I’m A Harmonica Player

The Blues Foundation’s annual Handy Awards nominees have been named for 2009. Check out the full list here: http://www.blues.org/bluesmusicawards/nominees.php4

I’m very pleased to note that a long-time friend of mine, Steve Guyger, has been nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year: Harmonica. What can I say except “It’s about frickin’ time!!” Steve has been a well kept secret despite having toured with the late Jimmy Rogers, among others. As far as blues harmonica goes, it doesn’t get any better than Steve and I’m delighted to see him recognized publicly.

I’m A Harmonica Player

This is an unofficial list based on my observations over a number of years. They are in no particular order and the list could certainly be expanded considerably! These are just the ones I’ve seen most often.

• Playing over other musicians - this could also be titled “Doesn’t play nice with others.” People not used to playing in a band situation (and some who are!) will often play constantly through an entire song, stepping on vocals, others trying to take solos, etc. This is a really quick way to earn the ire of your fellow musicians. Listen to the rest of the group and try to find a place where your instrument fits into the fabric of the song. It’s not a contest to see who gets the most notes in. The idea is to create a musical experience that’s enjoyable for the players as well as the audience.
• Playing the same licks over and over - this really comes down to one word: listening! I can’t tell you how many players I’ve heard who know one or two bluesy-sounding licks and beat them to death in the course of a solo. For whatever reason, it always tends to be the same couple of licks only varying by instrument. Listen to the music! For example, the blues isn’t always the same three chords and the same three or four signature licks. There’s immense variety in most every genre of music. Your playing will improve 1000% by simply learning the subtleties of your favorite music and introducing more variety into your playing.
• Playing too loud or too softly - usually, it’s the opposite, but there are those who don’t play loud enough to be heard at all. Sometimes that’s a blessing, but if you’re going to get up there, at least be heard! I knew a guy who could cup a harmonica over a vocal mic and look like he was blowing his lungs out, but no one could hear him. How he did it I have no idea, but it was bizarre to watch. At least he wasn’t damaging anybody’s hearing that way! Cranking your amp to 11 in order to be heard over everybody can be hazardous to someone’s health, quite possibly your own!
• Buying too much gear - the musical instrument industry thrives on Gear Acquisition Syndrome, or GAS. Musicians, especially amateurs, believe that if they buy another piece of gear, preferably the exact model played by Joe Rockstar, they’ll suddenly become the player of their dreams. Sorry, folks, it ain’t gonna happen. If you have the money and love toys, go for it, but if you’re wanting to be a player, spend the money on lesssons and practice! You don’t need a zillion effects to play well. The effects only color your sound. If your sound sucks to start with, all the gear in the world won’t help that. Buy an amp big enough for your needs, but save the stadium stack for when you and your band hit the big time.
• Not practicing properly - many amateurs spend their practice time playing things they already know. While it’s good to run over your repertoire occasionally, the purpose of practice is to hone your skills. That usually means learning something new and perfecting it. Make it a goal next time you practice to learn something new. Do that every time you practice and you’ll be amazed at how far your playing will come in a relatively short time. Practice only makes perfect if it’s correct practice. I know it’s easier and sometimes more fun to play things that are easy for you, but you won’t grow unless you keep stretching your abilities. In the long run, it’s way more fun to look back and realize how far you’ve come than to be playing the same stuff a year down the road.

John Sawyer

Jam Trax Harmonica Book and CD
Practice soloing and learn to improvise in your favorite style by jamming with the live backup band on the Jam Trax CD. Learn the techniques of the professionals! The Jam Trax books provide suggested scales, chords, riffs, and progressions - in standard notation and tablature. With Jam Trax the band is always ready to jam - it’s like carrying your band in your back pocket!

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Hohner Steven Tyler Artist Series Harmonica
The Steven Tyler Artist Series harmonica is ideal for any lover of rock ‘n’ roll. The instrument is available in the key of A and features plated brass reed plates, a plastic comb and laser engraved black covers. The black molded carrying case is imprinted with a custom ST logo designed by Steven Tyler himself. Packaged on a full-color blister card.

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Hohner Piedmont Blues Harmonica Set
The Piedmont Blues set presents the beginning harmonica player with an affordable way to sample playing in seven different keys (G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F).

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Hohner Marine Band Harmonica
Internationally recognized by players for its simple beauty and resonant tone, this is the most famous harmonica in the world. The pearwood body, solid brass plates, and patented cover design produce a musical quality that, when first heard in 1896, brought the Marine Band immediate popularity. This is the model that helped to create the sound of the Blues, Country, Folk, and Rock.

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Hohner Hoodoo Hand Harmonica Wireless System
The world’s first value-oriented wireless system designed specifically for harmonica! Features a patented hoodoo ring” mic clip allows for perfect mic placement and freedom of hand motion! High-Quality micro-lavalier microphone designed specifically for harmonica. UHF Dual-diversity receiver ensures great reception. Front-mount volume control for ease of adjustment in live applications.”

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Hohner HH154 Harmonica Holder
Use this handy device to hold your harmonica around your neck, keeping your hands free to do other things such as play guitar.

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Hohner Bob Dylan Signature Series Harmonica
The new harmonica is appropriately named the Bob Dylan Signature Series. It features custom cover-plates bearing Dylan’s signature, a carrying case embossed with Dylan’s Eye logo and an outer gift box featuring an exclusive picture of Dylan in the inside cover.

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Hohner Hardshell Harmonica Case
The Hohner harmonica carrying case ensures protection of your harmonicas during transportation. Made out of resistant plastic elements with a sturdy aluminium frame, it offers space for 12, 10-hole diatonic harmonicas and one 64-reed chromatic harmonica or accessories.

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