A Brief History of Harmonica Harnesses

From folk legends to modern-day musicians, here is a brief history of harmonica harnesses. 

If you want to play the harmonica while also playing another instrument, such as a guitar or piano, holding the harmonica in your hand can be quite challenging. In such cases, a harmonica harness, sometimes called harmonica holder or harp rack, can be an ideal solution.

This device allows you to wear the harmonica, set on a harness that rests around your neck, leaving your hands free to play other instruments or perform other tasks, such as cutting onions or driving to work. We personally stick to musical instruments but we’ll leave that choice up to you.

Here at Eagle Music, we have been selling harnesses for quite a while and they’re an ever-popular choice among our dear customers. But where do they actually come from and how can they be used creatively?

History

Harmonica harnesses have been around for quite a while actually. If you are familiar with the world of electric guitar and rock n’ roll music, you should be no stranger to the name Les Paul, the legendary guitarist and inventor behind the eponymous first solid-body guitar, among many other revolutionary ideas still used in modern music, including the first harmonica holder.

Even though some holders were already available on the market, he fashioned his very own holder out of a coat hanger, wood, rubber bands with a pivot system which allowed him to flip his two-sided harmonica and play in different keys… all of this at the age of 12.

The harmonica holder quickly gained popularity among musicians, particularly in the folk and blues genres. In the 1960s, Bob Dylan became one of the most prominent musicians to adopt the holder, bringing it to the attention of a wider audience. Dylan's use of the harmonica holder was a key component of his distinctive sound, and he often used it during his live performances and recordings. The holder's popularity continued to grow throughout the 60s and 70s, with the likes of Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, and it became an essential tool for many singer-songwriters and harmonica players.

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone (Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1965)

Use Suggestions and Ideas

Now that we’ve covered the genesis of this great tool, let’s delve into a few ways that it can be used, as tried and tested by some of our staff and customers here at Eagle Music. May it spark your creativity and inspire your playing.

As a solo singer-songwriter playing open mics or acoustic sets, a harmonica holder is a great way to introduce novelty in your set and add an extra melody layer, play a solo or fill in instrumental parts, which would normally only be possible with a second musician such as a lead guitarist or a fiddle player. Add a little bit of reverb and you would be surprised at how rich a sound you can get from such a small instrument and how much depth it can add to your set. 

Juzzie Smith - Introducing his One Man Band / 27.Grolsch Bluesfestival Schöppingen Germany 2018

Due to the size and nature of the harness, it is usually common to use diatonic harmonicas with a harmonica holder. The weight and the use of slider buttons on chromatic harmonicas would make it a harder fit for the purpose but it is not completely incompatible. The German manufacturer Seydel introduced the brilliant Non Slider, a chromatic harmonica that doesn’t require a slide thanks to an ingenious double mouthpiece design. Some tremolo harmonicas can also be used depending on their size.

If you are a songwriter, you might find that the intuitive playing of the diatonic harmonica might inspire great melodies whilst jamming on a piano or acoustic guitar for example. You can then transfer these arrangements to another instrument or build a vocal melody around it. It can be a great tool to stimulate your creativity.

So whether you’re a singer-songwriter needing an extra layer of melody in an acoustic set, a wannabe one-man band or want to be able to play the iconic Piano Man riff on harp whilst rocking that piano, the harmonica harness could be a great option for you.

Billy Joel - Piano Man (LIVE in Tokyo + Lyrics)

A few options

“What are some of the best harmonica harnesses available today?” I hear you ask. Have a look in our Harmonica Harnesses section to browse through our wide range but here are some of the top models from Hohner, Seydel, and K&M available on the Eagle Music website:

Seydel Gecko Harmonica Holder
This is one of the most innovative harmonica harnesses on the market today. It features a unique magnetic locking system that securely holds your harmonica in place, while also allowing you to easily switch between harps. The Gecko also has a flexible frame that adjusts to fit any body shape, making it a comfortable and customizable option for any player.

Hohner FlexRack Harmonica Holder
This harmonica holder features a flexible neck that allows you to adjust the angle and height of the harmonica to your liking. It's also easy to use, with a quick-release button that lets you quickly swap out harmonicas.

Konig & Mayer Deluxe Blues Harmonica Holder
A premium quality harmonica holder that offers maximum comfort and adjustability. It features a sturdy metal frame that holds your harmonica securely in place, and a padded neck strap that distributes the weight evenly across your shoulders. The holder can be adjusted to fit any size harmonica and is perfect for hands-free playing on stage or in the studio.

Konig & Mayer Black Professional Harmonica Holder
This harness is made of high-quality materials and is built to last. It features a sturdy metal frame that holds the harmonica securely in place, as well as a flexible neck that allows you to adjust the angle of the harmonica to your liking.

So, whether you're a blues legend or a modern-day musician, a harmonica harness can be a useful and actually quite stylish accessory to add to your artillery and expand your sound and creativity.

The best one for you will depend on your individual needs, budget and preferences.

Don't hesitate to browse our selection of harmonica harnesses and reach out to us for any questions or advice.

Happy playing from all of us at Eagle Music.