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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Charles Bronson...Harmonica

3 replies [Last post]
Sun, 04/04/2010 - 12:45
slucey
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Joined: 12/19/2009

Here is a good one...
Charles Bronson played the character Harmonica in the movie...ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST...directed by Sergio Leoni...A Classic!
To create tension Bronson played a short (maybe for notes with a single bend) riff..right before the bad guys got their butts kicked.
Do you know the note combination and key of harp?
My brother and I have been wondering for years...I would like to play it for him.
I figure with the bend this could be considered a legitimate blues question.
Thank you Master..
Steve

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Sun, 04/04/2010 - 13:19
#1
jjudson
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Joined: 12/23/2009
The final showdown...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ4bNTU965E

The final showdown - complete with the standard long, menacing, and distant Sergio Leoni stares.

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Sun, 04/04/2010 - 17:47
#2
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Comment

Wow... you guys are really working me!

The music is in B-flat and he's playing a C Chromatic harmonica. The main notes are 6+ with the button in, then 5+ button in and finally 5+ button out (or bend with button in) to button 5+. In the opening of this cut, and throughout different parts of the movie, he plays 5+ button in with a bend or 5+ button out interchangeably. I bet that's not what you were guessin' ;-)

Though I have no doubt he's playing a chromatic, you could also play this if you have an F# harmonica (you got one of those... right ;-) and play 3, 2, 3', 3...

You owe me one! ;-)

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Sun, 04/04/2010 - 17:53
#3
jjudson
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Joined: 12/23/2009
I wonder...

It's gotta be tough to play a Chromatic with the button and draw a gun at the same time!

Bronson was a better shot than I gave him credit for...

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