Monthly Archives: December 2009

Octaving The Blues On Harmonica

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Wilf

Putting double-barreled blues harp into your playing As a journeyman blues harp player listening to the experts, there were moments when those guys hit what I call the tickle spot and I shuddered with pleasure. For years I just couldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints And Tips | 2 Comments

London Harmonicas

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Elwood

Last Wednesday Elwood the Apprentice attended a year-end performance with London Harmonicas, the informal collective that meets every other Tuesday at The Torriano Pub (7.15pm for beginners, 8pm for intermediates). What he saw was a glorious vision for the socialist … Continue reading →

Posted in Apprenticeship Series, Gig Reviews | 1 Comment

Merry Christmas from the Harp Surgery

Posted on December 24, 2009 by The Captain

Not Now, Arthur! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little bit of Morecambe and Wise, so here’s a tribute to classic comedy.. and a forgotten harmonica hero. Arthur Tolcher was born in Staffordshire in 1922, and his family theatrical history … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

Beefing Up Those Bends – 2 Draw

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Wilf

Holy Diatonic Batman! Elwood The Apprentice had just finished wrapping his last set of replacement reed plates for Christmas when from somewhere downstairs… Zap! Wh@ck, WhÃ¥p, B#ff,  BiÆ’f, P*w, Zôwie, Spl@tt, Tºot.. He ran to the Good Doctor’s study.. Holy Diatonic Batman! … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Reed Bending | 1 Comment

Win a Voucher for Seydel Söhne Harmonicas

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Wilf

[Note: competition now closed.] Harps down, heads up! Our lovely friends at Seydel Söhne are offering you the chance to win an e-voucher to the tune of €30.00 (US residents $40.00). If you submit three correct answers to our quiz … Continue reading →

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Santa Lucia on Harmonica [with tab..]

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Wilf

Se, pÃ¥ vÃ¥r tröskel stÃ¥r, vitklädd med ljus i hÃ¥r, Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. This sentimental melody originated in 19th Century Naples as a barcarolle or ‘boatman’s song’ and was popularised in the 20th Century by the great Neapolitan Tenor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tab | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Junior Wells

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Elwood

The Hoodoo Man would be 75 today. Harmonica great Junior Wells was born December 9th 1934. It’s remarkable to think that someone who played with Muddy Waters in the early days would have been so young today (he was 19 … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Apprenticeship Series | 4 Comments

Introduction to Sonny Boy II Harmonica Technique

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Wilf

Don’t start me talking, I’ll tell you everything I know Elwood reminded folks at the Harp Surgery it’s the anniversary of Sonny Boy II’s birthday this week. How about we tab out one of his monster tracks? he suggested. The … Continue reading →

Posted in How Do They Do That?, Tab | 16 Comments