Harmonica Selections that Color Famous Songs

Are you all blowing your harmonicas?♪ The harmonica tone with its unique atmosphere and melancholy. There is always a harmonica in masterpieces that stretch across generations and national borders. So, this time we will introduce songs that use harmonica, loved by generations!

1.Isn’t She Lovely / Stevie Wonder

To start with, Stevie Wonder, famous as a master of chromatic harmonica player. About 4 minutes into the song, which everyone has heard, you can enjoy Stevie's wonderful harmonica solo. The reason you’ll never get tired of listening to it is probably because of his excellent playing technique and emotional tone.

The harmonica used by Stevie Wonder is this.

HOHNER / Chromonica 280 (280/64)

2.Like a Rolling Stone / Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is best known as a folk singer, but this song has a strong band feeling. It is a wonderful song with a cheerful tone and message in the lyrics. This first song I think of when I think of a singer who plays the guitar while playing the harmonica is this one. Bob Dylan used the HOHNER / MARINEBAND, and the withered wooden tone fits well with his music.

The harmonica model used by Bob Dylan is this.

HOHNER / MARINEBAND 1896 / 20X 10 Holes Harmonica

3.Pure Love Song / Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi

This song, released in 1981, is mild and melancholy in the original, but when Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi plays it live, his harmonica and guitar playing heat up the audience. The coarse nature (in a good way) and his masculine posturing makes the spectators enthusiastic. The harmonica that Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi prefers is the TOMBO / MAJOR BOY. The smooth, well-defined tone that does not get buried in the mix even in live performances is perfect for songs with a strong rock coloring.

This is the model of the harmonica used by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi.

TOMBO / MAJOR BOY (No.1710) 10-Hole Harmonica

4.Celery / Masayoshi Yamazaki

This song is well-known for having been used in a TV commercial and for having been covered by SMAP. The lyrics are a cut-out of casual everyday life, but I think many people sympathize with the happy content. Masayoshi Yamazaki's music has its roots in blues, so the harmonica used is also a 10-holes harmonica, also known as a blues harp. He is also using a product from a domestic manufacturer, the SUZUKI / HAMMOND HA-20 together with the HOHNER / MARINE BAND introduced above.

The harmonica used by Masayoshi Yamazaki is this.

SUZUKI / HAMMOND HA-20 10 Holes Harmonica

HOHNER / MARINEBAND 1896 / 20X 10-Hole Harmonica

This time, along with famous songs, I have introduced harmonicas preferred by artists. I think that the number of people who play the guitar alone is increasing as the time spent at home increases. But if you master the harmonica, you can add essence to a song, and eventually you can make it feel melancholy like Stevie Wonder does. You might even be able to play a harmonica solo ...! See you ~ ♪