Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Howard Levy interview

June 19, 2020 Neil Warren Season 1 Episode 14
Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
Howard Levy interview
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Show Notes Chapter Markers

Howard Levy is known to be the pioneer of overblows on the diatonic harmonica, but his music shouldn’t be defined merely by the use of this technical tool. Starting out as a piano player, he first started using overblows to enable him to play the music that  he wanted to play. And they have allowed Howard to take the instrument to soaring new heights across a diverse range of genres. And make no mistake, he has rhythm, feel, a great bluesy tone when he needs it, and most of all, blistering chops. 

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

Howard's website:
https://www.levyland.com/

Keys of harps on some albums shown here:
http://www.levyland.com/harpshop/

Discography:
https://www.levyland.com/discography/
https://www.levyland.com/discography/complete-discography/

Trio Globo website:
trioglobo.com

Teaching:

New Directions for Harmonica:
https://www.homespun.com/instructors/howard-levy/

ArtistWorks:
https://artistworks.com/harmonica-lessons-howard-levy

Out of the Box DVD:
http://www.levyland.com/product/out-of-the-box-dvd/

Effect pedals:
https://www.lonewolfblues.com/boogieman.html

YouTube:

Lonesome Pine Special with Bella Fleck and the Flecktones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGJqxXHiXko

Amazing Grace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmL4RM7IA7A


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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Moved to Chicago
Started playing harmonica age 18
Learnt piano first
Exposure to blues got Howard interested in harmonica
How Howard discovered and developed overblows
How to get an overblow
Getting the right pitch with overblows
Playing multiple keys on one diatonic, and switching between diatonics
Howard shows keys of harmonica used on website
How to set-up harmonicas for overblows and the harmonica’s Joe uses
Value of learning different instruments
Bella Fleck and the Flecktones
Playing using a cup
Trio Globo band
Playing piano and harmonica simultaneously
Hohner flex rack
Acoustic Express and Jethro Burns
Classical concerto for diatonic harmonica
Session work including with Dolly Parton and Donald Fagen
Ultrasound inside Howard’s mouth on New Directions in Harmonica Tuition DVD
Teaching on Artistworks
Out of the Box Tuition DVD
Chromatic harmonica
Howard's opinion on alternate tunings
10 minute question
Harmonica of choice
Favourite key of diatonic
Alternate tunings for Howard
Embouchre
Amps and mics
Future plans