Yvonnick Prene joins me on episode 117.Yvonnick was born in France and has been resident in New York for seventeen years after first moving to the city to study at the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music.He started out playing blues and jazz on the diatonic and took lessons with some of the great French players, before focusing his attention playing jazz on the chromatic.Yvonnick is a bandleader and has released seven albums under his own name as well as numerous sessions as a sideman.He also runs the New Harmonica School in New York and the excellent online tutorial website My Harmonica Studio, as well as numerous tutorial books.Yvonnick is also the face of Hohner’s new Xpression chromatic harmonica.Links:Website:https://www.yvonnickprene.com/Tuition website:https://www.myharmonicastudio.com/Henriksen amplifiers:https://www.henriksenamplifiers.com/Videos:Yvonnick’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRked2IhFUqTf92SHisizQYvonnick Prene & Manual Rocheman:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O-y3YLahwYSlim Shady song:https://youtu.be/y6mgIJH6_EYNew York Harmonica School:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcwEprk6rJ8Triste from Jobim’s World album:https://youtu.be/nlztkwCXeKUPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

Isabella Krapf joins me on episode 116.Isabella is from Vienna, Austria, where she started teaching and performing concerts in her late teens and has had a career in the harmonica ever since.Isabella is a collector of harmonicas and puts on exhibitions. She played a part in keeping the Seydel factory in business when it was looking for new investors in the early 2000s, by ordering 1000 ‘boomerang’ harmonicas.In 2011 Isabella was asked to visit North Korea to teach groups of music students there to play harmonica. A group later visited Austria and performed some concerts in Europe under her guidance.Isabella also got to know Jerry Adler towards the end of his life and compiled an album for him and played in a concert with him and Howard Levy in 2006.Links:Website: https://www.isabellakrapf.com/Videos:Boomerang harmonica:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n7hfbd9BQ0North Korean ensemble at Trossingen in 2013:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCoL33Y0-24North Korean group playing at Bristol in 2012:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dI7k5s0uVwThe Bossa Nova Company:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uujLkY_iCfoPablo Fegundas:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=792673521775393HUK virtual workshop:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1LjuOwqaicHistorical diatonic video:https://www.facebook.com/denise.uthoff.3/videos/1020566385917951Podcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

Pat Missin joins me on episode 115.Pat’s knowledge about the harmonica is unsurpassed, with his website at patmissin.com, a definitive source of information for over twenty years. He gives us an insight into some of this knowledge, starting with how free reed instruments were the predecessor of the harmonica and the questionable history of who actually invented the harmonica as we know it today. We also discuss various harmonica recording firsts, such as the first blues harmonica song recorded, the first second and third position and chromatic recording. Pat was also one of the earlier leading exponents on exploring harmonica tuning schemes and has released some song books for harmonica as well as some on other free reed instruments.Links:Website: https://patmissin.com/Free reed instrument history:https://patmissin.com/history/history.htmlHarmonica collection:https://patmissin.com/gallery/gallery.htmlTunings:https://patmissin.com/tunings/tunings.htmlVintage harmonica recordings:https://www.patmissin.com/78rpm/78rpm.htmlHarmonica reviews:https://patmissin.com/index1.htmlMagazine articles:https://www.patmissin.com/articles/articles.htmlRoger Trobridge’s Harmonica Archivist site:http://www.the-archivist.co.uk/Videos:Pat playing at the NHL festival in 1999:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKOBtWLuV7EPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

Seth Shumate joins me on episode 114.Seth is an Old Timey and pre-war harmonica player originally from Arkansas, now living in Tennessee. Seth has deeply researched the early history of the harmonica and has written an Old Time Harmonica Handbook which contains lots of great information, as well as techniques on how to play authentic Old Timey harmonica using various tongue blocking techniques to add percussive rhythm and to provide self-accompaniment while also playing the melody of the tune. Seth likes to play acoustically, making use of an Edison phonograph cylinder for amplification, and accompanying himself using bones and other instruments, and he’s recently acquired the Masterharp USA tuning table company.Seth plays with The Ozark Highballers band and releases regular videos to his YouTube channel of his playing.Links:Contact Seth: seth.shumate@googlemail.comSoundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/seth-shumateFacebook group: Harmonica Country, Bluegrass, Rock & CelticVideos:YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrSFmT4zFksy1YRKGVJSfhgSeth playing Turkey In The Straw with Edison Horn:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s9obWRYkEITupelo Blues played with bones:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrSFmT4zFksy1YRKGVJSfhgDave Rice Old Timey album:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9g13kPvKhaMrGaHI8RdBYWvmWOHzeV75Seth YouTube Interview and playing:https://youtu.be/1As3CbgL9ugPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

Andre Godoy Coelho, harmonica customisation expert, joins Brendan Power to discuss their x-reed harmonica range. They explore harmonica customization, the development of the Morbendz diatonic harmonica with increased bends, and the possibilities of playing chromatically with bends. The podcast also delves into their musical backgrounds, collaborations, and innovative pedal creations for harmonicas.

