Children's harmonic workshop set for May

tuscumbia - It's been called a harp, a Mississippi sax or a delta sax, in reference to the Mississippi Delta region.

It's still the harmonica, probably the most inexpensive musical instrument available.

Veteran harmonica player Addison Hitchcock said the humble harmonica is sometimes referred to as the "Rodney Dangerfield of musical instruments," because it gets no respect.

Nevertheless, Hitchcock and fellow members of the Shelby Harmonica Players Society will visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in May for a children's harmonic workshop.

"Bluzkat's Harmonica Jam" will be May 10 and is sponsored by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in conjunction with Bluzkat/Pawz for Music.

Pawz For Music was established as a nonprofit charity organization in 2007 with the mission is to inspire children to enter the world of music and expand the scope of music education. Pawz For Music introduces young children to the world of jazz, blues, soul and Southern rock.

The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to children 8 through 12.

The $20 registration fee includes the workshop, admission to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and cake and refreshments after the workshop.

The admission fee will benefit the hall of fame.

Participants also can attend the unveiling of the Taylor Hicks American Idol exhibit at the hall of fame.

Participants will receive a Hohner harmonica with a case, a specially designed Bluzkat instruction book and a surprise gift from Taylor Hicks.

"Taylor gave us some new items to (include) in the 'American Idol' showcase," said Dixie Connell, the museum's director of marketing and education

programs.

She said the showcase already has items donated by 2005 "American Idol" runner-up Bo Bice and from Hicks, but so far no items belonging to 2003 "Idol" winner Reuben Studdard.

"We're doing this thing to honor Taylor Hicks," Hitchcock said. "Over the years, Taylor has used the harmonica very effectively with his music."

Connell said Hicks has donated such items as the sport jacket he wore during his "American Idol" appearances, a robe he used during the "American Idol" tour and, of course, a harmonica.

Connell said the workshops dovetail with the Hall of Fame's education mission.

Hitchcock said it is possible to learn to play a simple song on the harmonica very quickly. He's sometimes amazed at how quickly musically inclined children can pick up the instrument and immediately start making music from it.

Hitchcock will be one of the instructors and will be joined by fellow society member Tommy Bounds, a frequent winner of harmonica competitions.

Another player he expects to attend is 11-year-old Jakob Blankenship, who was just 8 when Hitchcock began teaching him. He can now play about 30 tunes, Hitchcock said.

JoAnn Freda, public relations director for Bluzkat, said Hicks "always wanted to be the ambassador for music education."

"We want to educate children in all instruments," Freda said. "We're starting with the harmonica because of Taylor."

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.