How are you fellow harp player.I have been playing over 30 years and consider myself at a pro level.However always picckup something new here or there.Have a chance check outour channel.All our music is original and all harp is my own style.If you could find the time let me know what you think.I would like to know what I maybe doing wrong after 30years of harping.My teacher was from louiseana and then thought he was the best harp lplayer I have ever heard.After 30 years he is as talented us all
This awesome talented guy has Jim Carrey's voice lol
Thanks for the lessons, I just bought my harmonicas yesterday (one in A and one in G), I'm 19 years old, I have been playing piano and guitar for quite the time and for now I just can't seem to hit the single notes on these "suzuki easy riders"... I really want to learn how to draw out a single clear note so that I can do some decent sounding improvisations...
absolutely loved it, i use a C,D, and F harp at the moment, it was interesting to see you using a splitter, and i shall be sure to buy a B flat harp, LOVE the Bending, it so much more intence
Hey guys. Can anyone give some advice? I play for about 2 months and have already ruined 3 harps! There´s allways a reed that goes flat. I have Seydel harps. Anyone got an idea?
Thank you very much for taking the time to make the video. It helped me instantly with the hole no. 2. it is so simple and at the same time so tricky. Thanks a mill'.
Prof. Gussow - I'm 63 yrs. old and about 14 months into this Blues Harp Journey. I've gotten very good lessons/info from your website & taken advantage of some of your album offerings. Though I surely won't live long enough to really learn to play, I just wanted you to know that there are those of us who come back to the "Youtube" days again & again. Thanks for all you do and sincerest wishes for a wonderful 2011. Scott Thomas, a.k.a., "Surly-Mac"
Hey. I got a question: I got a MarineBlue harp key E. It doesn't have a blue's sound like some other harmonica's. I don't know if there's a tegnique for it but if there isn't, what harmonica is good for beginners with a blues-sound?
I just got my first harp because of your video's :D I have a honers marine band in C and my 2 hole draw just makes air sucks noises no matter how soft or hard a suck. Any help?
I just got my first harp because of your video's :D I have a honers marine band in C and my 2 hole draw just makes air sucks noises no matter how soft or hard a suck. Any help?
Hi, I got a easy question, when you say Two Hole Draw do you mean drawing from the hole no#2 or do you mean drawing from no#2 and #3 at the sametime? thanks.
@explik: 2 draw, or 2 hole draw, means drawing on the 2 hole. If I wanted you to draw on the 2 and 3 hole, I'd say the "two three draw," or "two-three double-stop."
I bought another harp because I thought my original one was broken. I then had the same problem on the 2 hole draw on the new harp so I took it back to the shop and asked them to swap it. It was then I found out that it wasn't the harp it was me. That was slightly embarrassing.
Hi adam its cain again sorry to trouble you but i have gotten hold of two amps and wanted to find out what mics would be good for me because i like to use my hand effects while playing and would love to keep using the as many of my riffs i have managed to inbed in my brain have these wah wah or finger touching ? can you serguest anything
@hohner2010: Visit the "forum" page at my website, Modern Blues Harmonica, and send me an email with the necessary info to register for the forum. Then post your question there. You'll get lots of answers.
amazing... i was wondering why i had some problems occasionally with getting clear sounds and i tried your tip and instant improvement.. it was so cool i just started jamming away :D:D thanks so much im definitively going to stick with your lessons!
oohemgee adam i have been going out of my freaking head practicing and i have about 4 harps now all of which i thought was broke or i was retarded! i didn't even know this was an issue in playing, but now that you've only confirmed what i thought that it's in the pucker i'm very much relieved. 5* all so far
I would say A if you want to play with guitarists because then you can play blues in E and guitarists generally like blues in E, but then again they might want to play blues in A, blues in F, blues in C etc
JG talks a lot about "coaxing" the harp to produce the single note tone, esp for beginners.. each hole is a little different. Finding the flow to make each reed sing is part of learning how to play those clear single notes. It's not like piano where you just press a button!
that damn 2 draw. I tend to play by not drawing in with my nose or too much. I can only nail it if I draw every so slightly (for lack of a better word, "passively") through my nose as I draw in. Like if I block my nose, inhale. No sound. Soon as I release my block on the nose, perfect.
turns out the way i was holding my harp was causing me to "pull off" just a little bit when playing the 2 and 1 holes. this simple little tip made me realize that it's all my fault!
here i was walking around thinking, "how can all these harps all have a bad 2 draw?" LOL!
if you (the harp player) are playing in Bb, the guitar plays in F. If you are playing a Bb harmonica in the key of F (2nd position), the guitar plaer plays in C.
