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Chromatic harmonica is in fact the nearly-universal choice for jazz harmonica, though Howard Levy is well known for using a diatonic harp.
Originally Posted by pauln
It's one thing to not much like the timbre of the harmonica or the violin (or the bagpipes), but another to dismiss an instrument's ability to produce jazz. A couple of minutes Googling turned up this rather nice take on "Black Orpheus"--very much in the Toots Thielemans mode, and not at all chopped liver.
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03-07-2025 02:38 PM
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Or the accordian.... Originally Posted by RLetson
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Years ago I caught Ludovic Beier with the Dorado Schmitt group and noticed that he was producing bends and slurs on his button accordion. After the concert, I asked him how he managed that and he explained that he had a specially-modified instrument that allowed note-bending. It adds some of the expressiveness that you get with the bends available on chromatic harmonica.
Beier is also a marvelous player across a considerable range of traditions.
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Lol, I love the accordion, to the point if I was ever going to learn another instrument, that would be it.
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Posing the question "Uggh What's worse... is objectionable in and of itself. It is like asking "when did you stop beating your wife?". It assumes facts not in evidence. And assuming is always questionable in any event (it makes an ass out of me and you).
There are probably jazz accordionists, violinists, banjo players, trombone players, harmonica players etc. who think that the guitar has no place in jazz. So what? We like what we like and dislike what we dislike. I like all instruments in jazz so long as they are played well and tastefully and I hate every instrument in jazz when they are played poorly and without taste.
All of that said, I will admit that a jazz violinist with bad intonation informs me that if Hell actually exists, that is the soundtrack.
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What's the definition of a minor second? Originally Posted by Stringswinger
All of that said, I will admit that a jazz violinist with bad intonation informs me that if Hell actually exists, that is the soundtrack.
Two 1st year violin students playing in unison.
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https://youtu.be/YD4oW7WYgUs?si=tZMDRL8YHLr6d1hH
Arpa Joropo - Edmar Castañeda
Harmonica - Grégoire Maret
What's not to love about music well played on instruments less common to a given style.
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Nothing beats the skirl of the pipes.
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They are both eclipsed by the mandolin, but are tied with the (post-Dixieland) banjo
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Taj Mahal said something like, that upon first hearing the cajun box, it was the first time he could stand to hear an accordion. Originally Posted by Mick-7
I was much the same way, until it was that I started applying, to accordions, Professor Longhair, a bunch of forro, samba, cumbia... It kind of took over me.Last edited by randal; 03-07-2025 at 09:59 PM.
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I enjoy listening to a well-played accordion (e.g. Galliano), but I really like the bandoneon (e.g. Piazolla, Saluzzi). As for the OP's misophonia, let's not forget that there's a lot of people out there who can't stand the sound of jazz guitar (e.g. a very ex-girlfriend).
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I've had the good fortune to play with chromatic harmonica great Damien Masterson. Terrific sound.
I've also played with a great jazz violinist. I wish I could get her to play more often. I was in awe.
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Last edited by Woody Sound; 03-08-2025 at 12:05 AM.
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To coin a phrase, it's not the instrument, it's the musician. Even jazz banjo can be good, although it takes a really good banjoist to be better than no banjoist. Howard Alden plays banjo, for example. Toots was pretty good on harmonica, as well as guitar. There are lots of harmonica players, but not that many really good ones. Same for violin - it's a difficult instrument, and there are many violinists who just aren't that great. But any instrument, in the right hands (or mouth) can sound great. It can also sound bad in the wrong hands.
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Harmonica is universally hated by most gigging musicians because the bar to entry is a $50 instrument so basically it's a yo-yo that a yo-yo carries around trying to sit in with, and ruin, whatever band is dumb enough to let them up. So anyone with a harp is usually detested unless you are one of the few who actually play.
Diatonic and esp chromatic harmonica IMO are some of the most emotive and beautiful instruments right up there with, if not exceeding, saxophone. Actually harps are known as a Mississippi saxophone at least down here. And Peavey is the Mississippi Marshall, lol
Thanks to my southern location and the mexican/hispanic culture here I have also come to appreciate the accordion. As for violin, it's a great instrument and I know a great Grappelli styled fiddler who is also quite adept with a six string, but it can also be a grate instrument in the wrong hands because it's sinewave is jagged.
