Blues harp version of Happy Birthday

[Norge112]

What kind of dur are you using?

[ToddGates]

@Norge112

> What kind of dur are you using?

I don't know what a "dur" is ... but if you're asking about my harmonica, I'm using an "E" Hohner Special 20 (playing cross harp, so I'm in the key of B).

[manobabit]

Man you are too good...

[ToddGates]

@manobabit

> Man you are too good...

Thank you!

[stillphil]

Natural reverb is like none other! Nice job.

[ToddGates]

@stillphil

> Natural reverb is like none other!

Agreed ... most of my other harmonica videos are recorded in NYC subways, where the reverb is just as good.

> Nice job.

Thanks!

[KLarissaed]

J'adore !!

[ToddGates]

@KLarissaed

> J'adore !!

Merci beaucoup!

[MsCharityluv]

Thank you for your Birthday sound. Now I can learn and create a birthday song from my harp too. Happy Birthday to you and thank you from my birthday friend and my birthday too !!!!. :) LOL

[MsCharityluv]

Thank you for your Birthday sound. Now I can learn and create a birthday song from my harp too. Happy Birthday to you and thank you from my birthday friend and my birthday too !!!!. :) LOL!

[ToddGates]

@MsCharityluv

> Thank you for your Birthday sound.

My pleasure--thank *you*!

[drinkmusik]

awe-some-oh!

[ToddGates]

@drinkmusik

> awe-some-oh!

Thanks!

[albertbluesvideo]

@drinkmusik cool choice for the place where playng whit natural sound effect!  genius!

[ToddGates]

@albertbluesvideo

> cool choice for the place where playng whit natural sound effect!

Thanks ... the one other place I like for its natural reverb is in the NYC subways -- most of my other harp videos are done there.

[northsideqirl]

AWESOME!!!!!

[ToddGates]

@northsideqirl

Thank you!

[SadieStyx]

HOW do you get that AWESOME sexy growly/meowy rumble in the notes!?!?!?! and what's doing that called?

[ToddGates]

@SadieStyx

> HOW do you get that AWESOME sexy growly/meowy rumble in the notes!?!?!?!



I just kind of growl into the harp -- kind of like a reverse gargling motion (because I am breathing in, not out).

> and what's doing that called?

If there`s a name for it, I don`t know!

[rubbadog5]

dude, that was beast.

[Remandoe]

Wow, dude, you make it rock!

[ToddAllenGates]

> Wow, dude, you make it rock!

Thanks!

[Buccifish]

What key is this in? I thought it was C, but it kinda sounds like A. Thanks

[ToddAllenGates]

> What key is this in?

I'm playing in the key of B. (That is, I'm playing cross harp with an E harmonica.)

[kirmizikafa]

mutlu yıllar sana:*

[chinaman215]

gonna learn this for my sis's birthday

[tongzhang89]

Hi, I'm a beginer and I really love this play! I've listened to it at least 20 times. Could you please 'release' the notes please? Thanks!

[ToddAllenGates]

I confess to having little skills in writing out harmonica music ... but I'll give it shot: hope this helps!

B = blow

D = draw

bd = bend (as far as how far to bend the note, let your ear be your guide)

1D, 1D 2B 1D 2D 2Dbd (happy birthday to you)

1D, 1D 2B 1D 3Dbd 3B (happy birthday to you)

1D 2B 1D 4D 3D 2D 2Dbd 2B (happy birthday dear ****)

4B 4B 3D 3B 3Dbd 3B (happy birthday to you)

[tongzhang89]

Many thanks Todd!

I hope someday I can play YOUR tune for someone's birthday, and I'll let them know that it was you.

Tong

[ToddAllenGates2]

> Many thanks Todd!

You're welcome - best of luck!

[TzzX78]

Dude you rock man!!!!!!!! god bless you for the rest of your life....love that harp

[ToddAllenGates]

> love that harp

Thanks Pancho!

[cypher951]

Todd,

How do you get the growl? I hear it all the time on Tom Ball's recordings and i can't figure it out. Is it a throat thing?

bf

[ToddAllenGates2]

> How do you get the growl? ... Is it a throat thing?

Yes--each time you hear the growl it's while I'm bending a note down, and I'm growling in my throat in a way that makes the harp growl / distort too.

- Todd

[sirsentrasera333]

haha nice, i like it!

[massahiroyoshihara]

Clap, clap, clap...

[gilus55]

super

[bluezboy2]

Damn boy, you are hot!

[ToddGates]

Again to Rich1962warriorx: Also, once I saw that Adam Gussow generously provided instructions for how to play his "Thunky Fing," I was planning on learning / recording that one as well---but it's too difficult for me, as I can't play overblows yet (and probably won't get the chance to put in the necessary hours of practice until my kids get older!).

[ToddGates]

Last note on the subject: check out my list of Favorite Videos for the link to Adam's instructions (called "Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed") and his performance of Thunky Fing (it's called "Adam Gussow of Satan and Adam with HarpGear1")---he's amazing.

[Rich1962warriorx]

I love playing Sp 20's too, and I also play Delta Frost's, the DF is more responcive, where I find the Sp 20 is nicer to play. I am getting a Hohner Cross harp soon to try out. I have been playing for 1 year now, and learning to play blues is coming very slowly as there is a lot to learn, but I have learnt about 40 first poss tunes in that time, and I have just started making up my own tunes too which I love doing.

I love hearing you play, will you be uploading anymore video's?..

[ToddGates]

Thanks again! I plan on recording/uploading a few more Sonny Boy Williamson songs, as well as some more piano videos, but I need to practice them a bit more first, as I feel quite rusty (I dropped the professional pursuit of music back in 1988 when I had my first kid).

[Rich1962warriorx]

Wow, Great playing, which type of harp were you playing there?

[ToddGates]

Thanks! It's an "E" Hohner Special 20. The Special 20s are made of plastic whereas the Marine Bands are made of wood ... I think the two sound very similar for the higher pitched harps (D, E, F), but I like the warmth of the Marine Band for the lower-pitched harps (G, A). The main advantage for me for the Special 20s is that the plastic is smooth and never cuts into my lips, even when well-worn. A well-worn Marine Band, on the other hand, can get a bit warped and painful.