Projecting

[Cinnamon Reive <coolrays@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I attend an Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA every August and play in ensembles that always includes fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar. Except for guitar, all of these instruments are much louder than the harmonica. I'd like to hear some tips from y'all about projecting the harp in such situations. I know guys like Doug Tate and Robert Bonfiglio are especially good at doing this. I also know it's not just about blowing harder. There are techniques for doing this just as there are for actors in theater. Of course I could take a battery-operated Pignose along but at this convention I'd be tarred and feathered just prior to being burned at the stake.

The guys I play with have no genre boundaries and play Zepplin, Sinatra, Green Day, old swing standards, etc., etc. as well as fiddle tunes. It's the most fun I've ever had playing music. I have several millionaire songwriter friends here in Nashville but when we get together we talk about music. In Galax, we play music.

I've spent much time in the past 30 years studying and mastering the likes of Little Walter, Sonny Boy's, Butterfield, Magic Dick, Charlie McCoy, Norton Buffalo and just about anybody else that put out a record with harp on it. I have to say though that the most challenging harp I've ever done is learning fiddle tunes. They're not hard melodies to learn but playing them at speed with accuracy is extremely challenging. 

Anyway, I'd like to hear your suggestions for projecting the harp.

Thanks

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