Softwerker Bayern and the gallery of chromatic folk music

On the level of folk music I present how to use a simple instrument to show the interested visitor the different possibilities.

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Several years ago I spent some time in an alpine valley on a summer holiday and vacation trip. To get to know the country and its people, I walked from farm to farm, introduced myself and played my chromatic harmonica to the inhabitants.

Finally, the time came when I was asked the following questions:"Are you the guest who makes music?" or "Host dei Foznhobel with you?"

In 1982 I was with a local friend at the Tirolerhof in Taisten. The friend promised me that the local landlord often played several songs on his button organ on Sunday mornings. Until then, I could play a few tunes with my chromatic harmonica.

Finally it turned out that the host was not even in the house. But the son could do a few songs, he could already play two or three pieces, they said. When I heard the sound of the instrument, I was so impressed and inclined to throw my harmonica in the trash.

Then an elderly gentleman from the back bench bowed over to me and said:"No, no, you don't." Your game's all right. The two instruments cannot be compared because they belong to two different categories. You know what, my vacation's over tomorrow. I say goodbye in a small circle. I'll invite you over, and then we can play one or two together.

Of course I was at the Tyrolean court the next evening and I was expecting the biggest surprise of my life. An elderly gentleman, who is celebrating his farewell this evening, invited me, to take part in the farewell party. Where is the event taking place I asked the waitress. She showed me the way to the small hall, where I was greeted friendly by the landlord and his wife, a mixed choir, who was here on holiday and the elderly gentleman who had invited me. In short, the music was gathered here, which should last until the next morning after 02:00 o' clock and nobody was personally known to me until that time.

The owner, who was also a builder and mayor of Taisten, spent his vacation in Freilassing, where his friend and musician taught him the finer points of the harmonica game. The two of them alternated playing music pieces or playing rehearsed songs together. In between the choir sang, it was uplifting. Finally, I was allowed to play several times, was accompanied by the elderly gentleman and the people present danced to it.

Then we talked for a while, although I initially assumed that I was facing a music teacher for keyboard instruments or something similar. A march he played me with an excellent performance manner made me feel like I was listening to a whole orchestra. The fact that his instrument could not be bought in every music store made him smile. The additional basses suggest a custom-made version, I noticed. He had made this instrument especially for himself, so that he had all the notes available to him, no matter which piece he played. I looked at him questioningly. He is the Georg Öllerer, harmonica maker from Freilassing (Bavaria). That was dignified and I was honoured to be invited by such a fine person to an evening of music farewell to be able to actively participate.

Image © Softwerker (org | info) - 28 October 2015

Text © Softwerker.bayern - 31 August 2016

updated - 09 September 2016

updated - 03 February 2017

updated - 19 March 2017

updated - 19 September 2017

updated - 26 February 2018