Andy Irvine's Harp

Subject: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: GUEST,Guest Bloodied but unbowed
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:28 AM

Watched a re-run of the fab Mary & The Soldier with Paul Brady.
Superb harp playing by Andy, which model does he use?

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:29 AM

I thought he played the bouzouki?

... ah...

... see what you mean...

... I'll get me coat.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: GUEST,Bruce Baillie
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 10:00 AM

As far as I know he uses Lee Oscar by Tombo

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 10:38 AM

Thanks Bruce

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: GUEST,Johnmc
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 01:38 PM

I, too, have long admired his playing on harmonica; I believe he plays it upside down, with the bass on his right. However, I would love to know how he gets that tone and the bent notes.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: KateG
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 04:06 PM

Oh, you mean harmonica....

When my husband took up the harmonica, it drove me nuts when he referred to it as a "harp," since to me that's a large triangular instrument with lots of strings. Fortunately he switched to the mandolin, so the problem evaporated.

In a blues/jazz setting calling a harmonica a harp is standard and fairly unambiguous. But in a folk/trad setting it can lead to confusion.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 04:20 AM

Andy, being a long time fan of Woody Guthrie would be quite likely to play the gob iron upside down like Woody did.

eric

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 04:26 AM

Does playing a harmonica upside down (right to left instead of left to right) make any difference to the sound? I can't see how it would. Any harmonica experts care to comment?

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's Harp
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 04:45 AM

According to Matt Jennings [ Woodys brother in law ] it enabled Woody to get good ' train ' sounds.

eric