WinslowYerxa
654 posts
Jul 09, 2014
10:01 AM
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Ever wonder what it'd be like to play blues or jug band music, or hot-club jazz with bass and chord harmonica?
Now’s your chance.
Bass and chord harmonica are usually seen in the context of Harmonicats-type material, a far remove from roots music.
Why not reboot the harmonica band to play the music that most diatonic players like to play? To be sure, it won’t sound like the Muddy Waters band, but it’ll be different, and it’ll be fun.
At SPAH51, we’re going to organize forums for bass and chord harmonicas to jam and interact with whoever wants to participate. Details will be available at the convention, though we’ll also create an exchange in advance so that folks will have tunes in common to play.
Please let me know if you’re interested in particpating.
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Winslow
Plunge into the SPAH Experience, August 5-9, 2014
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Todd Parrott
1222 posts
Jul 09, 2014
10:08 AM
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How cool! I personally like the sound of the bass harmonica and diatonic together, and even used a bass harmonica on my train song recording for an added effect. This is a great idea for SPAH.
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Michael Rubin
912 posts
Jul 09, 2014
3:39 PM
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I'll play some bass and harmonetta
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cliffy
101 posts
Jul 09, 2014
4:11 PM
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Winslow, I won't be able to make it to SPAH, but I think this is a superb idea. I picked up a bass and a chord harmonica and would love to form some sort of modern harmonica band with the various harmonicas and some sort of percussionist, playing all NON traditional songs... Maybe some modern pop or rock songs, etc.
Which begs the question.... Are there any instructional materials for any of the orchestral harmonicas like bass or chord or tremolo? I think that's one major obstacle to the spread of these seldom-used instruments.
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Gnarly
1056 posts
Jul 09, 2014
4:18 PM
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I will be working at the Suzuki booth, and plan on using the Chord56 to jam with whoever wanders by.
The Chord56 (SSCH-56) is a compact chord instrument that makes doubling really easy to do--I won't post link to the video from NAMM here but you can find it on YouTube if you search . . .
I have also started a Facebook page to educate anyone who wants to include this revolutionary instrument in their kit. Feel free to inquire--my work email is glehmann@suzukicorp.com
See you in St. Louis!
Last Edited by Gnarly on Jul 09, 2014 4:19 PM
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Michael Rubin
913 posts
Jul 09, 2014
7:46 PM
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Cliffy, I could teach you bass by skype. Contact at michaelrubinharmonica@gmail.com
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WinslowYerxa
655 posts
Jul 10, 2014
8:13 AM
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Hi, Cliffy.
Al and Judy Smith have instructional methods for chord and bass. They've been teaching both instruments, along with chromatic, for several years. This year they've given up teaching their two-day class at the SPAH convention for health reasons, but you should still be able to buy their books. Contact Al by email at harmonicahotshots-at-juno.com.
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Winslow
Plunge into the SPAH Experience, August 5-9, 2014
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WinslowYerxa
656 posts
Jul 10, 2014
9:28 AM
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One thing to be aware of is that chord and bass players need to have the chords for whatever tunes you want to play, as they may not know the songs. Bringing lead sheets or chord charts would be a good idea for that reason.
If you want to play old-time or bluegrass tunes, Texas player Cara Cooke turned me on to a resource for lead sheets:
The Central Texas Bluegrass Association (www.centraltexasbluegrass.org) has chord and lyric sheets available on their website with the sole goal of making it possible for folks to have woodshedding materials so that they can feel more comfortable in the jam.
chord sheets to tunes: http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/docs/song_list_r2011.pdf
lyrics to songs: http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/docs/Lyrics_and_Chords.pdf
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Winslow
Plunge into the SPAH Experience, August 5-9, 2014
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The Iceman
1812 posts
Jul 10, 2014
1:25 PM
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Cool idea. Also like the "Area 51" reference...spooky.
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The Iceman
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Diggsblues
1422 posts
Jul 10, 2014
2:00 PM
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Bass harmonica is fun to add to a tune.
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WinslowYerxa
657 posts
Jul 11, 2014
1:29 PM
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OK, we now have specific times for the organized part of the reboot (spontaneous stuff is also welcome, of course).
Wednesday, 10:30 AM - 12 noon
Thursday, 10:30 AM - 12 noon
Friday 1:30 - 3:00 PM
PLease let me know about any tunes you'd like the bass and chord players to be able to play.
Thanks.
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Winslow
Plunge into the SPAH Experience, August 5-9, 2014
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