Walter Horton

[MrMelodiousThunk]

WOW! This is GREAT!! Where did this come from? Is there any more?!?! Thank you so very much for sharing!

[blueshaker1000]

Thank you so much for this. It's true it was just like a private lesson, watching Walter's hands just then I have just learned so much. The video of him in Copenhagen is a study in soulful playing not to be missed.

[brownj2]

A master of the harp.

[bluezrod]

listening to this guy many years ago, was my introduction to the blues. just amazing

[seaharp1]

the best video ever...seriously...he just gave the best lesson on how to play the harp...just the hand movements alone are incredible by them self...love this

[aloliver331]

this is the best Big Walter video I've found. So intimate, like a private lesson

[hillspring13]

Gold dust! Pure gold! Humbling to see the greats in action in such a human setting * * * * *

[blogward]

Nice post!

[belleray2]

Just too good ! What a credit to the blues harp. Gives us a bit of a bench mark. Thank you for that posting and will be watching that all night hoping some of that talent rubs off.

[cravenmoorrrrrrrrr]

Unreal, we all wanna be this good, what key is he in and then he does a quick harp change...mr mentor of all harpers on display.

[cedricleecason]

@cravenmoorrrrrrrrr he is in the Key of E. He's playing an A harp in second position. Root note at the two hole draw!

[strawwoodclaw]

wheres the sound gone? wottadowner!

[cedricleecason]

I love little walter sounds but big walter...the man!

[aloliver331]

I love how he open out the front, and then out of the side of his hands, and gets two distinct tones. By the way, Hortons "John Henry" off the Hot Cottage recording (at 43 seconds) is any absolutely perfect recording, highly recommended. No one can handle that bent three, up to the four, down again like that! So simple, so perfect.

[indiegentleman]

buen boogie-blues. en que tunning esta la harmonica?

[OtisSpain]

Tocan en Mi, así que la armónica debería ser "A", porque parece 3º posición...

Bueno, a mí también me gusta el Pequeño Walter, naturalmente, pero lo de Mr Horton es muy fuerte. Tenía algo que poquísimos músicos tienen: una VOZ en el instrumento, un sonido (tone) propio identificable al instante con sólo una o dos notas, como Armstrong, Miles, BB King o Albert Collins. Virtuosos hay unos cuantos. Big Walter, sólo uno.

[azfireman25]

Hey everyone

so lovely! aJ

[Mojokane4u]

Great example of genius. In my humble opinion, this is one of the most touching vidoes I have ever seen of Big Walter...more please. And what a lucky cat, who got to jam with him...that certainly appeared to be an ad lib spontaneous 2 minute workshop on,

"How I get my tone", by The MAN.

[madogblue]

That's Ronnie Earl on the Guitar.

[blues4sale]

Thanks for sharing the video... just like Walter shared his music!

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

You know what I see right at the very end of this video? Modesty. Walter doesn't look big headed like so many good players you see today. Not false modesty either - which some present day players absolutely reek of - just damn great blues harp playing and a quiet modest look at the end. Now that's class!! There are a lot modern day harp players out there who could learn a real lesson in genuine modesty from this great man.

[BigAlexB1Blues]

My friends who knew him personally all said he had the biggest heart.

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

And the biggest talent.

[casu3]

@BlindLemonJaffaCake yes a modest and shy man dont talk much but play like hell

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

One of the greatest blues harp players of all time. The magnificent Walter Horton. Much missed but never ever forgotten.

[BigAlexB1Blues]

Agree.

[cedricleecason]

I believe this is part of our heritage because it developed in slavery times along with spiritual songs.Wihtout the blues and spiritual songs, music would not be want it is today.

[zanzibu]

pastor sir- please watch george harmonica smiths -- I'm leaving chicago-- I feel the holy ghost present watching that man playing...with respect to you!!

[cedricleecason]

Yes, I've seen it...I like George stuff as well.He had intense feeling.

[cedricleecason]

Big Walter...love it! Im a preacher, but I love to hear Big Walter anytime.

[RobeeMan]

It's cool that you like Big Walter but judging by your comment you probably think that the Blues is the devil's music.I hope I'm wrong!

[Ledvolta]

Thanks for post. Big Walter rules. What does he say at the start?

[RobeeMan]

"So I make my sound...I makes my sound with my hands.Any tone that I want to get I make it with my hands."

[missmymissy]

What great Talent.

[harpfelt]

this is the kind of thing i want to see,got any more man

[jfriesen11]

SO GREAT!!! Is that Key of G played first position on a G harp??? Can't play those lower notes on my G harp!!! What's he playing???? I'm confused....

jfriesen

[RobeeMan]

He's playing an A harp, 2nd position.Key of E.

[missmymissy]

That was a A harp.

[macdaddie55]

great piece of history there bro!! he's got all those tone .. in his hands. is that Ronnie Earl on guitar?

[BigAlexB1Blues]

Thank you for your comment. Yes that's Ronnie Earl. Good Day.

[superbluesman]

everytime i hear big walter ,this harp genius,i rest captured by his beauty tone, sound and diabolic unlimited musical creativity.horton !the best ever!i play the blues, i play the harp too but in front of this helluva player, i feel myself just as an old men that try to fuck!

[lurkia]

LORD HAVE MERCY!! HIS THE MAN..

[BigAlexB1Blues]

You speak wisdom, Lurkia. Thank you.

[31683909]

Big Walter´s acustic tone...is and will be the best! Viva Walter Horton. Thank you

Regards from Argentina

[BigAlexB1Blues]

Thank you.

Chicago,IL

[FlowersBirdArtist]

Wow! I love that kind of sound of a harmonica. Thanks for sharing this video. 5*

[BigAlexB1Blues]

Sweet sweet sweet tone... Thank you.

[hausenharry]

like a grandfather!!

[hausenharry]

luv ya!!!

[danielvalentino]

what a jem of a video! more please...

[2HoleDraw]

Old 'Shakey' Horton was always the best. You can keep your other Walters and Sonny Boys, just give me Big Walter's blues every time.

Love this vid, 5 stars. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

[BigAlexB1Blues]

BIG HEART, BIG TONE...BIG WALTER.

Thank you for your kind words.

[hbvold]

This is the best harmonica lesson you can get!! Big walter is my all time favorite. I love this man

[BigAlexB1Blues]

I agree with you 100%. He was a good man they tell me with a big heart. Long live Walter Horton. Thank You.

[Bluesswede]

Awesome! Thank's for sharing this..

[BigAlexB1Blues]

Thank you, Bluesswede. Good Day.

[vibrolux56]

I believe that's Ronnie Earl on guitar

[BigAlexB1Blues]

Correct.

Thank you for watching.

[BLUEHARPER]

AWESOME, My man.Who is the guitar player?

[BigAlexB1Blues]

The guitar player is Ronnie Earl.

Thank you.

[RobeeMan]

This is just as good as a tutorial - or even better!Notice how Big Walter constantly changes the position of his hands to get a big variety of sounds and effects.

[BigAlexB1Blues]

I agree. I'm very fortunate to have two great friends that were friends with Walter Horton back in the late 70's and 80's.