SUMMER 2014 EASY REEDING HOHNER’S MAGAZINE FOR THE HARMONICA ENTHUSIAST

THE HOHNER TRAVELLING ROADSHOW FEATURING RONNIE SHELLIST

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT MICKEY RAPHAEL IN THE STUDIO WITH JIM HOKE TECH NOTES THE RESPONSIVE HARMONICA HARMONICA WORLD REVIEWS THE ROCKET HOHNER News Contents HOHNER News 2 NEWS Artist Spotlight 3 All HOHNER Harmonicas Now Come With Free Lessons Mickey Raphael Hohner Harmonicas has given you the gift for diatonic and chromatic harmonica Tech Notes 4 The Responsive Harmonica of education... Now every HOHNER har- for all skill level players. monica includes an insert card with a cou- If you have purchased a qualifying Hohner Our CD Pick 4 Kirk Jellyroll Johnson pon code for a 30 Day Free membership harmonica and did not receive an insert card to Bluesharmonica.com. with a coupon code, you can still sign up for In The Studio 4 At Bluesharmonica.com you’ll have access to free lessons at www.hohnerusa.com. with Jim Hoke over 3,000 video, PDF and MP3 lessons The HOHNER Rocket 5 Reviewed by Pat Missin HOHNER Builds Bono a Custom Birthday Harmonica Hohner Roadshow Dates 6 Recently the Hohner Service Center was approached by a representative of Irish rock Ronnie Shellist 7 band U2 to make a gold harmonica to pres- Meet The HOHNER Travelling Roadshow Ringmaster ent as a birthday gift to their singer, Bono. Designed with gold plated Meisterklasse cov- HOHNER Gives Back 8 ers, gold plated MS reed plates in the key of Stories From Around The World B, and a wooden comb. “Thank you for totally nailing it and coming through for me.....Bono is blown away,” said the U2 representative.

The HOHNER Harmonica Travelling Roadshow The Hohner Harmonica Travelling Roadshow is headed to a town near you! Come one, come all to this free event for all ages. The Roadshow features harmonica demonstra- tions and free lessons by nationally known Visit Hohner Artist Ronnie Shellist as well as free harmonica repairs and tons of free HOHNER swag! Check the schedule on page 6 for dates in your area. Chromatic King - Original Blues Songwriting Contest Stay Connected! Original Blues Chromatic Instru- Prizes facebook.com/HohnerMusic mental Songwriting Contest by 1st Prize: Hohner 270 Super Chromonica BluesHarmonica.com and Hohner. Harmonica, Hohner Shirt and Hat pinterest.com/ Enter your original instrumental recording for a 2nd Prize: Hohner Discovery 48 Chromatic HohnerMusic chance to be crowned as the BuesHarmonica. Harmonica, Hohner Shirt and Hat com’s Blues Chromatic King, as well as youtube.com/HohnerUSA given the opportunity to perform your winning 3rd Place: Hohner Tin “Vintage” Signage, song in the grand finale at Mark Hummel’s Hohner Shirt and Hat Blues Harmonica Blowout in January. All Timeline twitter.com/PlayHohner entries will be listened to and commented on Submit your entry before 11/1/14 for a chance by our all-star lineup of judges... blues to be crowned as the Chromatic King! For gplus.to/PlayHohner chromatic wizards Rick Estrin, Mark more details please visit: Hummel and Dennis Gruenling! bluesharmonica.com/chromatic-king 2 | EASY REEDING Did you grow up listening to a lot of differ- ent kinds of music?

Mickey Raphael: Well, my mother was very musical. We had a piano in the house and she loved George Gershwin, so she’d play “Rhapsody in Blue” all the time. I guess I just have a real fond memory of that song and all of its different variations. I grew up listening to my mom play music. I didn’t listen to records very much.

How old were you when you got your first harmonica?

M.R.: I was probably 15. A friend of my dad’s gave me a harmonica and said that if I learned to play “The Old Gray Mare” or

We’re just winging it. We’re creating. It’s “different every day.

