Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I hurt my back playing hockey and haven’t been able to sit for long periods of time.
About a week ago, I fulfilled one of my life’s ambitions, which was to play harp for a rock band. I played a couple of songs with Buck Naykid (No, I am not making this up) at a club in Worcester, Mass. Despite not having rehearsed at all, things went well and it was a lot of fun.
If there are any bands out there that need a harp player, I’m available.
Jimmie Fadden, an absolute master
Which brings me to a brief discourse on big-time harp players. Who’s the best?
You need to take into consideration that the scale is built into the harmonica. So people who basically breathe into the harp (Bob Dylan comes readily to mind) are not in this discussion. I’m talking about folks who know how to make it sing.
The absolute best I have ever heard is Jimmie Fadden of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The tone and clarity he gets on his notes is nothing short of incredible.
Magic Dick of the J Geils band is very good, as are John Sebastian and Huey Lewis. Among the folksingers, Jonathan Edwards is one of the best.
Bob Dylan, not in the discussion
Do you have a favorite?
MUSICIAN TIP
What kind of harp do I like? I use the Special 20 by Hohner. It has a nice clean sound and has plastic reeds, which seem to last longer and clog up less. There are other makes that also use plastic reeds.
