what's the one song that really influenced you to start learning to play the harp? Can you find it on youtube?
Mine was this one. It just made me want to practice and practice...and it still does to this day! I never get tired of it (even though the licks are kind of repetitive).
I've started learning harp not to long ago. I really wanted to play guitar, acoustic and electric blues. Searching youtube for Eric Clapton and Cream vids I found this
I'm not close to play something like that maybe someday. Learning by myself's not easy I'm not particularly musicaly gifted.
I saw muddy waters at a juke joint when I was underage in the mid 60s I dont know who his harp player was that night but could have been mojo burford he lit the place up and that was when I really began to love blues harp along with listening to john r on wlac late night blues
"Train Time" from Cream's Wheels of Fire album. When I was in high school our art class teacher would play whatever we brought in. We wore this album out that year. Jack Bruce may be looked down upon by some harp purists but I think he cooked.
James Cotton "Slow Blues" was the youtube vid that really got me hooked on blues harmonica, but it was this Terry McMillan video that lit the fire to give harmonica a try. He felt it. RIP Terry.
The first time I remember thinking to myself "Man I wish I could play that" was Bring it on Home by Led Zeppelin. Which led me to looking up Sonny Boy Williamson, which led me to buying a bunch of Chess Blues tapes. Once I found Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, and Sonny Terry I was hooked.
as i recall, the harp in this tune was the light out of all others that, by chance, shone directly into my eyes...and started this whole damn thing....
It all Started way back when i was i child when we visted Pop & Nan on saturdays,Mum and Nan would have a good Old chin wag
Pop would get the shits tell them to stop carrying on like a pack of Old Sheilas, Nan would tell him where to go call him a crumpy old Basterd, get out the Bloody house if ya want supper tonight,
He would pack the shits tell Dad come on Son lets go down the street let the Old Cows keep Mooing there giveing me the Bloody shits,
they would take my Bro and i down to see Pops mates at the local pub and buy us a cherry cheer,
then over to the local Book maker put on some bets then walk down to Eddie Charltons Pool Hall,talk some more to Old Eddie,
stroll up the Channel see if any mates where there fishing of the Bridge see what there catching,
then back home the long way Dad and Pop would hit the Pub Again listen to there bets have a beer or 2,
there was a news agent right next door to the Pub pop needed some tabacco, he went in came back with his Dr Pat ready rub and hay suprise boys look what i got you,,,, a Toy Harmonici give them a blow,
while me and Dad have a beer well be blew the hell out of them in the Beer Garden haveing fun,
when we got home we showed Mum and Nan they pretended to like them while Dad and Pop had a good Old Belly laugh at us running around going e aw e aw e aw haveing fun,
we eventuly lost them or they went missing don't know but i never forgot that day, that Saturday just like yesterday geez it was Fun:)
many years later i got my car licence used to drive all over the place with my Bro's, one Day my Bro decided he wanted to learn to play guitar the nearest guitar shop was 30 miles away,
we went in town he was looking at guitars i didn't click at the time driveing him to the big smoke had no intention of playing a musical instrument,
but POW!! there it was a Harmonica Hohner Special-20 the newest Harmonica From Hohner POW!! Saturday came flashing back,
what check out the Book that comes with it Learn to Play Harmonica in 5 minutes,i was Hooked,
well i guess i was Hooked as a child i just needed to be reminded that the Harmonica was my Instrument ,,thanks POP:)
I picked up the harmonica because I thought it would be easy to learn and give me something else to bring to the party besides vocals. I fell in love with it despite how hard I've found it to be. All in all I consider myself a vocalist who owns way more harmonicas than I deserve. LOL! So yeah, there wasn't a harp song involved in the decision.
Alright, alright it's a rock band not a blues band but this is the guy (S. Tyler) and this is the song that turned me on to the harp...........and as much as I suck at playing this maddeningly difficult little musical instrument ......I am now hooked.............for life.
