Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society
Instruments
Blues Harmonica (Harp)

About the same time America was moving west in the covered wagon, a little musical instrument called a "mouth organ" was introduced to America from Europe. Because it was small and portable, inexpensive and easy to play, it soon became a favorite folk music instrument of the pioneers, the western cowboys and the riverboat crews. Many of our traditional American folk songs were born on the harmonica. In the evenings, the sound of harmonica music could be heard from the campsites as pioneers families would get together and share their music. Out on the prairie, lonely cowboys would entertain themselves by playing sweet lonely melodies on their instrument to pass the idle time.

The blues harmonica, or so called "blues harp", is used by the Society in its musical reportoire. Based on the pentatonic scale, the blues harp's lovely melodic sound and whining blues tones gives this instrument a special folk character not heard in any other musical instrument. The ease at which one can master the blues harp makes it an almost perfect instrument for accompaniment as well as solos. It's a favorite choice to take a break, and we use it regularly in gospel, cowboy and traditional folk tunes we play. In particular, many old gospel songs are very expressive and emotional, and the harmonica lends itself perfectly to this type of music, for it expresses, close to the human voice, the feelings of the heart. Just a few bars of a good gospel tune, like Amazing Grace, is a tremendous way to bring a feeling of satisfaction to your soul.

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