This might be a dumb question, but why is the 2 draw so necessary if you can simply make the same tone on 3 blow? I know I know hahah that to be really good at something you should practice all aspects, but what about part-time players for instance?
I sat in my room trying to get the 2 hole draw, and when i finally did, what a difference. I'm no master, but i love taking all my runs back to the two hole draw. It's my anchor and its got grit! Grit that you wont find in the 3 blow.
It can take years to develop a good harmonica tone. I been playing for a long time and I am only 70% happy with my tone. Also part of the harp sound comes from the physical make up of your body so if your body is not exactly the same dimensions of adam's then you can't make exactly the same sound. This is what makes each harp player of unique sound of their own.
You're exactly right. And you've pinpointed a real challenge. When I discovered what you've just discovered, I learned how to take off the coverplates of my harp and tune up my draw reeds by filing a smudge of brass off the tip of the flattened reeds--i.e., 2 draw, sometimes 1 draw, ofter 4 draw, but especially 2 draw.
ive gotten really good at playing single notes and i have a decent embouchure, but i still get a flat note on the #2 draw. this happens on all my harps, and to other harp players i know. what is it about the #2 draw? it seems to be to common a problem.
If you play a strong 2 draw on an off-the-shelf harp, it's already slightly flat. If you play it for a month and regularly bend on it, it gets much more flat. That's why I learned long ago how to tune up my harps.
Q: I have very very THIN lips from 25+ years of playing classical trumpet (and a bit of blues actually) - I was wondering how much the embouchure training from trumpet playing might translate as a benefit or even a detriment to playing blues harp.
The trumpet embouchure per se is definitely NOT a help. You smush your lips into the inner part of the mouthpiece. Good harp playing requires that you make your MOUTH into a mouthpiece--bulge your lips big--and, in essence, shove the thick edge of the harp into that mouthpiece created by your lips. Thin lips must be bulged!
woooow such a simple but great tip!! I got a weird question haha.. Does having big lips or fat lips help in any way to play clear single notes, or could it be a handicap? Sounds stupid but I'm curious. What do you think ?
I don't think it makes any difference, as long as you understand correct embouchure--how to shape the lips you've actually got. Big hands, on the other hand, might help a little. But there's almost no handicap that can't be overcome.
cont'd. HE didn't get to where he is overnight..he worked for years to be as good as he is. So did Jason. YOU need to work, practice, wood-shed, put in the HOURS needed. He's doing this for FREE..it doesn't pay the bills. These guys are giving to you what they learned after years on the road, for nothing. So getting a video, buying a CD..would be invaluable to your growth as a player, because there's nobody better than Adam and Jason on YouTube...but for beginners it's going to take work.
Hi Adam. I ran out of space before I could thank you too. I was there when you headlined at Jason's Harp-Blow-Off prior to SPAH 2007. These lessons are amazing. I'll also wait for the double-cd...definitely want you to benefit from the royalties. I only wish people who think playing harmonica is easy would know what we know: that it's easy to play, but hard to play 'well'. :)
Question: do you teach online? If not, any plans down the road?
Look, guys...I'm not a beginner harmonica player, but I play mostly chromatics. AM fairly 'new' to blues diatonics. I've met Adam, am friends with HIS good friend Jason Ricci (a phenomenal player). This lesson helped me, but only after I really worked at it for some time. That's the 'secret' for beginners coming here. Adam is SO far advanced as a player, he's not going to turn you into fabulous players instantly..only YOU can do that with solid, hard work, and taking lessons..maybe from Adam?
:) These are great. I love how in the older videos you end by basically saying "I'm done with this shit, bye". Your on-air (if you want to call it that)personality has much improved since this. Great videos.
Thanks. I do hope I've improved my video game a bit after 165 of them! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started out, that's for sure--I mean, as a self-producer of videos. That's probably a good thing. I might have held certain things back, rather than dancing right on the edge. I certainly didn't imagine that I would find a public with the help of these videos, but that's what happened. I take great pleasure in the success stories that people report back to me.
omg heeeeeeelp!!!! the more i try to play one single note putting my mouth in the right position is imposible for other holes to make a sound!!! i the idea is to have the harm deep in the mouth is imposible for me to control the air and just make one single note!!! HELPPP PLISSS!! u r an exellent teacher but is hard for me to get that part!!!
Great instruction.What are some other mics that would be close to the shure pe5h?.Also is the Fender champ amp or other amp similar in sound to the premier8??I look forward to your reply..Carl ..
