[Harp-L] RE: Juke Joint tricks



There is some great video of SBII doing just what you describe from one of the European blues festival videos (or maybe it's on a bootleg but I think that material is now in official release). He starts out playing normally, then finishes the tune with the harp in the side of his mouth while snapping his fingers. Basically he's just chording at that point as you'd expect off the low end of the harp.
Back in the 70s I did see 50s Sun recording artist Harmonica Frank Floyd play most of a set with a harp stuck in the side of his mouth while playing guitar and singing. Pretty primitive but it worked for his rough old-timey style, and I guess it was cheaper than buying a rack. He also would pull out a second harp and play one with his nose while the other one was in his jaw. Not sophisticated but it was a crowd pleaser, for sure.
For other showmanship, I remember seeing Paul Oscher with Muddy Waters circa 1971 doing an instrumental with the band and at one point in the tune punctuating a phrase by either throwing a cap (as in cap gun, not capacitor) or a little firecracker down during the tune.
Cathal Mog wrote:


I remember reading that Sonny Boy (II) used to play the harp without hands,
by sticking it in his mouth like a cigar. How he did this with any success
eludes me. Can anyone do it?
also I read in The Land Where the Blues Began about a harmonica player who
played with his nose and mouth. Anybody know how to do this without sounding
and looking silly?
Thanks in advance,






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