HURRAH! for the mouth harp.

The humble harmonica, one of the most underrated prog. musical instruments of all.

Who do you consider are the great exponents of the harmonica in prog. music?

Two that spring to mind are:

Don van Vliet, Captain Beefheart

Gary Brooker, Procol Harum

I'm not that keen on harmonica, so I have no submission....sorry!

Anyway...its a mouth organ isn't it?

jonirob wrote: Snow Dog wrote: I'm not that keen on harmonica, so I have no submission....sorry!   Anyway...its a mouth organ isn't it? Yes it is a mouth organ too, but to members of a certain age it will always be a mouth harp.

Well, you don't blow through a harp, and what certain ages?

Harp was certainly the term favoured by blues musicians - check out Beefheart's Gimme Dat Harp Boy. While I would agree it's an under valued instrument, it's never been used much in prog, despite the way it crops up in some surprising places, such as:

• Can - Outside My Door
• Kraftwerk - Harmonika
• Tangerine Dream - one track on Stratosfear that I can't remember off the top of my head
• Zappa - More Trouble Every Day
• Jethro Tull - A New Day Yesterday

Ian Anderson is probably the progger who has made most extensive use of the instrument, mainly during Tull's more blues influenced early days, but he still sometimes whips it out to this day.

More recently, Talk Talk employed the services of British harmonica ace Mark Feltham (of 9 Below Zero fame), while ex Medicine Head man and all round Great British Eccentric Peter Hope Evans is something of a fixture on Pete Townshend's solo work. Peter Blegvad's solo albums also feature a fair bit of harp, usually played by Phil Shaw.

The harmonica is one of those instruments that's very easy to play badly, but in the hands of a true master it can be highly expressive despite its limitations. Maybe we should campaign for more prog harmonica solos - they'd certainly add something to Dream Theater's work.

In addition to "A New Day Yesterday," Jethro Tull's "Someday the Sun Won't Shine for You" and "Taxi Grab" also have sweet harmonica parts.

Funny, you should mention it, because I happen to play the instrument! It's hard not to have fun when playing the harmonica.

However, as far as harmonica players go, no one can beat the blues men. If you want to hear some MEAN harmonica playing, listen to Blues Traveler, and, to gain some credibility points for mentioning bluesmen no one with a life has ever heard of (always a plus in the blues crowd), try Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson.

Jack Bruce from Cream is also a harmonica virtuoso. Try "Traintime," "Spoonful," and "Rollin' and Tumblin'." You might also like John Mayall if you like Cream.

BaldJean wrote: M. B. Zapelini wrote: He didn't played much harp...But Tim Blake (GONG) does a fantastic job with a harmonica in "Where Have All th Flowers Gone" ("Gong Live Etc."). I totally agree to that

I was sure that you would agree with me!

Not a sound I really get on with. It makes me think of Bob Dylan, whose music is like fingernails on a blackboard to me..

Thats said, the intro to 'Paper Blood' by ELP from the 'Black Moon' uses a 'harmonica' and that sounds quite good. Possibly because it's short and leads to a good song.

Snow Dog wrote: ^ Is it harmonica or synth? Anyway, Steve Hackett plays Harmonica on his non prog album " Blues with a Feeling"

I assumed it was a harmonica! I'll have to listen more carefully and check the sleeve notes. Maybe it is a synth. I cant imagine any of them struggling to play a harmonica, I would be dissapointed if Emerson just used a bloody Korg workstation or something...

Steve Hackett's quite good on harmonica- I've heard live versions of 'Camino Royale' where he plays some great bluesy solos on it.

Not prog, but Canned Heat's 'On The Road Again' featured some great playing.