I can't say for sure, since I haven't used them. Ron Sunshine sells a lot of different Shure mics through his YouTube channel. The Gretsch 5222 amp is great; also the Harpgear 2 amp, which I've just purchased from Brian Purdy.
Woa i can't believe it, just from this couple of minutes video i can now play hole 2 draw, i thank you, for months now i have been working on it and have not grasped it, very uch appreaciated thankyou :D
thank you man, watching your video made me want to star palying. I purchase my first harp today '' big river c", and with your lessons i am finally learning. Hope to sound has amazing has you do in a few years.
Awesome! I'm a beginner and I thought my shitty harmonica had broken already, but as soon as you said that people so many people have trouble with the 2 hole draw I knew I was in good hands.
You are a great teacher, but what's more important a great person and the fact that you continue your youtube lessons for free, while you have a pay site show that. Thanks a lot!!!
to bad i can't ... but ok , now i've sold this problem , so ty very much.BUT now , i think there is something wrong with my 2nd hole .. it sounds very false ( excuse me for my bad english)i first thought it was me , but then i put a cover onto the other holes , so only the 2nd hole wasn't covered.And then i blow and draw , but it sounds just not right...
If i make so called " fat lipps" , i start sucking on 2 - 3 holes at the same time....and if i manage to produce a good 2 hole draw , and i want to start blowing , i blow on 2-3 holes... what can i do ( i play for 2 days)
I have been playing for 37 years- 15 of them correctly. I don't care if you are Sherwood(very bad) or Edsall( the opposite of Sherwood), The more we share technique and refuse to think we are good enough, the better we get. Thank you Mr. Gussow. I'll wait for the double CD so you get some royalties, Bubba.
Thank you very much. Great tip. I'm relatively new to the harp and have had several people tell me to play with the tongue block method and was wondering what your recommendation is.
thanks, man! i had a lot of trouble getting a nice sound out of holes 2&3... i realized it's because i changed the way i hold my jaw on the inhale (on all notes) and 2&3 being more sensitive they showed it more readily. so what's really useful is to work on keeping the mouth the same on inhale and exhale, allowing as much air as possible to vibrate into your diaphragm... keeping the mouth relaxed and the inhale smooth. thanks again for sharing your knowledge :)
Thanks so much for your vids... I just bought a harmonica, and I have some experience as a guitarist. Your idea of playing with pedals is totally innovative.
do you have a CD for sale or something of the sort?
Yes! The three Satan and Adam CDs are available from Rounder (dot) com at iTunes, but I never get royalties from them. I've got a CD with Charlie Hilbert at modern blues harmonica (dot) com. And there's a new Satan and Adam double CD coming out soon.....
hey man i just wanted to say your the best i have seen and i am just starting and im learning great! your a really good teacher and i needed help on the single notes so this was perfect!!!! thanks !!#@%@!
haha i suddenly went from not been able to make a single at all to been able to! i dont know how you did it Adam! i recived a harmonica today as a gift, very unexpected but i cant stop playing it i love it. il let you know how i get on with the rest of it i think itll be a while till im up to your standard though haha you truly are an amazing harmonica player!
I just bought a harmonica today and this video has helped me immensely. I play blues guitar and want to pick up some harmonica skills to add to my jam sessions with friends. The fat lip technique was PERFECT for helping me get that airtight seal on the harp and now I can both blow and draw single notes (and more) clearly. Beforehand I had no idea what was going on. Thanks a lot!! I'm seriously gonna watch every one of your videos.
Hi, I got a harmonica about a week ago, Im starting to learn how to pucker all the notes and I am learning a few simple songs. I got a 12 hole diatonic harmonica in C (Hohner marine band). I noticed that it sounds different then yours. Is it because its not a 'blues harp'? Besides that should I get a ten hole one 'cause its easier?
Hello Adam. As a beginning harp player I really had trouble with playing a 2 hole draw, and after using your tip I managed to get quite good sound right away ! Thanks for all your lessons, they're immensely helpful ! Thanks a lot !
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the secret 2 this 4 me is to just use tha 3 hole blow coz its the same note and bcz of all the inhales 4 bendin n stuf its gud to exhale wen u come bac home
Hey Adam, I was recommeded to your videos from Justin Sandercoe, He posts guitar lessons and he recommended you to everyone. I just want to say that you are a very good teacher and a cool guy. I appreciate what you are doing. I'm trying to learn harp because I'm writing an album. You are excellent ... Keep it up man.
hey adam, i've been watching your lessons for a while now and im a huge fan. I got my first harp about a month ago and basically have been wathing your lessons since. I recently got a new hohner marine band nd cannot get a two hole draw. I have hit the note perfectly on my old harp and was wondering if i just need to adjust to the new harp or if the harp is flat or some other problem like that. thanks for the help, and keep up the good work.