“Oh! Susanna” or one of those old songs, he’d give me the harmonica. That’s kind of how I started out – just sounding out songs. I grew up in Dallas and was want- ing to be a guitar player, but I just wasn’t very good. The harmonica was just some- thing that I walked into.

How many harmonicas do you own now?

M.R.: Well, you need a minimum set of 12 with each one in a specific key, so I have variations of tunings and doubles of ev- Mickey erything – several hundred I’m sure just because they go out of tune and I don’t mess with tuning them myself. I have a Raphael couple sets that I use in the studio and a couple of sets to use on the road. You just By Kara Pound - karapound.com saxophone genius King Curtis as two of have to be prepared. rofessional harmonica player Michael his biggest influences. Compass caught up Siegfried “Mickey” Raphael has been with Raphael as he was in Los Angeles vis- You’ve recorded with everyone from Em- Ptouring with country legend, Willie Nel- iting friends. mylou Harris to Elton John to U2. Is there son, since 1973. a dream artist or band that you’d love to The Nashville-based “pocket piano” player work with? A Texas-native, Raphael is no stranger to gave some insight into growing up with life on the road. He’s also an accomplished Gershwin, his extensive harmonica collec- M.R.: Ya. I was thinking about that the studio musician who credits blues great tion and what it’s like when Willie Nelson is other day. I would love to record with Paul Paul Butterfield and rhythm and blues your boss. Here’s some of that conversation. Simon. I’ve played with him live before, so continued on page 9 3 Tech Notes about technique and stuff,” Walter said, “I In The Studio just know my harmonica shouldn’t be like with Jelly Roll Johnson this. It should respond to me.” For the player, response is a term used to The Responsive Harmonica. describe how quickly and effortlessly a reed sounds when air (breath) has been A harmonica player named Walter with Jim Hoke introduced. If the note sounds clearly approached a Hohner technician and immediately it is considered “good” Aat a recent road show. He had a Blues response. If the reed makes no sound Harp in new condition but the draw reeds or a weak sound, it is considered “bad” made no sound. The technician tried the response. harmonica and the reeds played smooth, clear and effortless throughout. Puzzled, Often all that is needed on an otherwise the tech handed the harmonica back to well set up harmonica is for the player to Walter and asked for a demonstration. adjust their breath pressure to find the Walter wailed away, attacking the reeds optimum response point for a harmonica. with very hard pressure and restricted However many players prefer not to adjust throat muscles. Under such aggressive their well-practiced and personal tech- technique the reeds could not initiate -- nique. they were being choked. When changing technique is not an op- The tech mentioned to Walter that an tion, adjustments to personalize response easier blowing technique would result in can be made to the harmonica itself. a more consistent sound. “I don’t know continued on page 10

