How about setting some sort of world record--any world record--on the harmonica?
Turns out that nobody has done this. Or at least that's the claim made by the Universal Record Database. I put the search term "harmonica" into the site's search engine and got the reply, "Sorry, but there are currently no records involving 'Harmonica' Would you like to set one?"
Here's the website:
http://urdb.org/search/harmonica
I stumbled across the website when, in a search for advice about how to self-record audiobooks, I came across a link for "Most fart sounds made over a one-minute extract of Sarah Palin's GOING ROGUE. That looked interesting. It wasn't. But the website itself is pretty cool, and naturally I wanted to see what sort of harmonica records were out there.
There aren't any.
So here's your chance. Boldly go where nobody has gone before. How about...oh, I don't know. "Longest sustained bend on a 10 hold blow, A harp." C'mon, Brandon. You can take that one. Somebody! Anybody! Set a baseline.
Here, BTW, is what comes up on the search for "fart." Other results include longest distance to be carried by other people (more than 9 miles, set on the island of Manhattan) and "farthest distance to throw a banana" (150 feet 10 inches).
http://urdb.org/search/fart
I'll send a free autographed copy of MISTER SATAN'S APPRENTICE, postpaid, to whichever forum member first sets a harmonica record recognized (on the website) by the organization mentioned above. I haven't inspected the rules & regulations part. I'm sure official witnesses are required. Figure it out. My offer is out there. My only requirement: when you set the record AND get it officially recognized, come here and start a thread about it.
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2011 11:53 AM
BTW: I just held a bent 10 blow on a Seydel Bb harp modded by Ben Bouman for 22 seconds, with no warm up and no real attempt made to begin with the largest possible chest full of air. If you're thinking of setting that record and want to keep it out of easy reach of the Kudzu King, you'll need to hold it at least 25 seconds.
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2011 12:01 PM
WHO: Nicky Shane WHAT: 285 bpm WHERE: California, USA, WHEN: 8 September 2005
The fastest harmonica player is Nicky Shane (USA) who played 'Oh When the Saints Go Marching In' at a speed of 285 bpm in SRS Studios, Santa Barbara, California, USA, on 8 September 2005.
yeah but I bet he can't hold a 10 hole bend for 38 sec
Todd, I'm going to call Guinness out on that one. They really need a recording, and although 285 bpm sounds fast, but I think we've go one song that's at least half that fast in our set. It could depend a lot what tuning he's using too.
As for longest sustained regular note, that seems like a circular breather could set that at whatever they wanted, but a ten bend, that might be a challenge! My blow bends usually decay after a few seconds even when I still have breath left.
Okay, this is not super super fast, or particularly good, but I think I got all the notes in there. I actually tried it on a higher harp to see if that would play faster, but I was faster on the Bb. Here is my best fast take of Yankee Doodle. I'm sure someone can play it faster, but you'll have to record it to prove it! (Sorry if the test bias favors Americans. My other fast tune is something I wrote myself.)
I can keep a 10 bend theoretically indefinitely. I just did for quite a while. The circle breathing works fine. Although, my pitch started slipping a bit after a while.
Was it Kenny G that kept up a single sax note for over half an hour? I think that's the record.
it's all tongueing and sliding up and down randomly. It's nothing like the fast triplet stuff that the real speed players like Popper and Sugar Blue do. I bet just about anyone on this forum could duplicate that kind of 'speed'.
The thing to understand about Nicky Shane is that he bills himself as a "stand-up comedian, visual artist, and musician." (Google him.) The "fastest harp player in the world" thing is a schtick. He's a performance artist. He's trying to see if anybody will actually buy his claim. It's all a put-on. Or it's a semi-put-on. It's semi-tongue-in-cheek. I think he knows this.
On the other hand, maybe he actually buys his own hype.
History repeats itself the first time as tragedy and the second time as farce. Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock was history. You decide whether Nicky Shane is tragedy or farce. I lean more towards farce. THIS IS HARMONICA TAP.
I guess mine would be the mileage record for driving and playing!
@Eharp: They did attempt to break the record for largest ensemble in Houston a few months ago but alas, close but no cigar...
I haven't forgotten about that harp I told you about either, I have it and the box, now all I need is the postage (pathetic I know) I'll get it to you this week! ---------- Shane
"I actually have a rock band called Heavy Metal Harmonica so,"
"oh wow (how dreamy)"
"yeah so I'm kind of a big deal"
I don't know if she was hitting on him but she was smitten. haha
I like his Chris Angel hands.
Upon reading Stickman's post I went back to read the Nicky Shane thread. I understand now. And since it was said then, I can't resist bringing it back... Douche-bag
@shanester- I would be in the running with ya on the mileage record my friend. Glad to know I'm not alone.
---------- Be safe, keep the faith, and don't let em tearrrrrr ya down.
