SPAH 2021!
This particular room in the Forum has been pretty quiet since sometime in 2019. Moribund, in fact. But just because we've all been hunkered down at home constantly washing our hands and wearing masks (except when playing harmonica) doesn't mean that there haven't been any cool events. There have been a ton. Perhaps share some of your favorites? (E.g., I was able to go all the way to England for a wonderful harmonica conference ... all while sitting at the breakfast table here in California in my pajamas!) As it appears that the most recent post re Events was for one of Joe Filisko's, I figure this is a great time to remind everyone that SPAH Convention 2021 will again be virtual, and that Joe will be back with an amazing set of workshop sessions with every living blues harmonica great you can name. Including David Barrett! August 10-14.
So Brian, what's your favorite Joe Filisko-style tin can? I've tried a few, and have settled on a small tomato paste can that has a curved bottom (for better reverb), wrapped with gaffer's tape for a better grip. According to a stamp on the bottom, the can won't expire until August 2023. (Seriously, weren't those some great sounds Joe got from his can collection? The tin can is a fun addition for acoustic playing, whether into a vocal mic, or just sitting on the porch playing as the nieghbors walk by.) And you're right about the breadth of styles encouraged and supported by SPAH. I went to the 2016 Convention in San Antonio and enjoyed all of the different types of harmonica music played, but in particular literally had my mind blown going to a workshop put on by Irish music enthusiast James Conway. I could practice a thousand years and never get half of the way he does those quick trills and decorations.
I keep a small box of assorted cans in my truck/practice studio. Due to covid my wife works at home now, so I’ve been driven out of the house and the dog won’t let me near his house. Therefore, I’ve been banished to practice in my truck with the windows up, so they neighbors don’t call the police. Maybe one day I’ll play good enough to be allowed back into the house, or at least next to the dog.
So far, my favorite can is the Bush Beans Country Style flavor 8 oz can. Bush Beans is a company here in the back woods of Tennessee, so when I play into my Bush Beans can I call it my Country Blues. I like the different sounds made by different size cans, so I switch them up. The large cans have a really cool sound, but I can’t hold them and the harmonica together very well. Unfortunately for me, playing into a pillow would have a better chance at getting my back in the house.
Also, I went to the SPAH website and saw the lineup of people presenting/entertaining at SPAH week this year. It’s going to be an amazing SPAH week, I’m now wishing it was an in-person event.
In a truck with the windows rolled up. Isn't that how Adam Gussow became such a great player and teacher?
My truck is my climate-controlled woodshed. I’m just glad I took up harmonica instead of tuba, I’d need a bigger truck.
Is there a youtube of this can reverb idea. I'd like to see/hear what it looks like and sounds like. Hank H
Here's a good example, Hank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW7yoIgBTJc Your mileage may differ, depending on what type of can you fall in love with. The best sound, however, is guaranteed only if you can wash and prep the can without damaging the paper label. And an Ortega chili label will produce a much hotter sound than a label with a bunch of diced tomatoes on it (unless they're the tomatoes that come with garlic and basil already added). Incidentally, Joe Filisko doesn't know me from the Man in the Moon, but a bit ago I sent him a handwritten letter thanking him for a virtual on-line session he produced, adding some only half-joking thoughts about his inspiring me to try out different cans. Very soon after, I received a really nice and gracious handwritten card back from him. It just confirmed my opinion that he's one of the classiest people not only in the harmonica world, but in the world in general.
Last year’s SPAH was really good. There were some great instructional sessions. Some were over my head, but most I was able to follow along. I really enjoyed the session with Todd Parrott. I still practice with my tin can reverb we saw Joe Filisko use. I like the online SPAH and hope they will keep that even if they do go back to an in-person format. It was also nice to see how harmonica is used outside of blues music.
I’m looking forward to my second SPAH.
Brian in Tennessee