KING OF THE CHUG!!!
King of the Chug
Original Solo Blues Harmonica Instrumental Contest presented by BluesHarmonica.com and Hohner Harmonicas
This your chance to apply all of the great skills you've developed studying the Solo Harmonica lessons on the site! Think of this as your student concert! Participants of the contest will receive critique from each of the judges, which are today's leading players and educators in this style: Joe Filisko, Tom Ball, Peter "Madcat" Ruth and David Barrett (me ;-). You can submit your original recording (one per subscriber) now through November 15th. Judging will take place from November 15th through December 1st. Winners will be announced December 5th. A video will be up shortly with ideas on writing your composition. Good luck and have fun!!!
Judging Criteria:
1) Groove - Chugging is all about rhythm/groove… give us something to tap our feet to!
2) Composition - How catchy is the main hook or head in your composition? If we can't stop humming it after we listen, you did a great job! We’re also listening for creativity/originality.
3) Execution - This is the technical side of your performance: your tone, rhythm, control of technique (bends played in tune, etc.). Show us you know how to use textures on the harmonica (chords, two-note combinations, shakes, slaps, octaves, pulls, flutters, etc.). Your use of chords is essential since chugging is chord-dominated.
*Use of equal temperament tuning is discouraged… we don’t like listening to chords that are out of tune.
Rules:
1) Use Diatonic Harmonica - Custom tunings, valving, etc. are allowed. You may also use more than one harmonica if you wish (switching harps in multiple positions).
2) Original instrumental composition (no vocals… whooping is okay! :-)
3) Must be acoustic (not played through an amp) and recreatable live on the bandstand (including no electronic loppers or sound-on-sound devises).
4) Less than 4 minutes in length
5) Must be a current, subscribed member of BluesHarmonica.com for the duration of the competition (October-November).
Prizes:
1st Place: One-of-a-kind T-Shirt for the winner that says “King/Queen of the Chug”; set of 7 Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonicas in matching case; signed certificate by judges
2nd Place: Set of 7 Hohner Big River Harmonicas in matching case; signed certificate by judges
3rd Place: Hohner harmonica case and History of the Blues Harmonica Concert 2xCD Set; signed certificate by judges