Nobody should be bashing flute either. Flute in the right context is beautiful. I personally find handheld instruments more neat than something like jewels or fine watches. They are up there with a nice pistol. Refined function. I always wanted a pocket trumpet, even though I can't play, just because they are small and neat and you can really make noise with one. I actually never met an instrument I didn't like except some solid state guitar stuff, lol.
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You need to expand your knowledge base, my friend. Harmonica pros at the level of our favorite guitar pros can play rapid chromatic scales, long bebop licks, and very complex melody lines on any old Marine Band diatonic. It’s difficult, but so is playing the guitar like Johnny Smith. Originally Posted by pauln
Probably more than 20 years ago, Adam Gussow was appearing in Philly, and he gave a talk on playing the harmonica at the Barnes & Noble on Walnut Street in Center City IIRC. I’m a big fan, so I went to it and learned a lot. But the highlight was his answer to one audience member during the Q&A after he spoke.
A man asked him if he ever played a chromatic harmonica and, if not, why not. Gussow whipped out a standard diatonic harp (Marine Band, as I recall), blew a perfect 3 octave chromatic scale, and said something like “What’s a chromatic harmonica?”
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Agree with the OP. I likes me some Stephane Grappelli but I wouldn't ever put on jazz violin and would usually turn it off if it came on. I can't stand harmonica in any context. To me, harmonica played by someone who thinks they're so down home and bluesy is 10x worse than some Bluesette.
Tbh, I don't really like the sound of the horns in jazz. Although sax is nice. I don't want to listen to loud ass trumpet. Certainly not disgusting clarinet.
Bagpipes, banjo, and accordion themselves aren't repulsive to me. I wouldn't want to push it by listening to jazz with them tho. Although some jazz accordion is kind of pretty.
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Incredible Originally Posted by Al Haig
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I'm also over vocals for the most part lol. Will listen to Louis and Ella but if there's singing on the Mez cam I bail out immediately.
Over drum and bass solos although like the sound of them in combo playing. Don't want to hear annoying banging around for a drum solo. :P
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u r mad
or: what do you actually like?
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Obviously, he likes the guitar. Originally Posted by pamosmusic
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I wouldn’t be so sure Originally Posted by jazzshrink
Obviously, he likes the guitar.
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Full write up lol.
Instruments I love the sound of:
Guitar, piano, organ, vibraphone.
Instruments I'm ok with:
Sax at the top of the list. Don't dislike it, but don't love it. Listen to it all the time. Sometimes have to turn it off if an alto or soprano is annoying me. Drums and bass. Like their sound in regular accompaniment. Don't want to hear annoying banging around for a drum solo or a bassist's attempt at being musical on their solo. Flute can be chill, but I don't go put it on. Trombone can be ok in a combo but I'd never put it on.
Instruments I'm over:
Vox. Vox doesn't do it for me anymore. Don't want to listen to it. My favorite would be Louis's bands tho. Don't put on anything else but recognize how it's a foundational instrument. Trumpet. Don't want to listen to loud ass trumpet. I love this jazz messengers concert with Bobby Timmons and Benny Golson but Lee Morgan's loud ass trumpet sours it a bit for me.
Instruments I hate:
Harmonica. Sounds awful. Have no idea why anyone would play that instrument. Get clarinet tf away from me. Violin. Don't want to listen to their screeching bands although some Django is good.
Last edited by Al Haig; 03-09-2025 at 01:26 PM.
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Stevie Wonder sure sounds great with a Chromatic Harp though!!! Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
My wife actually took care of Sterling Magee aka Satan at a St. Pete area rest home. He was a ward of the state and used to host a jam down there in Gulfport every week and a co-worker of mine was playing piano for that jam so I went a few times. There would be quite a line of guys trying to jam with him. He was quite the talent in his day and "Satan and Adam" was a great act.
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