Modern Blues Harmonica - The Upper Octave 1 (Gussow.030)

[joshshuffman]

i would point out that a lot of us spend most of our time on holes 1-6 because you TOLD us to.

js

[AriaStone]

Hi Adam. Thanks once again for your great lessons. I am really interested in expanding my playing to the higher register. The reeds on most of my harps seem to be blocked or stuck even when it's a new harp. Any suggestions or links regarding this? I am using Special 20's, Pro Harp and Blues Harp MS.

[KudzuRunner]

@Conf1ictz: Absolutely not. It's just important to know, when you're playing it, what scale degree you're playing (in cross harp, the 9th, or 2nd; in first position, the major 6th; in 3rd position, the 5th) and play it with an emphasis or finesses that reflects that musical meaning--rather than simply "wailing" and hoping that something productive happens in a musical sense. This is the difference between playing the instrument like a musician and just wimping out like a harp player.

[Conf1ictz]

@KudzuRunner thanks but for some reason i try to incorporate it into my playing(2nd position), and well maybe its just me, it sounds weird, then again, im fairly new at harp, been playing for only about a year

[elfbeard]

So check this out- I taped off holes 1-4 on my A harp. I'm officially determined to conquer my "fear"

of the upper octave. I have found when the going gets tough up there I gliss down to the 2-draw

into a familiar power move. My playing will never go anywhere new if I keep chickening out on the

high range stuff and playing stuff I'm already confident in. I recommend challenging yourselves this way

[KudzuRunner]

That's a good way to create a breakthrough. I hope others will think about doing what you've done.

[harpinbrad]

@elfbeard yeh thats a clever idea.. im a bit of a newbie. so that sounds cool. i have learnt all bruce springsteens riffs but i want to learn techniques like vibrato etc

[yaguarete167]

... that the most beautifull free playing i heard...

[JorgeAmarull]

Great... thanks a lot for every single lesson...

[bolan40]

great lessons you have posted. I wanting to get a harp myself, so my question is and you have probably heard this before, but which harp is the best to learn with as a total beginner and in which key. thanks mark

[fargetan]

If you go back a couple lessons, he mentions a D or a C harp in either order as your first, followed by F. . .

[tomybandepesade]

Hi again adam, hey quick question here, i'm on a lee oskar, in the key of c, and all holes from 7 to 10 are almost imposible to play, they get so...stuck, and dont even get me going on the changes...so my question here is, is it a reed thing, or should i adjust my mouth in an other way so i can pull out a better sound?

[KudzuRunner]

In general, when ALL the reeds don't play, it's you, not the harp. I think you need to work on your embouchure.

[dzanimal]

Priceless

[bettifamily]

With your upper octave playing, have you tried 'valving' the 8, 9 & 10 blow reeds? this will give draw bends on top octave? I use valves off my old chromatic; not too difficult to do..

[etfischer84]

How do you valve a harmonica? Do you have any ideas of where I can start?

[bettifamily]

open up an old chromatic. u will see the little plastic covers; they are the valves for the draw reeds (although they are covering the blow reeds. pick 1 that is simmillar size to the reed u will cover on the diatonic harp.

remove these carefully using a razor blade to use an old harp to practise this on. dont expect perfection the first time. rgds keri

[bettifamily]

seperate them from the brass plate.glue them on the diatonic as they were attached on the chromatic. re- assemble harp.

u will now be able to have draw bens on 8, 9 & 10 holes.

[bettifamily]

sorry my messd up reply. i tried cut the reply in half..

read the first 3 lines of oldest reply, then 2nd reply, then remainder of first.  confusing eh???

[tootscharmichael]

Really useful stuff. Just what I've been looking for. I need to get up to that top end more - your tuition is excellent. Thanks for sharing - I'm looking forward to seeing your other lessons.

Cheers!

Dave

[BlueVooch]

Adam, thank you... I often walk away from your lessons feeling like another question I've repeatedly asked about my harp over the years has been answered. It's uncanny but it's obvious you've been down the same road I'm traveling now. Some afternoon, I'll muster up enough courage to post my own video dedicated to you in appreciation for your guidance. Thanks again

[GFXerDave]

I only just subscribed to your Harp Lessons. So far Brilliant content mate!

Trying to Learn Harp in Australia can be a little bit of a bugger, since its so hard to find anyone who plays the harp let alone enjoys creating some sweet blues tunes.

I'm slowly starting to Learn my XB - 40 in the Key of C. Started off with a cheap Bluesband in the key of C and then got myself the XB - 40, which can have every note bent.

anyway, Thank you very much for creating these great learning Videos.

Cheers!

[KudzuRunner]

Glad to hear I've been a help. YouTube deserves much of the credit for bringing us together.

[GFXerDave]

I only just subscribed to your Harp Lessons. So far Brilliant content mate!

Trying to Learn Harp in Australia can be a little bit of a bugger, since its so hard to find anyone who plays the harp let alone enjoys creating some sweet blues tunes.

I'm slowly starting to Learn my XB - 40 in the Key of C. Started off with a cheap Bluesband in the key of C and then got myself the XB - 40, which can have every note bent.

anyway, Thank you very much for creating these great learning Videos.

Cheers!

[MADFERESORTURI]

Hi Adam,

Thank you.

today i have bought yours 3 cds.

I write from Italy and i hope that they arrive as soon as possible!

[coop344]

Another great lesson. Thank you very much.

[panamaharp]

Great stuff Adam, I've been trying to improve my playing in the upper octave and your lesson really helps. Do you have any favorite licks that "just" fit better in the upper octave because of the note layout?

[nomoboy]

Lots of great advice again, thanks Adam.Never thought about transposing licks to the upper register.. "Playing around" till you find a nice riff and then work to put it in your "databank" works also very good for the lower registers (for semi-beginners like me) I used to do this when I first got my harmonica, but somehow along the way I forgot about this cause I got caught up in trying to bend etc I guess.

[zyxel2]

Nice, keep it up :D

[nordwest558]

Great lesson Adam, thanks....