The blues harp

Harmonicas have a character all their own. Bluesy. Gritty. Rough, yet sweet.

The sound is controlled with the breath and facial muscles, very much like the classical wind instruments, but not. Maybe more like the sax, particularly the sax as played by the great Louis Armstrong, sailing on a stream of emotion as narrow as a breath and wide as life.

The harmonica has always been one of my favorites. So small it can fit in a pocket yet every bit as powerful as an electric guitar when the bluesman is wailing above the band on a live microphone.

This particular piece is now in the collection of a remarkable blues player… and right now I’m really feeling the urge to make a new one.