HARMONICA BLUES

"Blues is Life and Life is Blues"

Harmonica Blues refers to any style of blues where the harmonica plays a central figure. Although the harmonica was present in many country-blues recordings, it became a dominant force in the '50s, when it was amplified by the likes of Big Walter Horton, Little Walter and Junior Wells. The powerful sound of a miked harmonica became an instantly recognizable element of Electric Blues, particularly Chicago Blues.

Although who was the first bluesman to blow his harp into a cheap microphone plugged into an equally cheap public address system and distorting it beyond belief will be forever lost to history, the artist who made the genre known as Electric Harmonica Blues come to life was none other than {Little Walter Jacobs.} Its greatest single innovator, greatest selling artist, and the wellspring of the entire genre, {Walter's} tone became the sound to emulate and his legacy has persisted in defining the sound and style of the genre decades after his death. Not unlike {Charlie Parker's} shadow in modern jazz and {Hank Williams, Sr.} in country, {Walter's} influence has so saturated the genre that it has only been in the last decade or so that new players have turned to the other geniuses of the form (most notably {Walter Horton}) for inspiration, finding new and innovative ways to express themselves on this humble instrument. 
~ Cub Koda

Chicago Blues
Electric Memphis Blues
Electric Louisiana Blues 
Little Walter 
Horton, BIG Walter "Shakey"
Chicago/The Blues/Today!, Vol. 3  [1967] by Big Walter Horton
His Best (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection) [1997] by Little Walter
East-West [1966] by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Jay Geils 
George Harmonica Smith
Billy Boy Arnold
Buster Brown
Sam Myers
 Little Sonny
Mark Hummel

Tutorial #1- Music Basics - Learn Basic Music Notation and Format

Tutorial #2- Notes - Learn to read notes...understand pitch...translate written sheet music to the correct note on your harmonica.
Tutorial #3- Rhythm / Tempo - Learn How to Count the Beat. Understand Rhythm and Tempo. Learn the difference between the two.
blues chat
Chat about the blues at Dr. Mojo's Mojo Times and discuss blues music and playing the guitar, harmonica, blues harp and singing the blues
Kim Wilson - 90s
the Fabulous Thunderbirds
Jimmy Vaughn

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