Ed Hopwood interview

Ed Hopwood joins me on episode 85.
Ed is from the UK where he started out playing drums and he shares some tips on how to bring some rhythm into our harmonica playing. 
Ed loves early styles of harmonica and performs a range genres, including jug band, early blues, cajun, bluegrass and old-timey music. Ed has a one man band show where he plays harmonica, guitar, sings and a whole host of percussion instruments. He’s brought many of these skills to his main band, The Rigmarollers, a trio who play a mixture of barrelhouse blues, ragtime, jazz, swing, gospel and infectious zydeco grooves.
As well as performing, Ed runs his harmonica tuition school, the Harmonica Barge, from the canal barge on which he lives in London. 

Links:

Ed’s website:
https://www.edhopwood.com/

The Rigmarollers band:
https://www.therigmarollers.com/

Teaching website:
https://www.theharmonicabarge.com/

Solo recordings on Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/ed-hopwood-1

Mark Harrison albums:
https://www.markharrisonrootsmusic.com/music.php

Seth Shumate, old-time harmonica player:
https://oldtime-central.com/seth-shumate-oldtime-harmonica/

Videos:
One man band act:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RShyJrXbkFU

Rory McLeod, Love Like A Rock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4gFDlm4oe0

Solo gig at The Green Note:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7fmgikSS_A

Ed solo: Born In The Wrong Time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5gsMKfEpMs

Peter Madcat Ruth playing Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1UyPh3Z3LI

Harmonica Barge YouTube site:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheHarmonicaBarge

Cajun music interview with Ed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8H8GEc2x0I

Country Blues lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdfucNQwEBM

Cindy, Old-time tune:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDfX9m830co

I Shall Not Be Moved, Gospel song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=053CKZu-WOI

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

Chapters

• 1:32 Ed is from the UK, born in Derby
• 1:51 First instrument was drums, inspired by father, who has worked as a professional drummer
• 2:23 What influence did drummer father have on Ed’s music career and how Ed learnt music
• 3:14 Started playing harmonica age 13, enjoying the portability compared to drums
• 3:43 Early harmonica exposure from The Blues Collection magazine / CD series
• 4:29 Started studying music seriously when attended music college in early 20s
• 4:36 Studied carpentry before attending music school
• 4:57 Isn’t using carpentry skills to make harmonica combs
• 5:29 Ed lives on a canal barge, called Muddy Waters, from where he runs his harmonica tuition business: the Harmonica Barge
• 6:08 Musical community living on the boat
• 6:30 Runs a harmonica school called The Harmonica Barge
• 6:49 Attended music college, first for popular music, then more focus on composition and song writing
• 8:50 Played a little harmonica as part of the college course, with the portability becoming increasingly appealing
• 9:51 One man band show is now making Ed having to carry more equipment again
• 10:14 Tips on how to bring rhythm into your harmonica playing, from a drumming perspective
• 11:53 Rhythmic repetitive licks are effective on harmonica
• 12:56 Playing specific rhythms as part of harmonica playing, and implicit and explicit learning
• 14:49 Other instruments Ed plays include: percussion, guitar, vocals, and one-man band show
• 16:45 Tips for getting started as a one-man band include using your feet as the rhythm and strap a tambourine to your foot
• 17:51 One of styles Ed plays is jug band music, and what makes up this genre of music
• 18:56 Influences for Ed getting into pre-war styles
• 19:48 Got interested in Bluegrass and old-timey music
• 20:02 Had some lessons with Will Greener, who helped run the London Harps group
• 21:14 Was a member of the Mark Harrison band, originally on drums, then on harmonica and backing vocals
• 22:58 Drummers often have to play whatever kit is available
• 23:38 Started out playing solo gigs
• 24:21 The Rigmarollers band is Ed’s main focus now
• 24:42 Hammond’s Place and Born In The Wrong time solo performance songs
• 26:56 The Rigmarollers trio and first album: Mr Crump Don’t Like It
• 28:27 Ed plays some kazoo and nose flute with The Rigmarollers
• 29:50 Some of the songs from the Mr Crump Don’t Like It album
• 31:59 Jed Davenport: early harmonica player
• 32:50 Ed’s teaching on the Harmonica Barge and approach to teaching
• 36:04 Different harmonica styles Ed teaches, starting with the fox chase
• 37:55 Cajun harmonica and father played in a Cajun band
• 39:07 Gospel harmonica and Elder Roma Wilson
• 41:39 Old-timey music, based around playing tunes
• 43:25 Teaches different styles to introduce people to the different genres it’s possible to play on harmonica
• 44:41 What advantages playing tunes and melodically can bring to your harmonica playing
• 45:30 Session work Ed has recorded
• 46:38 Only plays diatonic harmonica, with plans to try some chromatic
• 47:17 10 minute question
• 47:45 Practise routine
• 49:09 Harmonica of choice is Hohner Marine Band, mostly Crossovers
• 49:21 Does some harmonica maintenance himself and likes custom combs
• 49:55 What maintenance Ed performs on the harps
• 51:09 Doesn’t really use overblows
• 51:27 Uses different positions, including 5th
• 52:39 Different tunings and Powerbender
• 53:17 Embouchre: started tongue blocking but uses the embouchre that suits the style of music
• 55:23 Amp: Fishman Mini Loudbox for clean sound and Laney tube amp
• 55:51 Blows Me Away Ultimate 58 mic and a Bulletini
• 56:29 Effects: Harp Break and Octave pedal
• 56:59 Hazmat Modine touring Europe summer of 2023
• 57:14 Uses reverb from the amp and Boss pedal and delay pedal
• 57:53 Future plans and new album out later this year