Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Brendan Power interview

May 27, 2020 Neil Warren Season 1 Episode 11
Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
Brendan Power interview
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Show Notes Chapter Markers

Brendan Power is my guest today.
A true visionary of harmonica design, Brendan takes us under the hood of the instrument he has revolutionised with his alternative tunings and new designs, all helping him make some great harmonica music across a range of different genres.

Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only).

Brendan's website:
https://brendan-power.com/home.php

Info on Brendan's tunings:
https://www.brendan-power.com/harpgeeks.php

Brendan's instruction videos:
https://brendan-power.com/vimeo.php

Seydel link to Powernder tuning:
https://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Products/10301Power/SubProducts/10301PBA

YouTube clip of playing on Jools Holland show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB6GROiWWL8

Some of the recordings in the episode can be heard here:
https://brendan-power.com/tuneaday.php


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

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Brendan's roots
First heard harmonica at Sonny Terry concert
Started focusing on harmonica instead of studies
Early struggles as a musician
Early days playing in Auckland
Early harmonica influences
Creators of genre of blues harmonica
Playing different genres on harmonica and influence of Charlie McCoy
Charlie McCoy turned Brendan on to retuning harmonicas
Brendan’s fascination with alternative tunings
Brendan’s tunings
How to navigate different tunings
Asia Bend tuning
Paddy Richter Tuning
Alternative tunings are often only slightly different than Richter tuning
Summary of what different tunings are good for
Half-valving chromatics and diatonics
Alternative tunings on chromatic
Brendan has made chromatic more like a diatonic
When to use half-valved chromatic instead of diatonic
Brendan setting up video tutorials on how to use different tunings
More on Asia Bend harmonica
Bulgarian project
Frankenharps
More people should do basic harmonica maintenance
Tension between being a customiser and a performer
Lucky 13 harmonica
Twin harmonica system
Some other innovations
Using technology to aid making music
Awards and playing with Tim Edey
Played on Jools Holland TV show
Playing with Sting
Other session work
Advice on how to make a career out of playing music
10 minute question
Harmonica of choice
Favourite key of harmonica
Overblows
Embouchre
Amps
Mics
Effects pedals
Future plans