Harmonica in Bluegrass

[ken klein]

Why not? I am a harp player,please tell me why not...If it is played well and on time...

[Larry W Parrish]

As far as Baroque music. Give a listen to a band called "Chamber Grass" which consists of a Bass, bowed and plucked, and an awesome banjo picker. They rotate between classical and bluegrass.
"What Child is This" or "Greensleeves" has been done bluegrass by several bands. And if that ain't Bluegrass I'll kiss your banjo!

[ken klein]

hey Larry..I'll have to check out that chamber grass,sounds cool...the harp is so versatile in the hands of the right musician..I guess that is true with any instrument..I know some will think I'm crazy to say this...but here it is anyway... practicing alone some times turns into a religious experience...me ,my harp,and God..I do not know if anybody else feels this way...but I do believe God gives musical talent as a gift....it is up to you how far you take it

[ken klein]

Roy I did not think you sounded anti harmonica,I agree with you all music will evolve and should evolve...Like country music today is more pop or rock some like it that way.. I do not ,for me older country like hank williams has that sound I like...so if some musician played hank williams on a tuba and played it well I would still like it.."an old song with a new twist" that's what I do with the harp..
what I meant by a wet blanket is some musicians see the harmonica player as a joke.. some will just try to ignore the player while others will go out of their way to cut the player out of a jam all together by not given the player a break !! when they see a harp player comming some will just run away till they hear em play then they come running back to a hot jam..this is an extreme example

[Roy Cornett]

Well it sounds to me like most of your negative vibes have come when trying to jam with other musicians and that is very unfortunate. In my mind, the entire point of jam sessions is to have various musicians bring something to the table and try to create something unique and original.

I grew up around bluegrass and bluegrass festivals. When I was about 10 years old or so, I remember being backstage and listening to a very traditional bluegrass band warm up. After about 2 minutes I realized that they were playing Metallica. That moment was a turning point for me, when I realized that we categorize music but shouldn't ever categorize musicians.

Have fun and keep on playing!

[Jimmy Rock]

Hey Ken,
I know first hand what you are talking about. I been playing blugrass harmonica for about 30 years, not to mention blues, rock, Irish ballads etc. I've seen pickers walk away when I moved in to play. It was very discourageing. But I stuck with it.
When I first started jaming at bluegrass festivals, it took time, I mean years before a certain group of pickers would give me a break. Once it got around that I could carry my weight, I was more than welcomed to set in most of the time, depending on the songs. I've learned what songs to set in on and which one's not to. It was definitly a learning stage. I only wish I could play like Charlie McCoy.
Jersey Jim from Pennsylvania.

[ken klein]

Hey Jimmy
I'm so glad to meet another Harp player,! "you can relate" Why do any of us play music in the first place? certainly not for the money...but for fun right?
that's what Jaming is all about..a good way to meet new people and compare different styles..
No one is at the same level, so I appreciate good musician's that spend their time building people up rather than tearing them down..
Ken

[d28pkr]

It's not being elitist to say that traditional bluegrass is played with stringed acoustic instruments. But I've never known anyone to turn down a good harpoon player, particularly if he can cross harp. Man, that goes great with certain songs. Keep playing brother!

[ken klein]

Some harmonica facts,most harp players today cross harp,that is we play in a different key most of the time,if the song is in the key of G harp players will play in C, if the song is in C harp players will play it in the key of F and so on.
And tuning 30 plus harps is a full time job, yes you can tune a harmonica....I tune my harps when they have been played hard after a gig...I tune to 443...to raise or lower the pitch you have to file the reeds,...file the tip and the pitch will go up.
I can not play a new harmonica off the shelf, I must take it apart and set it up for my style of playing..

[David Cannaday]

Don`t tell Charlie McCoy harmonica doesn`t fit bluegrass. I like the Flatt & Scruggs album titled "Strickly Instrumental" with Doc Watson. I have heard bad Harmonica, but I have also heard bad banjo, guitar, mandolin, dobro, bass and you haven`t heard bad fiddle til you hear me try. Believe It or Not I have also heard a good spoons player. Music can be made on anything Good & Bad.

[ken klein]

I agree,
there is a group of guys that play trash can lids and mop handles that sound good...it may not be bluegrass but so what...music is what you make it....
to tell you the truth, I like to play country,blues some rock even big band stuff and that makes me versatile and I think makes my bluegrass sound fresh...I play outside the box not in one...that may annoy some and excite others...

[James Kuresh]

I've always found bluegrass people to be tolerant of people who respect the music. If they felt a harp would fit I think most would give it a chance. I like the traditional acoustic sound and would probably balk at something electric (unless it's a bass)
at the jams but, again, my choice to stay or go. Someone mentioned that Bill Munro would probably not allow a harp, but his band (I believe) didn't include bluegrass guitar. So music does evolve but you can only go so far. A bagpipe would seem to be out of the question.

[ken klein]

yes, respect for the Bluegrass sound is inportant....
I have been at some Jams that had an electric bass and I see nothing wrong with that...when your talking about an open jam we should welcome all musicians that play acoustic instruments because that is the essence of our roots...and when we deviate from that some will take offense.