Howdy folks. You MBH oldtimers will remember Buddha. He was perhaps a bit controversial on this board, but in real life, he was a warm, wonderful person who loved sharing his knowledge and skill with others. He was friend, mentor, and my first real harmonica teacher. It'll have been 5 years since he passed away next week. As a sort of tribute to everything he freely gave away to me and others, I put together a little lesson on a sweet 12th position lick he taught back in the day. Footage of that original lesson follows. I hope this little lesson/video gets folks to remember Chris and his contributions to the world of Harmonica. I miss ya, Chris!
Don't think you really need to be an MBH old timer to know who Chris Michalek was and I know he liked to ruffle feathers on here but having read some of his posts in the past I'm sure his tongue was planted firmly in his cheek when he wrote them. I always got the impression a lot of non 'blues' harmonica players like to hang here 1. because of Adam 2. cos there ain't no where else for them to hang! ----------
"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
I met him via online harmonica crap and he happened to live where it was a good diversion when I was passing through. I got to spend a good bit of time with the guy and thoroughly enjoyed the company. I probably stayed at his house a half dozen times, and had lunch with him another 5 or 6 when I didn't have much time to spend.
He was everything he put out there in his web persona. He was also nothing even close at other times. A curious blend of bombastic and swaggering insecurity. This yin and yang (or, the many faces of Chris) was just him.
I only knew him for about 2 years, but he left an indelible mark. More like a stain that you can't quite get out, but you get the idea.
Screw you, you big fat arrogant bastard. I miss you.
---------- ~Buzadero Underwater Janitor, Patriot MBH poster since 11Nov2008
Last Edited by Buzadero on Dec 12, 2015 8:10 AM
Many moons ago I happened to make mention that I would like to try a suzuki promaster. Guess who gave me one!!!Yep, Chris was a great guy, ---------- Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
I was fortunate back in 2009 to have dinner with Jimi lee and P.T. Gazell, during the Buckeye Harmonica Festival. These guys were true fans of Chris. They spoke highly of his music, style, and teaching. If I'm correct, Jimi shared a room at SPAH with Buddha on more than one occasion.
Isaacullah: This is the second time you have laid out a great riff that I have been able to pick up and keep in my repertoire for daily practice and use! Keep em coming my friend. I for one get a lot of use from your teaching. And I Thank You!!! K.C. ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
His tone in the end half of that first lesson is pretty amazing. Even tho its a simple lick. It's still sounds fantastic. ---------- I Hate to advocate Drugs, Alcohol, Violence, or Insanity to Anyone, But They've Always Worked for Me. •• Hunter S. Thompson ••
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Dec 12, 2015 8:03 AM
Has it been 5 years? Damn! Chris was an awesome musical talent and a GREAT harp customizer. I still enjoy the various harps he built for me and still feel the blues for the 2 harps he was about to mail me at the time of his passing. RIP big guy....
It's really nice to see how many good memories of Chris everyone has. Seems like just yesterday that he passed, and sometimes I still expect him to pop back online and declare it was all one of his big practical jokes. But that's just not going to happen this time. Keep the memories coming! I'm glad this thread could facilitate all this...
@KC69: Thanks man! That really means a lot to me to hear that. I will absolutely be making more of these types of quick lessons in the future! ----------
Issac: what key of harp are you using? I thought it was a "C" harp starting on blow 3. When the vid gets to Chris, He says it starts on blow 4. I can't seem to find the key that fits. What great tone he has. ---------- ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
I'm using a G harp, which, in 12th position will be playing in the key of C. The "home" note in 12th is the five draw, but the riff starts on 4 blow. Like I said, I'm using a G harp in my portion of the vid, but at the end in the lesson from Chris, we were using a B harp (key if E in 12th) to play along with Ray's ("oldwailer" here in mbh) guitar riff...
Thanks brother: I have a little training in 12th position from Jim Rumbaugh at his WVA. harmonica get together. Love the vid with Oldwailer. I play a little guitar and rack harp. This gives be something to work towards. May have a few questions in the future. ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
