An Exclusive Interview with Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan talks to Scott Emmerman,
Director Of Marketing and Sales for Hohner USA
Bob Dylan, the venerated American singer-songwriter, author, poet and disc jockey, has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. During his career, Bob Dylan has won awards for his songwriting, performing, and recording, earning him eleven Grammys (and a Lifetime Achievement Award), Kennedy Center Honors and an Academy Award. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2008, Bob Dylan was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”
When did you get started playing harp?
“When I was in high school”
Which came first for you, the guitar or the harp?
“The guitar”
Having played both wood & plastic comb harmonicas, which do you prefer & why?
“I like the more natural feel of the wood”
Who are some of your main musical influences on harmonica?
“Wayne Raney, Little Walter, & Jimmy Reed”
What are some of your personal favorite harmonica tunes performed by other artists?
“Roller Coaster” by Little Walter, “Going Down the Road” by Woody Guthrie, & “Freight Train Boogie” by the Delmore Bros. featuring Wayne Raney"
Tell us about your experiences with the harmonica “rack.” When did you first start using one?
“When I was performing solo in coffee houses. I got the approach from Woody Guthrie … it really gave a coffee house performer more variety to be able to keep the rhythm on guitar while playing the harp.”
How did you adapt your playing style when using it?
“Well, you play a more chordal thing, as opposed to the single note style of folks like Little Walter.”
Does the harmonica play a role in your songwriting process?
“No”
How do you feel your harmonica playing has influenced today’s players?
“I’m not sure it has”
Are there any young harmonica players today that capture your attention?
“Not really. But I hope one comes along soon.”
What advice would you give to a beginning harp player?
“Listen to Little Walter, Wayne Raney and Jimmy Reed!”