Monday, March 03, 2014

Harmonica

ABC Wednesday
The letter is H for Harmonica

Sometimes known as a mouth organ, the Harmonica is a free wind instrument used notably in the blues, American Folk music, jazz, country and rock and roll.

Although it may seem a simple instrument to those who pick it up and play a simple tune its construction is really quite sophisticated.  The varieties of Harmonicas are numerous and it has an interesting history, beginning in Vienna at the beginning of the 19th century.

The music produced by an artist and master of the harmonica is quite spellbinding.  Well, to me, anyway, who cannot perceive of making such glorious music with a tongue and puffs of air!


For more interesting takes on H visit here, at ABC Wednesday, with thanks to Roger and Dennis
 and all who help.





15 comments:

Rajesh said...

It is delightful to hear the tunes.

Susan Moore said...

Bravo!! That was extraordinary harmonica playing, thank you for the concert!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I'm loving your music theme more and more each letter. (I really missed the flower ones from last round at first, but am getting more and more into the music.)

photowannabe said...

I had no idea that the harmonica got it's start in Vienna.
Never could play the thing myself.
It mystifies me.

Reader Wil said...

What a great musician! Thank you for choosing this musical post for us!
Wil, ABCW Team

Leslie: said...

It's lots of fun to play with a harmonica, but when you hear it played properly and well, it's a tru delight.

Leslie
abcw team

ellen b. said...

Fun post for the letter H! We have a couple of harmonicas around...

Carver said...

I love good harmonica. Great choice. Carver, ABCW Team

Roger Owen Green said...

Stevie Wonder is a great harmonica player.
ROG, ABCW

Trubes said...

What an eerie yet captivating sound the Harmonica has.
I believe there is a National Harmonica Orchestra in Japan.
When I was a youngster there was achap, who was very popular in the UK, called Larry Adler, he was a very good player, I think he may have been American.
thank you for a most interesting story,
Di.x

Hazel said...

I remember being sooo fascinated watching for the first time a man play the harmonica. I wanted my Mom to buy me a "toy like that!"

Joy said...

Stunning, what a beautiful tone he has, a real virtuoso performance. Genevieve has never sounded better.
Joy - ABC Team

uberrhund said...

Wonderful and fun post for letter "H"!

Louisette said...

I love harmonica, memory childhood.
Have a nice weekend
✿•*¨`*•. (¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯) .•*¨`*•✿ ✿•*¨`*•.¸( ¯`v´¯)¸.•´ *¨`*•✿ ..♥♥ •.¸.•´♥♥..

Happy Day all women world.
✿•*¨`*•. (¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯) .•*¨`*•✿ ✿•*¨`*•.¸( ¯`v´¯)¸.•´ *¨`*•✿ ..♥♥ •.¸.•´♥♥..

Dimple said...

Amazing! I didn't know the harmonica had such a distinguished history, or that it had ever been used to make this sort of music.

I'm glad I came by: I read a mention of hellebores on another blog, and it reminded me of you.

Blessings!