didn't know you played mouth harp.

I play mostly in "first position" that is, if the tune is played in Bb,
I use
a Bb harmonica.  I can bend notes on the upper end BLOWING.
I use diatonic harmonicas, not chromatics.  Playing first position
and being able to bend notes (on the upper register only, unfortunately)

in that position allows me to play the 20's, 30's and 40's tunes I so
dearly
love to play.

I can also play blues cross harping (using a harmonica that is a fifth
down --
that is, an Eb harp for a Bb tune) to get the blues effect, but that
doesn't
fit the style on most jazz and ballad tunes from the 20's, 30's and
40's.
On certain tunes, such as "A Train," I switch to blues cross-harping
style or switch back and forth between two harps.

I always find it frustrating when I want to sit in with a band, and when
they
see the harmonicas immediately want to do a blues tune (usually 12 bar
blues)
because that's all they ever heard a diatonica harmonica play.

You can hear sound samples at
http://www.BlueHeavenMusic.com
Then under Artists, then on Henry_Stinson,
and then click on Sound Samples

The "Route 66" intro uses cross harping.
"Fly Me to the Moon" uses straight-harp (first position),
as do the rest of the sound samples that contain harmonica.

--
Henry Stinson, BSECE, Website Developer and Software Engineer (Visual
Basic)
Vocalist, Jazz Harmonica, Jazz Whistling and "Mouth Trumpet".
Orpheus Jazz Ensemble, Blue Heaven Jazz Band
Msg: 703-742-4670 Day: 703-893-8930 (Ring once, then call right back.)

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Bill Gunter wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>If you want to play a song in Bb, for example, you'd
use a Bb harmonica.
 BUT . . . if you want to play a blues tune in Bb on a harmonica you
must use
 an Eb harmonica.</blockquote>
==================================================
 Bill, you old rascal.&nbsp; I didn't know you played mouth harp.
I play mostly in "first position" that is, if the tune is played in
Bb, I use
 a Bb harmonica.&nbsp; I can bend notes on the upper end BLOWING.
 I use diatonic harmonicas, not chromatics.&nbsp; Playing first position
 and being able to bend notes (on the upper register only, unfortunately)
 in that position allows me to play the 20's, 30's and 40's tunes I
so dearly
 love to play.
I can also play blues cross harping (using a harmonica that is a fifth
down --
 that is, an Eb harp for a Bb tune) to get the blues effect, but that
doesn't
 fit the style on most jazz and ballad tunes from the 20's, 30's and
40's.
 On certain tunes, such as "A Train," I switch to blues cross-harping
 style or switch back and forth between two harps.
I always find it frustrating when I want to sit in with a band, and
when they
 see the harmonicas immediately want to do a blues tune (usually 12
bar blues)
 because that's all they ever heard a diatonica harmonica play.
You can hear sound samples at
 <a href="http://www.BlueHeavenMusic.com">http://www.BlueHeavenMusic.com</a>
 Then under Artists, then on Henry_Stinson,
 and then click on <a href="http://BlueHeavenMusic.com/Artists/Henry_Stinson/HS_Samples.htm">Sound
Samples</a>
The "Route 66" intro uses cross harping.
 "Fly Me to the Moon" uses straight-harp (first position),
 as do the rest of the sound samples that contain harmonica.
--
 Henry Stinson, BSECE, Website Developer and Software Engineer (Visual
Basic)
 Vocalist, Jazz Harmonica, Jazz Whistling and "Mouth Trumpet".
 Orpheus Jazz Ensemble, Blue Heaven Jazz Band
 Msg: 703-742-4670 Day: 703-893-8930 (Ring once, then call right back.)
 &nbsp;</html>

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