This tiny instrument had a part to play in Kansas City’s celebration of Make Music Day

Kansas City shares a special spot in the pantheon of U.S. music cities. Its contributions to Jazz are known around the world. KC Jazz led Kansas City to be named as one of the UNESCO Cities of Music. On Friday, the city joined another global list of cities that celebrate music.

Friday was Make Music Day, a worldwide celebration of music that encourages people to participate in making music or to enjoy musical performances.

The event is held in more than 1,000 cities across at least 120 countries according to Make Music Day organizers. Kansas City’s participation included more than 150 musical events scheduled around the metro. Anyone could join in on music workshops or take in the many performances taking place throughout the day. The local event is coordinated by Kansas City Parks and Recreation.

During a musical workshop at the Lakeside Nature Center, Russ “KidMan” Schenke introduced the Mississippi saxophone, the harmonica, to a small group during the Hohner Harmonica Experience for Beginners as part of Make Music Day. As he began his clinic, his passion for the instrument radiated throughout the pavilion.

Schenke disassembled a harmonica for observers, describing the simple mechanisms that produce the instrument’s distinct sound: the comb and reed plates that remain hidden within the harmonica. Though musicians can choose from a variety of different types of harmonicas, Schenke primarily discussed the standard 10-hole diatonic harmonica. Harmonicas were provided for participants by Hohner Harmonica.

A Chicago native inspired to pick up harmonica by listening to the blues, Schenke now plays in the Kansas City blues scene and shares the versatility of the harmonica through demonstrations and clinics. He also hopes to dispel the notion that the harmonica is a simple kids’ instrument by introducing others to the variety of styles to which the harmonica can adapt and by discussing the musicians who have inspired him.

Beginner harmonica players of all ages sat in the shade beneath a pavilion outside the Lakeside Nature Center, as Schenke introduced the small, yet powerful and expressive harmonica. Kids picked up the instrument for the first time, as Schenke guided them from producing short train whistle-like notes to chords and short melodies. Adults with some prior harmonica experience learned more about playing different rhythms and other techniques, including bending, a technique that allows a player to lower the pitch of a note and add notes to the harmonica’s range that can’t be produced simply by blowing into the instrument.

Schenke went on to show how the addition of an amplifier, a technique common in blues and blues-inspired styles, can transform the harmonica into a lead instrument. Many harmonica players prefer an amplifier that slightly distorts the sound, giving the notes a “fatter” sound.

By the end of the workshop, budding musicians at Lakeside Nature Center came away knowing a little more about the small but mighty harmonica. One of the tiniest instruments was not forgotten on this day when all were encouraged to appreciate music no matter where it came from.