Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed (Gussow.009)

[MichiganRay]

I looked at some of your videos a few months ago in the 100's. I just decided to go your #1 and start with you fresh. I've been playing for 15 years and I understand music. But I am getting something from every one of these. These are putting dressing on my cake. Thanks. I been getting board practicing. This has put new life in it. I started out putting vamps/more than one hole/back beat, in my playing, but got away from it over the years. Don't know why?

[Whipable123]

you are incredible!!! awesome!!!

[wafula1970]

I have had many breakthroughs in the last 3 + years trying to learn to play harp....but tonight was memorable! Really memorable. Able to bend my first 4 draw tonight.

I purchased the beginner set of QuickTime videos and I haven't made it all the way through even the first one, but the cobra analogy did it for me!  Thanks a million for that alone!!

[steamrollinstan]

Top lesson.

[MrPewpyNuts]

hey! i love your videos and they are helping me so much! i have a couple of problems though that i was hoping you might be able to help me with? so first of all, im trying to play with lip pursing, but i dount get ass good of a sound as i do when i u-block. do i just need to suck it up? haha and i want to get another harmonica, so i was wondering if i should get one in bflat like yours, or if i should get one in a, because my friend who plays a mean guitar loves jamming in e...

[Geetar2112]

One of the most useful lessons ever! This upload should win an award - this is what "giving it all away" is all about, Thanks yet again Adam. I hope to upload something for you and Jason one of these days, to say thanks ;)

[Gaudentic]

in what tone is gussow's harmonica?

[jand1957]

Bflat (Bb) I have a hohner special 20 in that key. Not expensive, very satisfying

[AndrewLovesThanh]

This is excellent. I swear Adam these lessons are the only reason I have learned anything from harmonica. All your lessons on youtube cause breakthroughs in my playing after watching each one for the 10th time. Thank you VERY much. When I am not a poor student anymore I will be sure to leave some money in your tip jar

[KudzuRunner]

I'm gratified by the process you outline, since it's the process that I myself followed: I listened to the tapes of the lessons I took with Nat Riddles many times, trying as hard as I could to figure out what he was doing. Often it took many listenings. You're on the path and marching forward!

[harmonicaPlz]

i have a C harp and an old B-flat. i can play and bend the 2 draw without any trouble on the C harp, but i cant get the 1 draw and the 2 draw to sound anything like it should on the B flat harp. is it because of poor technique or is it more likely its because the harp is old?

[kguntherb]

b flats are usually easy to play its probably the reeds. i would get a new one if i was you.

[lizardmantsc]

Has anyone managed to transcribe most of the opening : 1:05 - 1:46

I think I've watched this video about 20 times and So far and I get about as far as:

123-Bluethird

123-2draw -2draw bend - 1draw - 2draw

and then i get lost and kinda improv and somtimes loose the rythm. has anyone gotten further ?

[Vienwl462]

Cant you kind of get the idea with a different note harmonica and it will just sound different?

[chogus]

Hey Doc,

Thanks for all the great lessons! I'm actually quite the newbie and I was wondering...

I'm following with a C harp. In terms of following along with he lessons, will I be able to produce similar sounds as you? I've been trying Sonny's rhythm but it doesn't quite sound right...is is possible to do it on the C harp? My guess is probably, and I just need more practice :)

[KudzuRunner]

You need a B-flat harp in order to play along with any of my early lessons--meaning 95% of them--that I recorded on a B-flat harp. A C harp won't cut it. You need the key of harp that the guy you're trying to copy is playing. No ifs, ands, or buts.

[Ledvolta]

Really great lesson, Adam. I've seen it many times! Thanks.

[anon540]

I never had a problem with the 2 hole, but lately I seem to have developed issues with the 3 hole. I can get a 3 hole bend easy enough, but getting an unbent 3 hole is difficult, and once I do it's very weak.

It's weird because I could play it just fine when I started.

I'm finding that if I keep my nose open I can play it, but again it sounds rather weak.

[grenmastert2]

i had that exact same problem when i learnt how to do a strong clear tone on the 2 draw. i realised today that in my case i was being to wimpy with the 3 draw try drawing hard from your diaphram and make a sort of K sound in the back of your throat youl find your probs playing the blue thrid then simply think the note back up into tune.

[anon540]

I don't know, trying louder doesn't help much. Actually it seems like if I do try bending I end up playing both the blow and draw reeds. Maybe I need to readjust it.

[penfifteenclub]

Adam, Fernando says hello and he's hoping you are keepin' the blues hot.

I just got a hold of the 123 draw to 3 draw, then the 123 back to the 2 draw riff, and a huge smile stressed across my face. Felt great! But then I tried to play the second half of that lick. What is that? Is it a bent 2 down to a 1, back to a 2 blow? My ear is just not far along yet, can ya spell it out for me!

[luizzfar]

I think he is going:

123 draw to half step bent 3 draw

123 draw to 2 draw

bent 2 draw to 1 draw to 2 draw

1 draw to bent 2 draw

123 draw to bent 2 draw

123 draw to 2 draw

[Bobarazzo]

Adam, Awesome lesson!