Harmonica group Svang join me on episode 112.Svang are a harmonica quartet from Finland, who have been performing and recording for over twenty years now. They first formed in 2003 when Jouko was teaching at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and suggested forming a harmonica group with two of his students.The group doesn’t play the typical harmonicas of a harmonica group, with a harmonetta used instead of a chord, and bluesy diatonics used as part of the sound alongside chromatic.Their repertoire includes folk music from Finland and the rest of the world, but is equally influenced by classical music or Finnish tango. They have released ten albums to date, with the latest, Svang Nuevo coming out in 2024 to celebrate their 20 year anniversary. Links:Website: https://www.svang.fi/Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/svangharmonicaConcerts:https://www.svang.fi/concertsGalileo Music: (to buy their albums)https://www.galileomusic.de/katalogsuche.aspxVideos:YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SvangHarmonicaQuartetAppearance on Jools Holland BBC TV show:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwEkbFHpLTcPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

In this podcast, harmonica players discuss their 10-minute practice routines, sharing insights on musical style development, harmonica techniques for beginners, various approaches to practice, and essential practice strategies. They emphasize the importance of mastering techniques, exploring different styles, and finding your groove in music. The episode concludes with reflections on interviews and a musical finale.

Something a little different for episode 110 (and also episode 111 so I can keep the length around the one hour mark).The next two episodes are a compilation of all the ten minute question answers from the series so far, in this, the 110th episode (get it?)Not every episode had a ten minute question, such as the retrospectives, but most did, 96 in fact.So I hope you enjoy listening back to this collection and apply some of the tips and tricks offered by the great players who have been on the podcast so far. I’ll say the name of each person before they respond to the question: “if you had 10 minutes to practise, what would you spend that ten minutes doing”.Podcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

Clint Hoover joins me on episode 109.Clint is originally from Minneapolis and has spent a life immersed in music and the harmonica. He’s reached great heights on both the chromatic and the diatonic. Early on he also studied guitar and saxophone and attended a jazz course in New York City where he also took chromatic lessons from Robert Bonfiglio. His eclectic mix of interests has led him to recording albums in genres from pre-war blues to modern jazz, to rock, pop and World Music. His first recorded album was with a mainstream band called The Fontanas back in 1989, with the album release being delayed for thirty four years, coming out in 2023. In-between he’s released jazz albums, jug band music, rock and more, really showcasing his extraordinary talents on both the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas.Links:Website:https://clinthoover.com/Clint article: ‘My Harmonica Journey’:https://clinthoover.com/a-harmonica-journey/Richard Hunter interview with Clint:https://www.hunterharp.com/hoover1/The Fontanas album: https://blackberrywayrecords.com/album/2566074/the-fontanasVideos:Clint’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE7io6uwgGzsOBpanupYdBgLes Thompson performing live:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlLGjO8MzpUGet Up Off That Jazzophone:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23VJPJeakJISister Sadie:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQG1sHJedgYPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS--------------------------------Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.comSupport the show

Roly Platt joins me on episode 108.Roly is a Canadian player who has recorded countless sessions over his 45 year career. He started out playing in a country band which set the scene for him playing a diverse range of genres throughout that time. Roly has recorded 1700 individual session cuts, with the numerous bands he has played in, and also various film, tv and commercial jingles.Roly ecorded his own album in 2017, Inside Out, where he showcased his versatility by including a range of different types of song.Roly produced and sells the great Harp Wah harmonica mute and later this year he will be releasing a book about his life with the harmonica.Links:Roly’s main website:https://www.harmonicamute.comOther website:https://rolyplatt.com/The Book - pre-order:https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/i-play-harmonica-book-preorder/Roly’s harmonica workshops:https://www.harmonicamute.com/2-hour-harmonica-workshops-prerecorded/Roly’s gear reviews:https://www.harmonicamute.com/gear-reviews/Ross Garden interview with Jimmie Fadden:http://www.rossgarren.com/jimmie-fadden.htmlVideos:With Matt Minglewood:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbXuNtkxTSYInside Out album interview:https://rolyplatt.com/canadian-harmonica-player-roly-platt-talks-debut-cd-inside.htmlIt Ain’t Right:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx0NOq5ma5QToronto Blue Jays theme song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTGDF0dc5T0New Orleans Funk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPljRQKt59oPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASSupport the show