ome years ago, before the music Our CD Pick Sbusiness got all strange from people “New Orleans – The Land of Dreams” (Basin Street Blues) downloading songs for free and CD sales tanked, publishers used to have budgets For my third instrumental album, I decid- Marine Band - ‘Basin Street Blues’ and ‘Didn’t for their writers to cut pretty spiffy demos ed to do a harmonica tribute to the mu- He Ramble’, followed by ‘Do You Know What of their songs. As a harmonica player (and “sic of New Orleans. I have had some of these It Means to Miss New Orleans’, which I en- multi-instrumentalist) I used to enjoy the songs on a list to possibly record for quite joyed playing on a C 270 chromatic. ‘St. high-energy, spontaneous, intense-but- some time. My original thought was to honor James Infirmary’ is played on a G Marine fun marathon sessions where a room full the music of my home state of Louisiana. (Ca- Band in D minor. A harmonica party breaks of good musicians would barrel thru six jun, Zydeco, Swamp Pop, out on the Mardi Gras In- Traditional Jazz). I decided dian chant ‘L’ll Liza Jane’, to just focus on the sounds with Pat Bergeson taking Now they’re really in a of New Orleans. the second harp solo, and “bind. Utterly desperate Growing up in Lake Charles, both of us playing a Bass and out of options, they LA., we would visit family Harmonica breakdown. I do something really in New Orleans very often. am also doing some rhythm Many years later, we had a chugs and doubling on a screwball - they call the small condo on Burgundy Low C Thunderbird, cus- guy who played the part tomized by Joe Filisko. We Street in the French Quarter. in the first place - ME! I would go to Preservation Hall every night to give a shout out to the great Professor Long- hair on ‘Tipitina’, and close with Randy New- soak up the sounds of traditional jazz. songs in a 3-hr. chunk of time. The playful man’s emotional ‘Louisiana 1927’. I decided to keep the band fairly small for this jibes would really fly: “Man, NOBODY’s recording, with Pat Bergeson on guitar, John I hope that this album pays homage to the doing what you’re doing.” “I dig what Jarvis on piano, Charlie Chadwick on bass, spirit and soul of New Orleans.” you’re trying to do.” “That’s something and Chris Brown on drums. The harmonica – Kirk Jellyroll Johnson short of BRILLIANT!” You get the idea.... serves as the only ‘horn’. CDs available at www.cdbaby.com and www. It was fun because there was no pres- A couple of traditional tunes kick things off on jellyrolljohnson.com. sure - it wasn’t the record, just a demo. continued on page 11 4 | EASY REEDING The Hohner Rocket As Reviewed In Harmonica World Magazine By Pat Missin here has been quite a lot of buzz on the vari- perament at about A=443Hz, similar to that used on the current ous harmonica forums about Hohner’s new- crop of Marine Bands. est ten hole diatonic since its debut at NAMM All the octaves sound nice and clean and the chords sound pleas- earlier this year, with it being frequently de- scribed as a sort of souped up Special 20. However, although the Rocket certainly has I believe Hohner is currently making some features in common with the S20, there are also quite a few “ some of the best harmonicas they’ve Tsignificant differences. ever made and I think the Rocket might The first thing you will notice upon taking it out of its semi-hard- just be my favourite of all their recently shell zippered case is how extremely comfortable it is to handle. introduced diatonics. Both the comb and the covers are very ergonomically designed, with absolutely no sharp edges or corners anywhere. The cov- antly smooth. The reed adjustment is quite consistent over the full range of the harp, with the reeds being gapped a little wider than the other recently produced Hohner harps that I’ve played. I’m not sure if it is just the specimen I have for review, or if this is a general spec for the Rocket. This makes it better suited for the more ag- gressive player, but of course, if you have some basic reed adjust- ment skills, it would be no problem to set it up for a lighter touch.

The construction of the Rocket gives it a very bright, lively sound, in noticeable contrast with the darker tone of the Special 20. I’m not sure that it is actually louder than the S20, but it does seem

to be a bit more powerful and would be ideal for raucous acoustic sessions where you need a harmonica with some cutting power. The Rocket is available in all twelve major keys and has a MSRP in the US of about $100, although it is generally retailing at about 2/3 of that and selling for comparable prices in Europe and the UK. Certainly not a cheap harp, by any means, but not outrageous for what you get.

If you like the tone of the Marine Band Crossover, but would pre- ers are stainless steel and, in contrast to the closed in covers of fer a plastic comb with recessed reedplates, or if you love the the Special 20, they are wide open at the rear of the instrument Special 20, but wish it had a more aggressive tone, then I would and have large vents at the ends of each cover, like the Marine definitely recommend checking out the Hohner Rocket. I’ve said it Band. The comb is grey ABS and the reed chambers are slightly more than once recently, but I think it bears repeating - I believe wider than those on the S20, tapering to even wider holes in Hohner is currently making some of the best harmonicas they’ve the mouthpiece, with narrower dividers between them. The reed ever made and I think the Rocket might just be my favourite of all plates appear to be identical with those used in the Special 20 and their recently introduced diatonics. are attached with eight Phillips head screws. The sample I have for review is in the key of Bb and is tuned in a light compromise tem- Originally published in the June/July 2014 issue of Harmonica World. 5 Featuring: AMAZING harmonica performances FREE Harmonica Repairs Wild & Exotic Harmonicas from the past & present and FREE LESSONS! Coming to a city near you! Aug 11 Lexington,Q KY Sep 23 Columbus, OH NovR 4 Ontario, CA Aug 12 Louisville, KY Sep 24 Lyndhurst, OH Nov 5 Las Vegas, NV Aug 13 Florence, KY Oct 7 Orlando, FL Nov 10 Moline, IL Aug 19 Lombard, IL Oct 8 Orlando, FL Nov 11 Cedar Falls, IA Aug 20 Buffalo Grove, IL Oct 13 Margate, FL Nov 12 Cedar Falls, IA Aug 21 Lansing, MI Oct 14 Miami, FL Nov 13 Ottumwa, IA Sep 8 Silver Spring, MD Oct 15 Miami Lakes, FL Nov 17 Richmond, VA Sep 9 Philadelphia, PA Oct 20 Westminster, CA Nov 18 Raleigh, NC Sep 10 Cherry Hill, NJ Oct 21 Cerritos, CA Nov 19 Charlotte, NC Sep 17 Atlanta, GA Oct 22 Canoga Park, CA Sep 22 Cincinnati, OH Nov 3 City of Industry, CA and more to come...

