Competitions
The competitions are for different types of harmonica instruments and are sometimes subdivided into different stylistic categories such as classical, jazz or blues. They offer amateur players the unique opportunity to measure their instrumental skills against other players in a fair contest. Clearly defined criteria help the jury of experts (generally professional harmonica players) to adjudicate the competitors' performances correctly and analytically.
In previous years the competitions have witnessed some remarkable musical achievements which only serve to underline the fascination of the harmonica.
As is usual in such contests, all contestants receive certificates signed by the jury leader and the president of the festival. Attractive prizes await the winners of the individual categories.
In the end however, what really counts is the joy of playing the harmonica as part of a great event. Being there is everything!
Categories
Chromatic Solo instruments
Category 1a/b:
Solo chromatic
(Youth / Adult)
(own choice piece; max. 8 minutes)
live accompaniment is permitted (max. 1 accompaniment instrument e.g. piano); no playback allowed
Please note: The festival organization provides "no" piano accompaniment. Participants must take care of their own accompanying musician.
Category 2:
Solo chromatic with > test piece
(own choice piece; max. 12 minutes)
live accompaniment is permitted (max. 1 accompaniment instrument e.g. piano); no playback allowed; test piece with piano accompaniment
Please note: The festival organization provides "no" piano accompaniment. Participants must take care of their own accompanying musician.
Category 3:
Solo chromatic, Jazz
(own choice piece; max. 6 minutes)
playback accompaniment is permitted. (Audio CD; playback without harmonica)
Diatonic Solo instruments: instrumental or playback accompaniment is permitted (Audio CD; playback without harmonica)
Category 4:
Solo diatonic (Richter), Blues/Rock/Folk/Country
(own choice piece; max. 6 minutes)
Category 5:
Solo diatonic (Richter), Jazz/Melodiespiel
(own choice piece; max. 6 minutes)
Category 6:
Solo diatonic, Tremolo-/Octave instrument
(own choice piece; max. 6 minutes)
Duos, Trios and Groups - without accompanying instruments
Category 7a/b:
Duos (two harmonica players); without additional instruments;
(Youth / Adult)
(own choice piece; max. 6 minutes)
Category 8a/b:
Trios (Chromatic, Bass-, Chord-harmonica); without additional
instruments;
(Youth / Adult)
(own choice piece; max. 6 minutes)
Category 9a/b:
Group (4-11 players);
(Youth / Adult)
(own choice piece; max. 8 minutes)
Harmonica Orchestras
Category 10:
Harmonica orchestra (at least 12 harmonica players)
> possibly accompanied by other instruments such as guitar, piano, accordion, percussion, …; Harmonica orchestra may allow not more than 1/3 of non harmonica players
(own choice piece; max. 10 minutes)
Category 11:
School orchestras (at least 12 harmonica players; born 2009 or
later)
> possibly accompanied by other instruments such as guitar, piano, accordion, percussion, …; Harmonica orchestra may allow not more than 1/3 of non harmonica players
(own choice piece; max. 10 minutes)
Open Category – possibly accompanied by other instruments
Category 12:
Open category: any given combination, however: at least one harmonica (lead-instrument); with or without accompaniment instruments
Attention: it is not allowed to participate in the Open Category if the instrumental combination fits into an official offered category, e.g. trio with chromatic harmonica, bass and chord > have to play in Cat. 8; or chromatic solo with /without accompaniment > have to play in Cat. 1 or Cat. 2 or Cat. 3
(own choice piece (max. 10 minutes)
(content is subject to change without notice)