Sonny Boy Williamson ll's "The River Rhine"

[iversonneversleeps]

big wow!

[BigJimPope]

Great harpin! You definitely inspired me.

I ain't too shabby for a guy who's been playing for under 2yrs. I started playing harmonica in my room to my dog because of an ex girlfriend who broke my heart. NOW... I play bars and clubs with great musicians and big crowds regularly.

However, I live 20 minutes north of Manhattan and I still have not spent a much desired day with nothing but my harps and a MetroCard.

That's all about to change.

[studio7manga]

I was going to ask if that was in NYC but I see someone already asked. That was really good and the acoustics of the subway complemented the sound nicely. I've always liked the harmonica and I'm still envious of people that can play the damn thing, it's beyond meh however. XD Good stuff.

[ToddAllenGates]

1 of 3:

> That was really good ...

Thanks!

> I've always liked the harmonica and I'm still envious of people that can play the damn thing, it's beyond me however.

Piano is my main instrument, so it didn't too long for me to figure out simple wheezy folk-type stuff (Home on the Range, Bob Dylan material, etc.). But to learn to play blues harp took *much* longer ...

[ToddAllenGates]

2 of 3:

... I practiced off & on for over a year before I finally got the hang of producing anything close to the rich full sound of the blues masters. (And because I've stopped practicing, I'm STILL years away from being able to play the harp as well as I'd like to ... further developing my harp chops is on my post-parenthood To Do list.)

[ToddAllenGates]

3 of 3:

Anyway, my point is that yes, it takes lots of practice, but if you really want to learn it, don't let months of what seems like getting nowhere discourage you! (Also, there are lots of good blues harp tutorials here on YouTube to help get you started.)

[meatpackingdistrict]

Isn't that New York City's subway?? I love the city! Do you play there regularly?

[ToddGates]

> Isn't that New York City's subway??

Yes--it's in a Brooklyn station.

> Do you play there regularly?

No, I'm strictly amateur ... I only chose to record there because of the natural reverb of the subway station. (My other blues harp videos were recorded in a Brooklyn park by the entranceway of a tunnel, which also provided a full-sounding natural reverb.)

[pypermarru1]

I'm just mesmerized by your talent. Seriously Todd you are bad ass.

[ToddGates]

aww shucks thanx