Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers: The Evolution of the People's Instrument

by Kim Field

Overview

The harmonica is one of the most important, yet overlooked, instruments in music. This definitive volume celebrates the history of the world's most popular musical device, its impact on various forms of music, folk, country, blues, rock, jazz and classical music. The author traces the development of the harmonica from the ancient Chinese sheng to futuristic harmonica sythesizers. Nearly seventy harmonica masters are profiled including Stevie Wonder, Little Walter, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Reed, Charlie McCoy, Sonny Terry, and John Popper. This updated edition includes an extensive new afterword, an expanded discography of the finest harmonica recordings, and a listing of the best harmonica resources on the internet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815410201
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/16/2000
Edition description:	Updated Edition
Pages:	370
Product dimensions:	6.24(w) x 9.28(h) x 0.84(d)

Read an Excerpt

East Meets c h a p t e r o n e West ‘s musical instruments go, the harmonica is a new thing. Its bicentennial is still decades away. We have the Germans to thank for it (as for the bassoon, the flute, and the clarinet).

What People are Saying About This

Larry Adler

The Encyclopaedia Britannica of the harmonica

Editorial Reviews

Highly enjoyable and informative....Well-written.

Living Blues

An unassuming and enexpectedly delightful as potent blues rising suddenly from a pair of cracked, cupped hands....A loving celebration both of the players and of their instrument

Billboard

The Encyclopaedia Britannica of the harmonica

Larry Adler

Interesting and thoroughly researched....An essential volume for players, scholars, and fans alike. Field's writing style provides an easy read and his command of the field is unparalleled.

Blues Review Quarterly

The first book to qualify as a definitive history of the harmonica and its place in American music....Excellent.

Country Music Magazine

The Encyclopaedia Britannica of the harmonica--Larry Adler

An unassuming and enexpectedly delightful as potent blues rising suddenly from a pair of cracked, cupped hands....A loving celebration both of the players and of their instrument--Billboard

Highly enjoyable and informative....Well-written.--Living Blues

From the Publisher