Skip to main content

Accompaniment King

Original Blues Harmonica Accompaniment Playing Contest by BluesHarmonica.com, the Harmonica Masterclass Workshop and Hohner Harmonicas

Judging has been tallied and a big congratulation goes to Steve Molitor (Walter Juke) as the winner of the Accompaniment King contest! He’s won entry to the 2014 Harmonica Masterclass Workshop (www.harmonicamasterclass.com) and will perform a song with the Doug Deming band. Honorable mention goes to Joe Mead, Marcos and ErwinIost. Thanks to all that participated, it was a great pleasure to hear you all implement what you’ve been learning on the site in these recordings. Thanks to Hohner Harmonicas, BluesHarmonica.com and all of the judges (Gary Smith, Rick Estrin and Mark Hummel). Scroll to the bottom of the page to hear their entries.

Previous Contests

Jensen Contest File

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 16:08 by sjensen1954
sjensen1954's picture

I tried to use a wide verity of texture, dynamics and techniques to give each song a unique feel. Most of the songs are recorded using a diatonic harmonica through an amp using second position but I also played some third position and acoustic harp to keep things fresh.

Scott Jensen
scott@theblueskyband.com

ACCOMP KING ENTRY

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 14:38 by capitalG
capitalG's picture

Had a blast doing this competition and learnt loads about accompaniment.
Really enjoyed the process and hope you all enjoy the entry,

Gareth

JimmyBB 6 at once submission Accompaniment Contest

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 13:17 by Jimmy Bugert
Jimmy Bugert's picture

If you have as much fun listening and judging as I have playing, we all win! Thanks for all you do. God bless.

monster mike acc

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 12:36 by Bill56
Bill56's picture

Joe Mead

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 10:06 by joemead
joemead's picture

Hope the audio quality is OK, and also the mix levels of harmonica versus the band are appropriate.

Recorded either acoustically or amplified through a Fender Champ, and both ways via my laptop's microphone.

Tried to use a variety of approaches. As far as how things turned out, I think the slow blues is my favorite.

Thanks to BluesHarmonica.com for the lessons. And thanks to the judges for taking a listen.

Acoustic Accom

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 08:45 by ErwinIost
ErwinIost's picture

I decided to play only acoustic harp for this contest, i hope you like it
Song 1: Bb harp
Song 2: A harp
Song 3: G harp
Song 4: Ab harp
Song 5: C chromatic harp
Song 6: A harp

Cheers from Chile!!

Accompaniment mood

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 08:28 by mishaikin
mishaikin's picture

My Accompaniment

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 07:38 by eliam
eliam's picture

My Accompaniment for traks
thanks

Monster Mike and Marcos

Posted Sat, 07/20/2013 - 04:52 by marcos
marcos's picture

Backing Up Monster

Posted Fri, 07/19/2013 - 19:24 by walterjuke
walterjuke's picture

This was a lot of fun. I learned a lot - and learned I still have a lot more to learn about accompaniment.

Here's the harps and positions I used:

  1. D chromatic 3rd position, slide in
  2. A harp, 2nd position
  3. G harp, 2nd position
  4. A flat harp, 3rd position
  5. C chromatic 3rd position / D harp 1st position
  6. A harp 2nd position

Thanks David for the great lessons!

Steve

Eddy Vanschepdael

Posted Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:55 by Eddy Vanschepdael
Eddy Vanschepdael's picture

Song #1: LLF harmonica 1st position
Song #2: A harmonica 2nd position
Song #3: G harmonica 2nd position
Song #4: LEb harmonica 2nd position
Song #5: G harmonica 2nd position
Song #6: A harmonica 2nd position

accompaniment

Posted Fri, 07/19/2013 - 04:07 by Bluevan
Bluevan's picture

I tried to just play something that fit each groove

Jeremiah Kiser

Posted Thu, 07/18/2013 - 20:21 by jeremiahkiser
jeremiahkiser's picture

first song 1st position
second song 2nd position
third song 2nd position
fourth song Bb chromatic
fifth song 2nd position
sixth song 2nd position
Thanks David for throwing this contest. Had a great time recording on it.

Accompaniment Contest - Iman Rahimipour

Posted Thu, 07/18/2013 - 10:02 by iman_rahimipour
iman_rahimipour's picture

In 1st song I used Shakes and playing under the vocal with fills
In 2nd song I used Chords with fill
In 3rd song I used shakes and also I made a riff with the shake and for the last part of the song I changed the riff
In 4th song I used Horn lines
In 5th song I used Organ pads with Flutter tongue
In 6th song I used Chordal riff with fill and Shake and Ending phrase from Accompaniment Study 2 - I Want You With Me -