Er…(how about that for a tentative start…) I signed on to C. and F. a while ago but haven’t posted anything up to now…I really only play the harmonica (I “own” whistles and bodhrans - oh dear, should I even have mentioned that…) to anything like a reasonable standard, and I’m no Brendan Power, but I have specialised (pompous sod…) in traditional Irish music.
I looked through recent threads and didn’t see too many references to the harmonica, except for one on the “irksome” instruments thread. To my relief, that particular negative citation arose from the fact that the harmonica player in question was drunk, a state I would never dream of getting into (I hope no-one reading this knows me personally…).
Anyway, I just wondered whether anyone has much experience of the harmonica in sessions, either as a player or fellow-sessionee, and whether, candidly, their experiences are positive or negative. Was the said instrument loud enough to be heard/was it amplified/appropriately-played for the music, well-received, etc. etc. I’d love to know!
Nice to be here!
All the best
Steve Shaw
http://mysite.freeserve.com/trad_irish_harmonica
Hi Steve - and welcome. When I read your post, I immediately thought of Jim Conway, a harmonica player of Irish trad music, and his Mouthbox CD. You might be interested in this thread:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=7012&highlight=mouthbox
Susan
Hey, Steve. Almost never see a harmonica player at sessions in my neck of the woods…for a while, there was a fellow who’d very politely play quietly along (backup style, didn’t have the tunes) at a distance while minding his son so his wife could play concertina undistracted. Nice fellow, quite considerate; you’d almost not know he was there. They’ve moved, now.
The only other time I can recall was when a friend who plays button box (see? I’m VERY tolerant 
) forgot his weapon of chioce, but had an array of harmonicas stashed in his car and acquitted himself quite well. Of course I had to jeer at him for forgetting his prize Saltarelle, which was most unusual.
I noticed your choice of terms. I’ll bet that only a ITM harmonica player would have the presence of mind to walk into a session and not say s/he plays the “harp”. 
To Susan and Nanohedron: thanks for replying. That thread on James Conway is very interesting. I’ve been corresponding with him for several months now, swapping ideas and tunes, but he’s got much more to offer me than I have for him!
I nearly always call harmonicas “harps” but having written a fair bit now on the harmonica in Irish music I’ve learned to be very careful about the contexts in which I use the word “harp!” Comes with practice after quite a few ambiguities, I can tell you!
All the best
Steve
For some reason or other the harmonicaplayers seem to be concentrated in Co Wexford. There are a few around here, coming to sessions to play. Most notable player we have in the area is Mick Kinsella who plays the harmonica and concertina, mostly at the same time and making a wonderful job of it. Hearing him play the old Battlefield band tune Ged a theid mi do m’leabaidh is some treat not to be missed.
Talking of Brendan Power, he has moved to kent and has frequented some sessions here…say no more!
He is playing at The Irish Centre in Hammersmith on the 7th Feb with some local musicians Tim Edey, (Box) Michael Lempelius, (bouzouki) and Lucy Randall (percussion) Should be a good night!
Dave.