I recently purchased a Special 20 b-flat and I'm having difficulties getting that 2-hole draw to bend. Any advice? Is it just that I need to break it in?

[KudzuRunner]

See the FAQs page at Modern Blues Harmonica (dot) com.

[hohner2010]

@KudzuRunner hi adam, i am in need of a few tips, im teaching myself sonny terry an sonny williamson and cant seem to follow simple patterns i.e. 234 blow 5 draw 4 blow and so on but playing them at a faster speed is a problem for me as i slur notes together and sound crappy, is their any method you can teach me with and also when will you be going over some of PEG LEG SAM'S chuggs???

[streetzac]

awesome!

[JohnnyT68]

Hello Mr Gussow,

I'm, since a week, the proud owner of a MB Bb, and it sounds great, but i'm having some troubels with the sharp edges under and above the holes. They really hurt my lips. Is that because of me doing wrong or do you know of that prob. I wanna file them away, but don't know if i ruin my harp.

I'd like to mention that this lesson above is hard, but i think crucial for me.

Hope to meet you on september 25th in Amsterdam and attend your workshop

Thanks and greetings, Jan.

[KudzuRunner]

That's never been a problem for me, so I'm not sure what to advise. I don't think you should file them away. Maybe you should post about this on my blues harp forum at modern blues harmonica (dot) com.

[Cyclonebg]

I've found that if my harp isn't wet enough my mouth won't slide on it and the edges do start to hurt my lips. Try to keep it lubed up and you shouldn't have that dragging problem where the edge starts bruising your lip...

[mgsol123]

hey is it possible to learn and practice from ur videos with C diatonic?

[KudzuRunner]

Well, not really. A skilled player could translate, I imagine, but 95% of players would be much better off just purchasing a B-flat, which would take you through many of the lessons.

[mgsol123]

thanks verry much!!! first thing ill buy a B flat for your lessons

btw...is there a harp that is known as the best for blues?

[Smeddog1]

Awesome! Thats the answer I was looking for!! I was using a C andwasn't quite making thesounds you were. I'll get one a.s.a.p. is there a preferred brand harp I should get?

[rizdraver]

Adam, again, this is a curious less because the subtleties you were picking up from Nat were simply the subtleties of tongue-blocking (phantom chords of tongue-slaps). You simply translated them into a pucker style. Neat stuff!

[YoppyKyabetsu]

I just found these this morning, sadly harp free at the office. Just want to say that I can't wait to run through these with harp in hand.

Also want to acknowledge you as the analogy king. They come from all over the place, and they are always spot on. Makes the lessons not only clearer, but more entertaining to boot.

Thanks for giving it all away. More people need to give as much as they take.

[KudzuRunner]

The analogy king. I like that. Yes, I do throw a lot of them out there, hoping that one or two of them will suddenly turn on the proverbial light in the student's head. Sometimes I go a little overboard with the analogies, I'm sure.

[KudzuRunner]

B-flat harp.

[fakex]

pff... i just bought one harp but it's just 'B'.. b-major i guess.. while trying playing while watching you play, doesnt really sound different.. but i guess i should bought a B-flat to make my life easier? thanks for ur lessons

[schrumpler]

yeah, but i'm quite sure, that u are older than me and that you had a little more time to learn it. i became 17 a month ago and i want to learn playing the harp right now. not in years when i had been to all the countries, where i can lean to understand english better!

[schrumpler]

yeah you're right. but i didn't mean that i'm absolutely bad in english, but for me as an austrian, who speaks german it's hard to understand every single word because i learned british english. moreover i've managed it to bend yesterday.

[schrumpler]

yeah you're right. but i didn't mean that i'm absolutely bad in english, but for me as an austrian, who speaks german it's hard to understand every single word because i learned british english. moreover i've managed it to bend yesterday.

[schrumpler]

hey adam first of all i want to say, that i really enjoy watching your lessons, becaus you're a great teacher! but please help me! im from austria(not australia) and my english ist'nt good enough to understand every word, that you're saying!

i can't understand anyhow, how to bend. i don't even know anything about bending.

i'd love to hear from you again!

greetings robert

[codica666]

The most difficult thing besides bending the 2hole draw so far down (which I manage to do now) is the fast change from an unbent note to a strongly bent one (getting much better at it). My biggest problem (have that on all 1/2/3-draw lessons) is breathing. I constantly end up having too much air in my lungs.

Oh and Adam: you're the best!

[QQJJz]

I had the same problem with this. The best way to do it i have found is to start out needing air in your lungs and take it at a slow pace. If you keep doing that your body gets used to the riff and will be more effiecent performing it which will give you some time to pull that air in on the out chord.

[skycarl]

Wow,,, this is great. What a find!

Thanks so much. Looking forward to following this whole series.

Sky

[GIDAWGS]

Hello Adam: I will see you in March in Mississippi at one of Gindick's jamcamps. I am excited about attending. I love your videos but, I have a dilemma; I never know what key you're playing. I try to practice alomg with you but obviously doing so in the key of C when you are playing in some other key makes that difficult. Can you mention in the YOUTUBE title or at the beginning what key the lesson will be instructed in? This way I can try and mimmick in the same key. Thanks.

