Harmonica in Carnatic Music

arulguna · Post by **arulguna** » 15 May 2008, 10:01

The video below is of Raghuvamsa sudha on harmonica.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z4E93ECP8Ys

I was wondering whether anyone knew what type of harmonica you would use for use in carnatic music (Diatonic or Chromatic). Or is it about practise?

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 15 May 2008, 10:21

That's very good - I have tried playing a harmonica and found it pretty hard to get a single note right!

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 15 May 2008, 11:04

Very good harpwork, indeed. He appears to be playing a chromatic harmonica - his right index finger is positioned over the button, though in this case he does not actually use it, possibly because the ragam does not require it.

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 09 Jun 2008, 12:22

Hai all, i registered just now....

Kindly check put the below link. It's a complete concert recording of my Carnatic Clssical Recital on the Harmonica. Comments welcome

http://www.esnips.com/web/HarmonicaConc ... ge=1#files

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 08 May 2009, 16:17

It gives me immense pleasure to invite you to my First Carnatic Classical Recital on the Harmonica [Mouth - Organ]. The concert will be held under the auspices of Ragasudhalaya Charitable Trust, a reputed Sabha in Bangalore promoting music and other fine arts.

Date : 12th May, 2009, Tuesday
Time : 6pm to 8pm
Venue : BEL Ganapathi Temple, Jalahalli, Bangalore - 560 013
Nearest Landmark - BEL Circle.
Map : http://maps.google.co.in/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

The Team :
Harmonica - Saitejas
Violin - Vittla Rangan
Mridangam - Phaneendra Bhaskar
Khanjira - Bhargava Halambi

Your presence and encouragement will mean a lot to me"¦..!!!!

Musically Yours,
Saitejas

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 08 May 2009, 22:04

Best wishes, hamsadhwaniteju. Could you use this topic to discuss the harmonica in CM - what kind of harmonicas you use, how you play it, the techniques that you have invented for complex phrasing and so on?

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 14 May 2009, 10:29

please check out the following link for the audio recording of the entire concert, and some photographs

http://www.esnips.com/web/CarnaticHarmo ... 9/?flush=1

Honest feedback appreciated

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 15 May 2009, 02:08

My honest opinion...
It seems that it's difficult to reproduce gamakas on the harmonica? So you may need to resort to ragas such as Kadanakuthuhalam... I listened to some of your music - it seems the violin tends to provide most of the gamaka parts?

Hope I didn't come across as being harsh. You asked for our honest opinion after all!

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 18 May 2009, 17:57

Ragam-Talam,

Yes, it is indeed difficult to play majority of the gamakas on the harmonica. But I am sure there must a technique by which this can be achieved. This was my 1st concert on the harmonica. My next concert would probably have more of gamaka laden ragas

Thanks for your feedback.

eppramod · Post by **eppramod** » 19 May 2009, 14:12

Hello Saitejas,

Thanks for the clip!
I hope you are the guy who is anchoring Listener's Request Show in Worldspace Satellite Radio.

Pramod

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 19 May 2009, 14:18

yes Pramod.... you're right..!!!

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 10 Jun 2009, 15:07

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 10 Jun 2009, 21:21

Well done! This is indeed a welcome novelty in CM! Now for the technical discussion. Enlighten us about your methods and training procedures. How difficult is the learning. Also post a piece (say the navaragamalika) without the violin so that we may know how much gamakas are lost!

hamsadhwaniteju · Post by **hamsadhwaniteju** » 26 Jun 2009, 14:23

A write-up in The Hindu - June 25, 2009

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/06/26/stor ... 900300.htm

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 27 Jun 2009, 04:46

Welcome novelty in CM. I like to see the quality of recording improved. It seems the violin and mridamgam are completely overshadowing harmonica, IMHO. Is there a way to connect the harmonica audio to the microphone directly?

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Jun 2009, 04:57

Instead of decrying, this is an experiment that should be encouraged and appreciated by CM Rasikas. I assume Harmonica training will be comparatively easier and less time-intensive than other musical instruments (Flute/Violin/Veena/..). It will be nice if you can post some simple lessons here as well as the techniques that you have evolved. Some videos if possible will be most helpful; especially on blowing techniques. Youngsters do like playing Cine music (and they do quite well) on the Harmonica. Adopting it for CM will generate a good interest and promote CM among the youngsters.
It will be Fun and enjoyable!