Visit HohnerUSA.com for more information 6 | EASY REEDING ucker up like you are about The event is part of a grand mission with a harmonica community.” JP Fuller, store man- to kiss your grandma,” says the noble cause. "Hohner has embarked on a ager at the Roadshow’s first event in Jack- P man to a crowd of about 50 people, nationwide campaign to engage people to sonville, FL observed that the event was a each one chuckling and pushing their lips out play the harmonica," explains Clay Edwards, total success. ”It was a great night, custom- like affectionate grandchildren. "Now bring ers were very excited. We had never done the harmonica to your lips and try to make a anything like this before. It brought in a lot of single note," he instructs. Unanimously the our regulars but there were also definitely a crowd responds by blowing into the # 4 hole. lot of new faces in the store that night which The sound wafts out across the room and the was great to see.” man smiles and nods his approval. This is a great opportunity for folks to ask their Community is the centerpiece of the Road- The man is harmonica player extraordinaire “ show. Attendees can expect to learn about and music educator Ronnie Shellist and own questions on playing new playing techniques, get updated on the the crowd filling this local music store was the harmonica. Everybody latest harmonica innovations and get the op- curious to check out just what exactly this portunity to jam and discuss their opinions Hohner Harmonica Travelling Roadshow was who attends receives a free and experiences with other harmonica fans. all about. harmonica, and some really Ronnie Shellist is the ringmaster of the “The Roadshow is an event unlike any oth- cool free giveaways.” Hohner Traveling Roadshow and his affable er,” commented Drew Lewis, product man- approach to harmonica playing and teaching ager for Hohner Harmonicas. “Attendees will is informed by nearly two decades of experi- experience amazing harmonica music per- ence, beginning as a young adult. formances, participate in a group harmonica “My father purchased a starter harmonica lesson, receive harmonica repairs and servic- President and CEO of the Hohner company. for himself when I was about 20 years old. I ing, participate in games of chance to win “Our goals are to spread the joy of making remember picking it up after he had a short free prizes and, they will have the oppor- music, teach people to play this wonderful go with it. I learned Oh Susanna which tunity to touch and play unique and exotic instrument and to strengthen and grow the harmonicas. Continued on page 9 7 HOHNER Gives Back he story of HOHNER is written by the people who play our instruments. Throughout it’s history, the HOHNER company has strived to make music accessible to everyone, especially those in need. Each and every one of us at HOHNER is proud to take part in this legacy Tof giving back and saying thank you. This year we are happy to continue that tradition by sharing the joy of making music with many more people around the world. Here are a few of their stories...

