PT Gazell interview

PT Gazell developed his melodic style of harmonica through playing a range of genres, from Bluegrass, to Pop, Country and Jazz.

After his iconic first album, Pace Yourself, he became a session musician and toured with Country bands before taking a prolonged break from playing due to his frustrations at the limitations of the diatonic harmonica. 

This led him to develop his Gazell Method half-valved diatonic, in partnership with the German manufacturer Seydel.

Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only).

http://www.ptgazell.com

If you're interested in purchasing a Gazell Method diatonic:
from within the US: http://www.ptgazell.com/gazell-method-harmonicas-1.html
outside the US: https://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Categories/Products/Specialities/PT-Halbventiliert

PT offers teaching either through the online course at Music Gurus:
http://www.ptgazell.com/online-instruction.html
Or you can email PT if you're interested in one-to-one tuition: info@ptgazell.com

Some of the equipment PT uses:
Audix Fireball V5 mic: https://audixusa.com/docs_12/units/FireBall_V.shtml
Bulletini mic: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/bulletini.html
Lone Wolf effects pedals: https://www.lonewolfblues.com


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Chapters

• 1:42 Origins
• 4:01 When started playing harmonica
• 4:54 Decision to pursue music as a career
• 5:59 Moved to Lexington and early musical influences
• 7:57 Pace Yourself album
• 13:54 Influence of Charlie McCoy
• 15:18 Started touring with Johnny Paycheck
• 18:59 Decided to give up playing harmonica for a spell
• 20:22 What brought PT back to the harmonica
• 23:54 The advent of half-valve playing for PT
• 24:58 What is half-valving?
• 27:08 Why PT plays half-valved harmonicas
• 32:23 Overblows / overbending comparison to half-valve playing
• 35:44 Development of Gazell Method diatonic
• 38:08 Comparison of half-valved diatonic with chromatic
• 39:23 What genre of music to use half-valved diatonic for
• 39:59 Can buy Gazell Method diatonic from Seydel
• 41:21 Swingin’ Easy and Hittin’ Hard album and playing jazz
• 43:50 Back To Back album with Brendan Power
• 45:28 Two Days Out album
• 46:51 Gazell Method range of harmonicas from Seydel
• 49:11 PT’s website shows keys of harmonicas used on albums
• 50:07 PT’s CDs have the tracks available without harmonica
• 50:50 Beatles Songs
• 51:28 A Madness To The Method album
• 52:18 Latest album: The Loft Sessions
• 53:21 Being a bandleader
• 53:43 Singing
• 54:07 Advice for upcoming bands
• 54:30 Chromatic harmonica
• 54:48 10 minute question
• 55:28 Teaching
• 56:14 Harmonica of choice
• 56:28 Favourite key of harmonica
• 56:46 Different tunings
• 57:08 Amplifiers and pedals
• 57:33 Embouchre
• 59:09 Future plans