Mike Stevens's Favorite (Harmonica) Things
Sarnia, Ontario-based (about an hour from Detroit) Mike Stevens is one of the best bluegrass harmonica players in the world, with a string of credits that includes multiple appearences at the Grand Ole Opry and performances with Roy Acuff, Jim and Jesse (with whom he…
RP200 Patch for Harmonica: Stack Amp with Whammy (pitch bend)
This patch combines a Stack Amp Model setup — a useful “hard” amp model for harmonica on the Digitech RP200 (my favorite), RP100, and RP300 — with a deep pitch-bending “whammy” effect that’s under foot-pedal control. It’s great for long, timed bends that seem to…
A Few Words About Special Tunings
The majority of harmonica players play diatonic harmonicas almost exclusively, and most of those players have never played a harmonica that is not standard-tuned, i.e. tuned to a Richter scale in a major key where the lowest exhale note on the instrument is the root…
Rob Paparozzi’s Favorite (Harmonica) Things
New Jersey-based Rob Paparozzi is one of the top studio harmonica pros in the New York City area, which is to say, one of the top recording harmonica players in the world. He currently sings and plays with Blood Sweat & Tears as well as…
Lee Oskar’s Favorite (Harmonica) Things
Lee Oskar is one of the most widely-heard harmonica players of all time. He is best-known for his work with the band War, where his “horn section” with saxophonist Charles Miller created one of the most unique sounds in the history of rock. His composition…
Jelly Roll Johnson’s Favorite (Harmonica) Things
Nashville-based Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson’s distinctive, soulful style has made him one of country music’s top session musicians. Since moving to Nashville in 1984, Jelly has recorded with the cream of Nashville’s singers, including Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Etta James, Anointed, Randy Travis, The Judds,…
Jimmy Gordon's Favorite (Harmonica) Things
Jimmy Gordon is perhaps the only harmonica player who has played with both Bonnie Raitt and Jerry Lee Lewis. He sometimes tours with rock legend J.J. Cale, in whose company he has played such venues as Carnegie Hall. Jimmy’s first CD, Come On Over, is…
Julian Jackson’s Favorite (Harmonica) Things
London-based Julian Jackson is a star on the rise. He was raised in a musically oriented family in Liverpool, England. While studying simultaneously at Sandown Music College in Liverpool and with world renowned classical harmonica player James Hughes, Julian captured the Hohner British Harmonica Championships…
Clint Hoover’s Favorite (Harmonica) Things
Minneapolis, Minnesota native Clint Hoover has been playing the harmonica professionally for 18 years. As a studio session player he has worked for many regional artists as well as for commercials, theater, radio and TV. He has performed with groups working in styles that include…
RP200 Patch for Harmonica: Boutique Amp with Envelope Filter
What This Patch is About This patch combines a basic Boutique Amp Model setup — one of the most useful “hard” amp models for harmonica on the Digitech RP200 (my favorite), RP100, and RP300 — with an Envelope Filter effect. The Envelope Filter effect is…
