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Amazing Affordances: Revealing the Idiomaticity of the Harmonica through a Classic Hymn
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Music, Media and Theater.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4336-3931
2025 (English)In: Amazing Grace at 250: Global Heritage and Contested Legacies / [ed] Martin V. Clarke; Gareth Atkins, Routledge, 2025, p. 181-198Chapter in book (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The New Britain tune for “Amazing Grace” has been recorded and performed by world-leading harmonica players from various genres. What is it about the simplicity of the melody of this hymn that seems to be irresistible to harmonica players? This chapter sheds light on how a simple melody elicits complex arrangements on the ostensibly simple diatonic harmonica. New Britain not only brings out the complexity of the harmonica but is also a perfect vehicle to showcase the voice-like expressiveness of the instrument, making the harmonica resemble a gospel singer. Furthermore, the tune opens a multitude of ways to harmonize the melody, from quite complex chord changes to a simple drone. The chapter draws on performances by three leading players, Joe Filisko, Buddy Greene, and Howard Levy, revealing how the combination of bending and playing in different positions has enabled multiple different explorations of the tune.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2025. p. 181-198
National Category
Music
Research subject
Musical Performance
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-114294DOI: 10.4324/9781003492580-13ISI: 001584842800012Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105014551231OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-114294DiVA, id: diva2:1988891
Note

ISBN for host publication: 9781003492580

Available from: 2025-08-13 Created: 2025-08-13 Last updated: 2026-04-07Bibliographically approved

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Bäckman, Mikael

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