Apart from the mainstream, there are always people with extraordinary passions. Jens Ruppert from Petterweil is one of them.
Jens Ruppert has been playing the Styrian harmonica for more than two years. His vision: the alpine feel-good instrument should also make it better known and popular in the Wetterau. He would prefer if a lot of people would just try out making music with it. A part of his heart certainly belongs to the state of Bavaria and the way of life of the people there. You can tell from the rustic ambience of his party cellar in Klein-Karben.
Drawn to Folklore
Things really get down to business when Jens Ruppert picks up the Styrian harmonica. Then it almost seems as if it melts into one with the music. The thoroughbred musician suspects that one reason for the affinity for folklore could be his earlier vacations with his parents. They often went skiing in the mountains.
“During my active time as a handball player, we often organized Bavarian evenings at TV Petterweil,” says Ruppert. »Whenever and wherever I listened to folk music during this time, I had the feeling that one instrument appealed to me in particular. It was this particular sound that stood out and excited me. But then I pushed my personal starting point a few years ahead of me. “
In spring 2019 there was finally no stopping it. He had discovered the “Quetschn Academy” on the Internet. These are two men from Graz who reach several thousand people on their YouTube channel and put videos online for learning the Styrian harmonica in a separate member area. “I felt immediately addressed by that.
“Suddenly there was a great longing in me to be able to play this instrument too. On the same evening I booked a weekend to get to know each other in Graz. I didn’t have my own accordion back then, and I still can’t read sheet music today. At the beginning it felt as if Mount Everest was standing in front of me, «he reports from his early days.
In fact, the concept of the »Quetschn Academy« completely dispenses with grades. Everything has to be done in the head through the ability to memorize. However, like any other instrument, perseverance and dexterity are basic requirements for successful music-making. His first “squeeze” was sent to him from Graz after the first theory course. Coincidentally, it was the instrument that Ruppert held in his hand for the first time at this seminar. Ruppert knows that you have to wait nine months for a new product in this country. And there are hardly any upper limits when it comes to prices.
Accompanied by his children
His practice times are spread over the whole day. The self-employed physiotherapist can squeeze ten minutes between his patients and then play the songs through in the evening. He is sometimes accompanied by his children on the drums. Even in the Karben / Petterweil choir, where Ruppert is active as a singer, the Styrian is already included in the rehearsals.
Adrian Kehr from Poppenhausen in the Rhön found a like-minded person last year. The folk music enthusiast runs a harmonica shop there, is the founder of “Rhön Harmonika” and an official Quetschn Academy partner. Cooperatively, the men now want to make their favorite instrument more popular in the areas north of the Main line. And the chances are not that bad.
Now and again he comes into contact with harmonica enthusiasts from Hessen, says Jens Ruppert. “This music is happiness and relaxation at the same time for me. And it promotes health because it is something that is good for me. I believe that everyone can learn the Styrian harmonica. You just have to proceed systematically and really want to. “
Synonymous with country music
The adjective Styrian in the name of the instrument seems a bit misleading. Because the Styrian harmonica does not actually have its origin in Austrian Styria, but was invented in Vienna. There this type of alpine folk music was called Styrian, almost as a synonym for country music. Other common names are: Ziehharmonika, Knöpflharmonika, Zugorgel or in the dialect Ziach, Ziachorgel, Quetschn. jsl
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