Tony Maguire - 'The Mouth from the South' Harmonica workshops: Ron tries out his musical talent in the Adelaide City region of South Australia

In a previous life this red brick landmark on North Terrace known as the Lion factory reverberated to the sound of heavy machinery as mill workers prepared SA flour for the markets of the world.

But these days, Tony Maguire playing the harmonica and legendary South Australian guitarist Chris Finnen provide a bluesy accompaniment that would have kept the old Lion Factory employees' toes tapping throughout their shifts.

"The harmonica goes back to about 1820," explained Tony. "A German guy invented the first harmonica and by the mid 1850s Hohner were manufacturing and exporting them to the States. And when the harmonica reached the States people started playing it in a different way."

Tony Maguire's was in town to promote the harmonica workshop at Fowlers Live. As part of the beginners' session, those with a love of the blues harp - as it's also known - will be go through the basics learning to play "straight harp" techniques.

Here the emphasis is on blowing out and playing what are called the "blow notes" - those that equate with the white keys on the piano. It was a style perfected by the European originators of this new musical form. But when the harmonica made it's way to the States the Americans would bend it to their will.

"When you draw in it's more the equivalent of the black keys on the piano so you get the beautiful blue notes", said Tony.

Tony Maguire - 'The Mouth From The South' - will be conducting harmonica workshops with Chris Finnen at Fowlers Live at the old Lion Arts Centre on North Terrace on Sunday November the 11, 2007. To book contact Tony on 0402 388 742.

Tony Maguire - 'The Mouth from the South'
Harmonica workshops
Fowlers Live
Lion Arts Centre
North Terrace
Sunday November 11, 2007
Contact Tony 0402 388 742.

Published 14th October 2007