Harmonica in the Elementary Music Classroom

Performance Research ProjectComprehensive Musicianship

Summer 2014

Linda Kwan and Mildred Yi

Performance

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by J.S. Bach(excerpt)

Transcribed for Two-Part C Harmonica

RationaleRationale 1:

Personal Connection

Teaching for Elementary Music ClassFosters Inclusive/Accessible Classrooms

Portable Instrument

Affordable Instrument

Requires Minimal Fine Motor Skills

Ease of Success for All Levels of Learning

RationaleRationale 2:

Harmonica for Elementary School Music Methods Course

Effective tool for teaching basic musicianship to Liberal Studies Majors planning to be elementary music teachers

Beginning instrument to all levels of music experience

Less common in traditional music method classes

Kinesthetically accessible for adults

Rote music learning at beginning stages possible

BackgroundHarmonica

Free reed wind instrumentUsed in variety of musical genres:

Classical

Pop

Jazz

Ensemble

Types of HarmonicaDiatonic - One Layer Reed, 10 Notes

Tremolo - Two Layer Reed – oscillating, 24 Keys

Chromatic – button activated sliding bar that redirects air to alter notes

History: Europe to North America

1800-1824 Originated in Vienna

Joseph Richter: invented the blow and draw mechanics

1830 Brought to Germany

Christian Messner (clothmaker)

Distribution via Immigration

1868 Brought US – Called Mouth Organ

Mathia Hohner (clockmaker)

Southern States via black market: Hilbilly and Jazz (featured in Jug Bands in Memphis)

Abe Lincoln and Billy the Kid had one!

Mass Production by Machine Cut and Exported to other countries

20th C Invention of Diatonic Harmonica ,Tremolo, Octave, Chromatic

History: East Asia1898 Brought to Japan from Germany

- Tremelo Harmonica modified for Japanese folk tunes

1931 Minor key harmonica developed in Japan

1930s Brought to Hong Kong

- Tremelo Harmonica Popular

- Beginning of Harmonica Organizations:

China YMCA Harmonica Orchestra

-1950s Linda’s grandfather was in the Kings College Harmonica Band – one of the oldest Harmonica ensembles that still

exist today. – Tremolo Harmonica

1950s Chromatic Harmonica Introduced

Kings College Harmonica Band

Parts of the Harmonica

Other Uses

Harmonica Lesson Activity

http://www.theharmonicacompany.com/_harmonicastore/products/800px/hering-1148-giant.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Suzuki-TIMER-TREMOLO-HARMONICA-Hole/dp/B0014N46V6

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/howharmonicaworks.html