Music is the Universal Language my mouth, guess what I can’t see? My har- who witnessed you today are now life-long Margie Goldsmith visited a remote tribal monica.” fans of the blues. This is how the music village in the Virunga Mountains of Ugan- “Just seeing the spark ignite in each stu- is passed from generation to generation. da, bearing gifts from HOHNER. dent…. It’s really nice seeing them find Thanks again for doing your part in keep- that niche interest, and they just go with ing the blues alive.” said Andrew Dewey, a it,” Accessible Arts Executive Director Diana teacher at CVHS. Bryant said. Burmese Refugee Children in Texas Hohner Donates To Fort Hood Kids A Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session Hohner recently donated Hohner Kids™ brought joy to dozens of Burmese refugee Musical Toys in support of the Play Com- children in Houston Texas. Many of the chil- forts program serving military families. Toy dren did not speak English - and none of Industry Foundation Manager Marisa Me- them had ever seen or heard a harmonica. dina had this to say: Nevertheless, all of the children giggled with excitement as HOHNER endorsee Gary Allegretto put on a harmonica concert for “With the support of HOHNER and gifts them followed by a lesson on their Hohner- for the Batwa children, I began to play har- donated harmonicas. monica to communicate in tongues I didn’t Thrilled and eager to learn, they intently fol- speak. Music is the universal language. I lowed along and swiftly learned to play the played a boogie-woogie and by the third songs. It was a successful and joyous event bar, they’re clapping loud, swaying, and that the children will never forget. tapping their feet on the ground. When I Phoenix Children’s Hospital finish, they broke out into huge smiles and applauded.” A Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital brought Kansas school for the blind healing joy to over a dozen children and HOHNER endorsee, author and educator their families. It was a fun and raucous Phil Duncan provided a harmonica session session starting with a concert in which for students at the Kansas State School for “Thank you for helping us deliver the magic HOHNER Artist Gary Allegretto played and the Blind. of play to children in need, including those the children sang along. in military families. We couldn’t do this wonderful work without you, and hope you know how much we appreciate your sup- port. The families we serve certainly appre- ciate it, too.” Blues Harmonica In The Schools With a grant from HOHNER, Inc., endorsee Gary Allegretto took his Blues Harmonica in the Schools program to Carnegie Vanguard High School. The students were riveted for “This is an ear instrument…” said Phil, over an hour as he engaged their interest helping students figure out how to hold through live performance and insights into Afterwards all attendees were amazed the harmonica correctly. “I can’t see it any Blues history - followed by teaching them at the speed and accuracy in which they more than you can, because when it’s in to effectively play four Blues songs. learned to play four songs on their new “I am confident that several of the students Hohner-donated instruments. 8 | EASY REEDING good on the road. We just finished a West Coast tour and that was wonderful. Now I’ll go home for a few days then Willie’s doing another Austin City Limits taping, so I’ll go to Austin for a few days and then we’ll start the next tour. So what’s it like working with Willie Nel- Continued from page 3 son? I think recording with Paul would be fun and challenging. Anybody. ... I just love M.R.: He’s a great guy and a wonderful being in the studio. Willie Nelson and Mickey Raphael on tour boss. He’s kind of a benevolent dicta- be creative because you’re sort of under tor. He doesn’t really tell anybody what Do you prefer the studio to playing live? the gun because you’re under somewhat to do, but he gives you enough rope to of a time constraint. hang yourself. And that’s a lot of rope. His M.R.: I kind of do. I mean, I like a little bit You’ve been playing with Willie Nelson idea is just to have people he’s comfort- of both, but the studio is everlasting. Once since 1973. That’s more than 40 years. Do able with around him and to make music. you play it, it’s there forever. A show, once you get tired of being on the road? We’re just winging it. We’re creating. It’s you play, it it’s gone immediately except in different every day. He doesn’t play the the minds of fans. In the studio, you make M.R.: I do, but it’s pretty civil. We’re doing songs the same every night. an imprint and you have to get it right and two weeks on and two weeks off. So life is www.mickeyraphael.com

