Steve Baker - HOHNER Masters of the Harmonica - Part 1

He's one of the most respected figures of the European harp scene, regarded by many as a true grandmaster of modern blues harmonica with a highly individual style of his own: Steve Baker. Whether as a live performer, recording artist or as a studio musician, he has built an enviable reputation as a world class player, based on many years of hard work.
Apart from performing and recording he's an internationally renowned harmonica teacher. His instructional books are available in several languages and have taught people around the globe how to play harmonica. Steve has also presented workshops in Europe and in many other countries including Australia, Russia and the USA. In 2003 he founded the highly regarded Harmonica Masters Workshops in cooperation with Hohner and the town of Trossingen and is also artistic director of the World Harmonica Festival. He has worked for Hohner as a consultant since the late 1980s and has played a significant role in the development of several recent models including the Marine Band Deluxe, Marine Band Crossover and Marine Band Thunderbird.
Learn more about Steve in the video portrait:

[@sarbajitghosh5244]

When I was a school boy in my eight or ninth standard I wrote to the Hohner to send me a catalogue and price list of their harmonicas and accordions. There I got to know about Steve Baker for the first time. Few years later I collected an audio cassete where I listened to his playing for the first time. With cheaper chromatic harmonicas I picked up the blues mode. Anyway, he is one of my favourites among pop stars.

[@caracho1980]

I think he play in a way no one plays before on the harmonica. Steve combines all important and expressive techniques on the harmonica to form his own such orginal style...Steve is King to me on the harmonica!

[@CrossBonesAlex]

I love his opinion on the communicative aspects on playing and what he says about players who don*t have a flashy technique but who are expressive using only rudimentary skills. This is what music is all about - not showing off telling everybody who is the better or the best but really play together, talk with eacht other and having fun

[@srinivasata6241]

dear sir your playing is super...this is first time i am seeing you on NET...as i have started using it recently....thank you.....good luck....with regards....srinivas

[@herbster22]

I had the Honor of meeting Steve at SPAH 2013, He is an amazing player, and such a great guy! He took the time to encourage me and showed me some skills which are helping me improve. Unlike Steve, I picked up my first Harmonica at age 65! Thx Steve

[@cblanch]

Worth listening to Duster Bennett, the player Steve cites as a major early influence and who's material is well represented on CZcams ...Steve makes a lot of good points...

[@dan32113]

@ivansaric33 What you said hit the nail on the head! Music is alot more than a series of organized notes. Howard Levy being a prime example, he is an amazing technical player, but for me a soul less player. One of my heros is the Irish Guitar player Rory Gallagher, simply becasue he plays with such feeling/heart. He once said to be a great player technical ability isn"t enough, it needs to come from somewhere else. ps Sonny Terry is an awesome player, with a great vibe..

[@ivansaric33]

Very good points on music in general.
But, Sonny Terry is king.
I love the country sound of his syncopated chugs & rhythmic slurs. Nobody does it better.
Music for me isn't about a series of organized notes. It's gotta have a rhythm and be able to sound good on it's own.
I been working on his sound for 30 yrs.
My hair stands on end when it's sounding good....
I'm getting there :)

[@splashydash298]

Mmmm .... doesn't sound nearly as good as Fraser Speirs to me.