Another Recommendation On The Excello Label
I love to tell folks about Slim Harpo, and blues harp players should also be aware of Lightnin' Slim's records. Lightnin' Slim worked with Slim Harpo, and he also recorded with Lazy Lester. Like Slim Harpo, you will hear approachable blues harp sounds by Lazy Lester on these Lighntnin' Slim recordings.
Your Lesser Harmonica Is Riding Shotgun
A Look At This Trendy Harp
The Bushman Delta Frost harmonica has been around for years. In harmonica high school, the Delta Frost is the pretty new girl who transfers in during the middle of the semester -- everybody is curious about her. So they talk and talk and speculate and speculate. Sure, the guys have been happy dating their Hohner Special 20 harps, but there's something about this new girl that makes them all so curious.
Call me curious. I had read the Bushman Delta Frost and the Suzuki Harpmaster were cousins. And you know how I love the Suzuki Harpmaster.
• Do these cousins look alike? Yes.
• Do they cost the same? No, the Delta Frost will likely cost you a few bucks more.
• Do they sound the same? Similar, sure.
Regarding the above, what does a harp player get for those "few bucks more"? In my opinion, you gain nothing. I stand by my old pal the Suzuki Harpmaster. I say this harp is responsive. I say this harp sounds terrific. I say the Bushman Delta Frost is a fine harmonica . . . but I will keep buying Suzuki Harpmasters. That's what I'm saying.
Raw and Brilliant Duo
In the early 1970's, the great Big Walter recorded with guitar player Jimmy DeBerry. The sound here isn't so perfect. And that's a compliment. The guitar sounds can be rough and simple. The harp sounds are, well, the best thing in this world.
If you're going to label these recordings 'the best thing in this world,' it would help to provide a purchase link. Sorry. I don't think these are that easy to track down. But do keep an eye out for these albums. You are looking for the Crosscut label, with albums titled EASY VOL. 1 and BACK VOL. 2.
American Folk Blues Festival: Vol. 1 - 3
Just a brief and heartfelt suggestion for you: point your Netflix over to this three-disc set. We're talking Germany in the early 1960's. We're talking about elaborate/stereotypical stage sets and stuffy-looking audiences . . . but feel free to ignore those elements. Instead, focus on the performances of blues giants like Big Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, etc.
One moment to look out for on the Vol. 2 disc: the concluding harmonica session. Big Mama Thornton brings out a heavy-hitting bunch of harp sluggers to join her. There is a (dancing!) Big Walter Horton ready to take his turn . . . there is the great Dr. Ross with harp in hand . . . there is J.B. Lenoir . . . and then there is John Lee Hooker. Erm, we all admire John Lee Hooker's singing and guitar playing, but his membership in this harp gang makes no sense. I'm no expert, but I do know what sounds good to me. And poor John Lee Hooker looks/sounds like he is only on stage because he lost a bet.
In conclusion, you need to see American Folk Blues Festival: Vol. 1 - 3. There you go.
Lo-Fi and Lo-$$
The sound of blues harmonica is the sound of amplified harmonica. Save your arguments about Sonny Terry or other blues legends who played without being snuggled up against a microphone. Come on, let's agree that a killer blues harp sound requires an amp.
If you have swollen up checking account, you can take care of the microphone + amplifier challenge any way you want. But if you live in the Common Man Blues Harp World, don't get discouraged by the chunky price tags that accompany the pro audio gear. Even modest tools like a Pignose amp and Hohner harp microphone will lighten your burden by a couple hundred dollars.
What about the deep discounts? I urge your to experiment with unconventional amp ideas. For example, I have been fooling around with an old Radio Shack amplified speaker (catalog no. 32-2040). Don't know what the original purpose of this cheap little speaker was, but this guy makes a fun alternative to pro gear. I partnered it with a cheap lavalier microphone, and I have a fat, overdriven, rough sound.
Other bargain ideas: microphones that come with a child's electronic keyboard or other audio toy, microphones from thrift shops that accompany old tape recorders, etc.