MEET THE interaction was also key to my musical de- lar Hohner harmonica models so that they RING MASTER velopment.” can begin to decide which one suits them Ronnie’s role in the Roadshow is multifacet- best based on their playing style and pref- Continued from page 7 ed. In addition to performing at each event, erences. We discuss the differences in ma- terials, construction, playability, and tuning. was the song that was included on the tiny he leads attendees in a group harmonica I also want folks to have an opportunity to piece of paper that came with the harmoni- lesson, discusses playing techniques, gives hear the various harmonicas back to back ca. I spent a couple of weeks master- pointers on how to produce different kinds so they can detect the tonal differ- ing the melody. I had a very positive ences from model to model.” and enjoyable first experience with the instrument. “Attendees will also have an op- portunity to bring a few of their At that time, I was going to school in own harmonicas that need a tune Austin and I was getting a heavy dose up or repair work. There is always of blues which eventually pushed me a Hohner free reed technician at to want to learn how to play blues each show to offer up repair work harmonica. I spent many days press- at no cost. I spend about an hour ing my ear to the speaker as I listened and half in front of the group dis- over and over to classic blues har- cussing differences between various monica until it began to click. I was Hohner harmonica models, perform- also fortunate early on to live with ing, demonstrating the models, and other musicians. That allowed me to teaching some basics to get started practice and jam with real live people, playing. This is a great opportunity not just jam tracks or solo playing and this of tonality on different models and discuss- for folks to ask their own questions, or es which harmonicas are best for specific perhaps a technical question on playing styles of playing. “While each Roadshow the harmonica. Everybody who attends re- is unique, there are some things that re- ceives a free 10-hole diatonic harmonica, main consistent at each show. When they and some really cool free giveaways such first get to the event, attendees can browse as t-shirts, hats, harmonica belt packs etc. I the display models and test them out right try to do my best to cater to the average of there. One of the goals is to educate folks the group that is present. Adults and kids of on the differences between the most popu- Continued on page 11 9 the reed and reed plate and gently lift the tip of the reed using short strokes (see photo below).

Continued from page 4 In terms of harmonica function, response can be determined by how well a reed travels through a reed slot when a given amount of air pressure is applied. For good response the entirety of the reed should enter the slot all at once or at least rivet side slightly before the tip. If the tip of the reed is the first to enter the slot, the response will be poor. Optimizing reed travel to match a player’s personal technique involves adjusting a reed’s gap and curve. Do not to overdo it. Make very small changes. Repeat the A gap, also called an offset, is the distance between the tip of process as many times as necessary to form a good curve and a reed and the reed slot when the reed is at rest. Every reed desired gap. Make very small bends to the reed each time. needs some gap. If the reed is flush or almost flush with the Pluck the reed occasionally to allow it to settle into its natural reed slot, chances are it will not sound at all. shape. More adjustment may be necessary after plucking if the proper curve or gap is not evident when the reed comes to rest. On any particular harmonica, the gap varies from reed to reed. As a general rule, the thickness of any particular reed at the tip While you are shaping the reed into the proper curve, be con- determines the proper offset between that reed and the reed scious of the size of your gap. Adjustments on both gap and plate. Therefore, the lower pitched, thicker reeds need more off- curve should happen simultaneously. At this stage you want set. Gradually, as reeds get thinner and the pitches get higher, your gap staying within the general rules of gapping outlined the gap diminishes. above. For optimum reed response at softer breath pressure you want When you have the gap and curve set, test the response. Place smaller gaps. Harder pressure means larger gaps. the reed plates on the comb, holding them tightly together – as airtight as you can manage. Blow or draw into the harmonica Before you begin to make your gap adjustments, make sure your with the same breath pressure you would use in a real life situa- reed has a proper curve (see below). Ideally, the rivet end of the tion. Consistency is key. A consistently gapped harmonica plays reed should be flat and almost flush with the reed plate. From a better and is more durable. third of the way from the rivet end and continuing to the tip, the reed should curve slightly upwards and away from the reed slot. If the reed sounds weak or airy the gap is too large. Decrease it This shape is called reed curvature or reed profile. The space by using your finger or a pick to press the area of the reed from between the tip of the reed and the reed slot is the gap. the rivet end to the halfway point down toward the reed slot. Make small changes. Do not to apply too much pressure all at once.