If you've got a C harp, that may be the problem. I discovered during my teaching years that novice players often could not produce a sound on the 2 draw on a C harp. If they used a D harp, suddenly they could produce a sound.
Thank you soooooo much! Demystifying secrets, yeah, please keep going!
I tried blues harping over many years on my own, couldn't get 'it'. When I talked to a 'band harp player' once (whose sound I liked), he said, I should play in the shower, the moisture would eventually produce a rusty sound...
Thanx again!
PS: I wished I could show you something in return. ;-)
I could quote a certain actor, yelling at Tom Cruise, about showing me the money (see my website, modernbluesharmonica dot com) but that would be tack. Your pal who said Play in the shower isn't entirely wrong. Humidity is great for harp tone.
Right, and I really like doing this every once in a while, confiscating the shower and playing away...but THAT guy talked about the harp reeds having to get rusty to sound bluesy or something like that..- :-(((
Thank you! I only play for 4 days now but this lesson helped me. I always wondered why hole 2 does not sound like the others. now i'm much better and i only tryed for about 2 minutes with you tips!
Fantastic i have learnt something new. I had reached platue in my playing and i had kinda given up as i was finding it really hard to progress but seeing you play and your simple explanations have really helped inspire me to have another go.
Happy to be of help. I like that word "sincere," and hope that it means the same thing to you as it means to me. Yes: where sharing infomation about the harp is concerned, I refuse to compromise my goal, which is doing all I can to help players who sincerely want to learn. This may not make me hip, cool, or profitable, but it's certainly helping me change the world with maximal efficiency, one harp player at a time!
hmm, great lesson im having alot of fun with these and im only on 2 or 3 you really have a knack for teaching. its funny as far as this lesson i know how to do it but i tuaght my self and its funny hearing what i am doing, you could of saved me sometime. your a great asset to the harp world.
Absolutely outstanding!
RandomJammer 1 month ago
you r just the best! if an harmonica could talk that would be trhough you!
shankitar 1 month ago
Thank you professor G. I am in my first year into this adventure and you are awesome, I learn from you and Jason iRcci every day,
Thank you
patrickvernongragg 2 months ago
How are you fellow harp player.I have been playing over 30 years and consider myself at a pro level.However always picckup something new here or there.Have a chance check outour channel.All our music is original and all harp is my own style.If you could find the time let me know what you think.I would like to know what I maybe doing wrong after 30years of harping.My teacher was from louiseana and then thought he was the best harp lplayer I have ever heard.After 30 years he is as talented us all
4fulsealteam 2 months ago
i havent even started harpin, but i think its gonna be great.
eldorado303 3 months ago in playlist blues harp secrets
sorry to say but that didn't help at all, if you have any other tips that would be fantastic.
blubbq007 4 months ago
This awesome talented guy has Jim Carrey's voice lol
Thanks for the lessons, I just bought my harmonicas yesterday (one in A and one in G), I'm 19 years old, I have been playing piano and guitar for quite the time and for now I just can't seem to hit the single notes on these "suzuki easy riders"... I really want to learn how to draw out a single clear note so that I can do some decent sounding improvisations...
snoookie456 4 months ago
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snoookie456 4 months ago
absolutely loved it, i use a C,D, and F harp at the moment, it was interesting to see you using a splitter, and i shall be sure to buy a B flat harp, LOVE the Bending, it so much more intence
terr3nce 6 months ago in playlist blues harmonica lessons 1
Hey guys. Can anyone give some advice? I play for about 2 months and have already ruined 3 harps! There´s allways a reed that goes flat. I have Seydel harps. Anyone got an idea?
thanx!
presskopp 6 months ago in playlist blues harp secrets
I was just about to ruin my harmonica by tinkering too much because I thought there was something wrong with it. Turns out it was me doing it wrong.
It worked perfectly! Now just got to practice till it´s second nature.
Thanks for sharing.
diegotartaglia 7 months ago
thanks, I feel like a better player already!
TheHinn180 9 months ago
beuty.. thanks a lot best lesson i have ever had
samrocchi 9 months ago
I'm the only teenager in my place that plays harmonica!
