Re: [Harp-L] Looking for new inspiration

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

drori hammer wrote:
> For many years I have listened to all the traditional blues harp 
> players (as well as modern-day blues traditionalists), but I feel 
> I want to hear what the "cutting edge" of diatonic harmonica 
> players are doing. Can anyone suggest some good albums (or 
> downloads) where I can hear good "modern" diatonic playing (E.G - 
> use of overblows, different positions etc.). I have been listening 
> a LOT lately to "Satan and Adam" and Carlos Del Junco,  but I`d 
> like to hear others as well

Okay, I know it's been said a thousand times, but here it is again: 
Listen to something besides harmonica players for inspiration.  Now, 
I'll admit I was turned on by folks like Carlos del Junco playing 
the music I love on harmonica in a way I hadn't imagined or didn't 
think possible, but the real inspiration for me came in trying to 
play non-harmonica music on harmonica.  

I started playing with a jazz quartet a couple of years ago, and 
nothing pushed my capabilities as much as that.  One of the things I 
look forward to most in learning a new piece now is finding the harp 
key/tuning/position that best works with the melody and improv 
sections of a jazz piece, then coming up with an arrangement.  There 
is no "formula" for what will work best, so I find myself trying all 
manner of different things until I'm satisfied.  Even when I have 
something that "works", I'll keep trying it other ways. 

There are some good sources for "real" jazz, if you want to just 
browse: I love to tun into XM radio channel 70.  When I lived in the 
Dallas, TX, area I used to listen to the radio station from the 
University of North Texas (which has an outstanding music school).  
Now that I've moved away, I listen to them online: 
http://www.kntu.org/universal/playlists/kntulive.asx

Put on the jazz station, grab a set of harps (better take a full 
set, since everythings not in E, A or G -- lots of "horn keys": Bb, 
Eb, Ab), and just play along.  Then go find yourself an open-minded 
jazz band that will let you sit in.

-tim