To adjust the reed gap and curve you need a short, stiff file and your finger or thumb. If you do not have the right type of file, HOHNER offers it as part of a service kit containing tools for If the reed doesn’t sound at all the gap might be too small. In- gapping and other common repairs. You can order it from the crease the gap and the curvature of the reed by sliding your file Hohner Parts & Service Center. between the reed and the reed slot and lifting the reed slightly. During either adjustment pluck the reed occasionally to deter- mine where the reed will come to rest. Be careful of going too far in either direction. The objective is to find the gap that is just right for you. First disassemble your harmonica. Remove the reed plates from the comb. Set your gaps by adjusting the curvature of the reed. In the end, the Hohner technician increased the gaps on Wal- Look at the reed from the side. If there is very little or no curve, ter’s reeds and Walter was more than satisfied. “I could never you need to make one. Place your finger over the rivet third play this harmonica and now I can. Thank you HOHNER!” of the reed and press down lightly. Slip the stiff file between

10 | EASY REEDING 2 Important Harp Guy (who also will remain MEET THE nameless, ‘cause HE’s a nice guy.) He played RING MASTER some chromatic but couldn’t cut it either. Continued from page 9 Now they’re really in a bind. Utterly desper- with Jim Hoke ate and out of options, they do something all ages are welcome to attend. Another really screwball - they call the guy who Continued from page 4 goal is to help folks get started making played the part in the first place - ME! So music right away on the harmonica, and Therefore, sometimes the writers would en- I went in and had to listen to it and tran- I give them tips to develop good habits courage experimentation and weirdness. It scribe what I’d played a year ago, as I’d to- early on. Lastly, we want folks to have a was in this spirit of looseness that I ended tally forgotten it. up playing chromatic harmonica on a song The song came out and became the first called “There Is No Arizona”. I did my low- (and only) number one country song to rent Stevie impersonation. feature chromatic harp. In the wake of this About a year later I get a call: “Are you songs’ success, I got lots of calls to play the guy who played the harmonica on the chromatic for a few years after. Then even- demo of “There Is No Arizona”? “Uh, yeah, tually they forgot about it and went back I kinda remember that”. They wanted me to the Joan Jett-with-a-steel-stuck-on ar- to come to the studio to play it again for rangement formula. the “real” version I used a CX12 chro- by Jamie O’Neil. Like The song came out and matic in the key of right now. They’d got- became the first (and only) B, which I chose ten down to the last “ for the availability minute before mixing number one country song of half-step grace time. Why the rush? to feature chromatic harp. notes into certain Typical Nashville: notes of the melody. When they decided to have Jamie cut the I carry chromatics in the keys of C and B. It’s song (on the basis of the demo) music biz all I need to cover funky keys. i.e. in the key wisdom told them it wouldn’t do to use of E there aren’t many adjacent scale tones the second-or-third rate demo musicians - that can be played without changing wind they needed nothing less than the exalted direction (it’s a lot of in-out-in-out. Not as first-call cats. Must preserve the pecking smooth as in-in-in from note to note.) So for order, right? The boys in charge went one a song in E I might grab the B harp, which step further - that’s a chromatic harmonica, puts me in F position - much mo’ better. For right? Let’s get Stevie Wonder to play it! (I a song in A I might use the B harp to be in found all this out after the fact.) Bb position. That said, “Isn’t She Lovely” is in E and if you were to play it on an F harp, Well Stevie never returned their calls. Hmm, you’d lose most of the half-step grace notes great time and simply get excited about what to do? They called the Most Important that are a big part of Stevie’s style. the instrument. Studio Harp Guy (who shall remain name- less, ‘cause I’m a nice guy). He went in and – Jim Hoke The broad appeal of the harmonica to fell on his face. Then they called Mr. Number people of all types is likely due to the http://www.jimhokemusic.com/ portability, affordability, and the fact that all you have to do is blow and suck to get it going. Experimenting with sounds, is a common approach to teaching one- pleasure, and education on the various rhythm or searching out melodies by ear self and the harmonica makes it fairly Hohner models now offered. Since it's easy for anyone to do this. Most people a group experience, it makes for a safe have a harmonica somewhere in their place to have your first experience playing home which eventually leads to the cu- a simple scale or rhythm without the fear riosity of how to play it. So, I think that's of being judged.” another reason folks are coming out. It's Everyone is welcome to attend so grab not until you hear somebody play the in- your harp, grab a friend, and come on strument live to its full potential, that you down! The Hohner Harmonica Travelling really start getting excited about learn- Roadshow is traveling across the country ing to play it. These Roadshows provide to a town near you. Don’t miss it! the perfect balance of learning, listening 11 new

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