Then I have to almost go into defensive mode and explain that, yes, the harmonica is a real instrument.
At this point they're still usually giving me "that look" - you know the one, the look that says uh-huh, what a silly little instrument...
Then I pull a Hohner Big River Harp out of my left pocket (I always keep the key of A handy) and ask them to go ahead and play it. They always decline. Or they stop playing as quickly as they started.
I started playing harmonica in late 1996, mostly because I can't play guitar. Nope, I can't hit a single lick of guitar. I can't get my hand around the neck comfortably, so playing guitar was just out of the question. Every time I tried, I found myself wanting to strangle the goddam thing. In my mid teens I was really getting into Aerosmith. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of theirs, and to prove it just ask to see the picture of them in my wallet, and the middle of the 90s was when I was really getting into their music. And at that point there was already twenty years worth to discover.
Anyway, I was at this little used CD store that had some beat up records for fifty cents each, and I managed to snag a copy of the first Aerosmith LP - the one with the mis-spelled "Walkin' The Dig" on the back. There's a tune on that one called "One Way Street" that has some sweet harmonica parts all through it. After just one listen, I decided I would teach myself to play it.
My first harmonica was given to me by my friend Angie. It sounded weird. Turns out it was the type used in marching bands. Now that's totally rock n' roll. I ended up acquiring a Hohner Blues Harp that just so happened to be in the key of A and played that fucker until it eventually fell apart. It really did fall apart. At one point I kept it held together with an elastic band. I loved that harp so much. When I replaced it, the new one never sounded quite the same.
I taught myself how to play, but bought a book to reference how to cross-harp and play along with all those silly guitarists. I still have very fond memories of jamming with Steve and Rich in Polson Park field. We tried so hard to sound Stones-ish. It was totally bad.
On my new album, I'm playing a lot of harmonica. I'm getting better harp sounds than I've ever had before. Damn, it's great to be inspired. Listen for it on "Menage A Moi" and "Dirty Blooze". Your ears will have a hohner-gasm.
And that's that. Next time you see someone playing harmonica - and I mean really playing it, not some guitar player who has a harp around their neck with a brace... I loathe that - get to know them a little better. They're using their lips and tongue, and harp players are scientifically proven to be better lovers.
Peace.