Eliminating 40% of Your Harmonica Woes
A diatonic harmonica has 10 holes. But let's pretend that all your blues business is done in holes 1 - 6, and those pesky high notes are just for decoration.
The experienced blues harper has a reason to cross the border and work in the high notes. The beginner should stay home and navigate through holes 1 - 6.
If you ignore holes 7 - 10, I promise your harmonica playing will be plenty bluesy. I'm betting you could spend the rest of your blues life strictly in the first 6 holes and neither you nor your listeners would feel like something is missing. This advice comes to you from the same Voxer who gave you permission to forget about tongue blocking and just work the pucker process. You see, I'm trying to simplify this blues harmonica world a bit. You can make blues harp as simple or as complicated as you like. But let's get really good at walking before we run, OK?
Instructional Materials From Two Brand Name Players
Scroll around through your choices of blues harp instructional books/CDs/videos, and you will find a bunch of stuff. Overwhelming even. Where do I start? Which of these is worth the investment? Let's take on a doubleheader:
1) John Sebastian Teaches Blues Harmonica (DVD. Homespun Tapes)
This one was done in the pre-DVD era, so you will also see it on VHS tape. Sebastian is strong with illustrating the basics. For example, he presents the concept of I-IV-V blues super clearly. You will "get it." I'm suggesting this is worth checking out if you are a beginner. But I don't think you will walk away feeling like a blues harp hero.
2) Paul Butterfield Blues Harmonica Master Class (Book and CD. Homespun Listen and Learn Series)
Again, this feels like repackaged material. My guess is that you will be entertained by the CD but you won't learn much. Maybe I should jump all the way out there and say you won't learn anything. The teaching technique is poor. The accompanying book is not designed for the beginner. To be avoided . . . unless you just like Butterfield.
Do you know his work with Jimmy Rogers?
Little Walter is a 2008 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You already knew that. You have probably even made your opinions known about:
a) the quality of the Little Walter musical tribute at the Hall of Fame ceremony (you thought it was too sloppy)
b) the ridiculous "Sidemen" label that greeted Little Walter at the Hall of Fame door (you used curse words)
If we were playing word association and I gave you the words "Little Walter" and "sideman," your reply just might be "Muddy Waters." I would find no fault with your reaction. But I strongly suggest you begin thinking: "Jimmy Rogers."
If you aren't listening to Little Walter's work with Jimmy Rogers, you are missing a truckload of tunes. I recommend without reservation . . .
Artist: Jimmy Rogers
Title: The Complete Chess Recordings
Released: 1997
The above is a two-disc set. Not every song features Little Walter, but rest assured that these songs are all super.
Looks Like A Novelty Harmonica But Plays Like A Champ
Not long ago, I Voxed about ignoring holes 7 - 10 on your diatonic harmonica. See below. I have a German buddy in this campaign: Seydel offers a harp called Big Six.
You can accurately guess how many holes this harp has, can't you? Six. What an efficient little blues machine. Let's talk about it.
Price
I paid a little more than $30. That's on the high side for me and harp purchases. I tend to shop in the $15 - $25 harp aisle.
First Impression
The harp arrives sealed in a can. You pop the top like you are getting ready to enjoy some mixed nuts. You instead find your Big Six and a lanyard which allows you to wear your Big Six around your neck. Fun and novelty-ish.
Feel
The small size feels odd. But not for long. Fool around with your Big Six for a couple of days, and you will discover a grip you like.
Sound
I avoid rating a harp's sound because I believe the player is most responsible for sound. Instead, I focus on responsiveness. Does this thing respond to my efforts? Do I have to work too hard? I am pleased to report my Big Six is indeed responsive. It's available in the key of C.
I am happy with my Big Six purchase. I like moving up toward the six hole knowing that I am not going to drift into seven hole territory. This is a neat option, and it fits into the "compact car only" space in your harp gear.
P.S. I have a CD on my shelf by a British rockabilly act called The Big Six. This 1996 release called Ready To Rock is highly recommended. It's got nothing to do with beginner blues harp playing or Seydel or anything. They just share a cool name.
No, you don't have to tongue block.