[KudzuRunner]

Go to my website, modernbluesharmonica dot com, and go to the page marked YouTube Products. There's a free index download of almost all the lessons, with keys listed.

[MisterPignose]

I've been listening to these videos at work so that I can lock in on my favorites. This is one of them.

[KudzuRunner]

Several reasons. You can slide into it from a bend, which sounds nice, and draw notes in general are louder. Also it helps facilitate chord rhythms.

[Philosofy1]

Damn, these last two lessons have proved that I am WAY too white! I gotta work on those rythms! I can do them for a couple go rounds, then I lose it all!

Thanks Adam! You've improved my harp playing more in two weeks than I have in the last 18 years! (And I've been playing for 20!)

[KudzuRunner]

Well, I'm glad to have helped you on your journey. Play that funky music!

[ranashley]

Help!!!! Adam,at 7:20 part of this video you demonstrated the technique used to play the lick at the beginning of the video. You said to start on an open cord, tounging 1,2,3 then narrowing your mouth down and tounging 2. I'm just not getting it. I think that the part that's confusing me is the tounging 1,2,3 and then the 2. If there is anything that you add that might help, I would appreaciate it. Thanks, Randy

[KudzuRunner]

Breathe in; whisper "da di-da di-da" as you breathe in, making those sounds by letting the tip of your tongue lightly stroke the roof of your mouth. Now, as you do that, narrow and widen your embouchure slightly, so that you're alternately making a 2 draw and a 123 draw....

[cobra12657]

If you live near Brockton, Mass. I can teach this.

[HowlingWolf99]

Adam , Thanks again for these brilliant lessons. I get so excited I want to punch the wall and jump up and down, because I am making headway, slowly but surely. I am enjoying myself and learning. Top playing top teaching, Graham.

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks, Graham. Your comments are gratifying to me, because true harp-learning does release great quantities of energy. Small instrument, big happiness.

[jorabado]

Hi adam, do like your lessons and care that you take over detail, in short I think your a saint. Well done indeed your a true efinado with great energy. Big thanks x 1000

[Seankwik]

Adam,

what is the riff you are doing at the 2:36 mark - "Back down to the one"? Is it 2D, 2Db, 1D, 1D?

Thanks

[dragoneti67]

I've been trying to play take the long way home by supertramp for years and everytime I try all the cats in the neighbourhood gather on my window doing the same. Does anyone know the real riffs for this song I have found some on line but they sound like a song for kids.

[chieftanzzz]

its here it is on You tube

Type "Bow river Cold Chisel" in the searh

[chieftanzzz]

Hey Adam Have you heard David Blight he plays a Lot of solo pieces for Cold Chisel an Australian Band. One of my Fav's is a song called Bow River worth listening to. Keep it tutorial up its great and thanks Mate

[samzie67]

hiya adam, sometimes its difficult to tell if your drawing or blowing. but its still great fun. am i the only one who thinks you look like the comedian Steve Martin! p.s. keep this up you are a brilliant teacher!

[KudzuRunner]

Yes, you're the only one. Usually I get Hall (of Hall & Oates, Rob Lowe, David Stockman (with my glasses)

[tebk]

Man, Steve Martin and David Stockman notwithstanding, you're dead-up Dirty Harry with a better haircut.

[Erikjr21]

i run out of air two but i think if i practice maybe i can fix it its going to take me awile to get through these videos there so informative right now im watcing them just to watch them there awsome

[MontereyKid]

KudzuRunner -

I am so glad to have found your lessons. I love the blues and just want to thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Please keep on rocking out the blues!

Thank you!!!!

[KudzuRunner]

Whenever a particular harp pattern, rhythm or melody, cause you to run out of breath, the problem is always caused by the failure to take an outbreath or inbreath at the appropriate time--and it is always solvable.

[mrrickhein]

I quickly run out of breath on this one. I am used to lip pursing, so now there is too much air. Thanks,Rick

[mrrickhein]

Thanks! I have a 30 minute commute, an hour a day practice time towards getting that breathing and rythym down. May take a few miles. Rick

[lianxin0216]

up! 顶!

[66rich66]

One the very best lessons on the subject. thanks for keeping the aural tradition of passing down the harp info (even if it is electronic) alive and well... gottta say many thanks...

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks. You've really gotten what I'm trying to do. I think the front seat of a car is the natural venue for this sort of thing. But living in Mississippi as I do, I may explore other options. As long as they don't involve drinking on camera, I can probably avoid being fired from my day gig as a state employee.

[dwest1000]

I learned to bend all the low notes in one day by sitting in the car waiting on my wife to shop in the outlet stores. :-)

After resting a day, by cracky, I could bend consistently and as desired.

A week later the shopping muse visited upon her once again.

As before, I sat in the car all day while she shopped, learning to direct bend.

The car is a very good place to learn, entertain one's self (with the harp of course), and teach :-)