I am proud of it! Thanks alot for this tutorial!!
galiant609 10 months ago
I couldn't play the 2draw until I figured out that I was blowing/sucking with my mouth and not inhaling/exhaling with my lungs
BeachsideDJ 10 months ago
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BeachsideDJ 10 months ago
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BeachsideDJ 10 months ago
Thank you very much for taking the time to make the video. It helped me instantly with the hole no. 2. it is so simple and at the same time so tricky. Thanks a mill'.
schaduw11 11 months ago
Great Lesson! I am a beginner and have been trying to figure out why the two hole draw did not work for a few weeks now. Thanks so much !
j
jeromeperera1 11 months ago
Prof. Gussow - I'm 63 yrs. old and about 14 months into this Blues Harp Journey. I've gotten very good lessons/info from your website & taken advantage of some of your album offerings. Though I surely won't live long enough to really learn to play, I just wanted you to know that there are those of us who come back to the "Youtube" days again & again. Thanks for all you do and sincerest wishes for a wonderful 2011. Scott Thomas, a.k.a., "Surly-Mac"
SurlyMac 1 year ago 16
@SurlyMac: Thanks, SM. Don't underestimate yourself. By the time you're 70, you'll be kicking a**.
KudzuRunner 1 year ago 6
I'm finding when I let air come in through my nose I can sound the 2 hole draw no problem.
xAMPUTECHTx 1 year ago
thanks!, tomorrow i try and hope to enjoy in 2* draw hole!
MrZipanello 1 year ago
tihs helped tons. got it on my first try!! tyvm
Crowenator 1 year ago
Thank you!
LovelyObscurities 1 year ago
Hey. I got a question: I got a MarineBlue harp key E. It doesn't have a blue's sound like some other harmonica's. I don't know if there's a tegnique for it but if there isn't, what harmonica is good for beginners with a blues-sound?
Thanks!
YoUgOtTaCuRsEd 1 year ago
Great videos. My new MB (A) has a muffled vague sound on the 2 draw; the other draw notes are clear and strong. Can you suggest the cause and cure?
MrDougfoot
MrDougfoot 1 year ago
Great videos. My new MB (A) has a muffled vague sound on the 2 draw; the other draw notes are clear and strong. Can you suggest the cause and cure?
MrDougfoot
MrDougfoot 1 year ago
I just got my first harp because of your video's :D I have a honers marine band in C and my 2 hole draw just makes air sucks noises no matter how soft or hard a suck. Any help?
TheVinylDream 1 year ago
@TheVinylDream: See the FAQs page at my website, Modern Blues Harmonica.
KudzuRunner 1 year ago
I just got my first harp because of your video's :D I have a honers marine band in C and my 2 hole draw just makes air sucks noises no matter how soft or hard a suck. Any help?
TheVinylDream 1 year ago
thanks a lot :D
pedrao15 1 year ago
OMG this is exactly what I was looking for. I almost came back to the store to return the "broken" harp.
Hutcarlingos 1 year ago
Hi, I got a easy question, when you say Two Hole Draw do you mean drawing from the hole no#2 or do you mean drawing from no#2 and #3 at the sametime? thanks.
explik 1 year ago
@explik: 2 draw, or 2 hole draw, means drawing on the 2 hole. If I wanted you to draw on the 2 and 3 hole, I'd say the "two three draw," or "two-three double-stop."
KudzuRunner 1 year ago
@KudzuRunner Thanks allot! English isn't my first language so I wasn't sure, your videos are the most helpful!
explik 1 year ago
I bought another harp because I thought my original one was broken. I then had the same problem on the 2 hole draw on the new harp so I took it back to the shop and asked them to swap it. It was then I found out that it wasn't the harp it was me. That was slightly embarrassing.
pengam2006 1 year ago
Hi adam its cain again sorry to trouble you but i have gotten hold of two amps and wanted to find out what mics would be good for me because i like to use my hand effects while playing and would love to keep using the as many of my riffs i have managed to inbed in my brain have these wah wah or finger touching ? can you serguest anything
hohner2010 1 year ago
@hohner2010: Visit the "forum" page at my website, Modern Blues Harmonica, and send me an email with the necessary info to register for the forum. Then post your question there. You'll get lots of answers.
KudzuRunner 1 year ago
you sir, are a saviour.
KendallMac 1 year ago
great help this one! big tnx!!!
robinvanteylingen 1 year ago
Great help this one! tnx!!
robinvanteylingen 1 year ago
Adam, thank you very much! I'm just learning, and I could never make a good tone until I watched this video :-)
tristramoaten 1 year ago
amazing... i was wondering why i had some problems occasionally with getting clear sounds and i tried your tip and instant improvement.. it was so cool i just started jamming away :D:D thanks so much im definitively going to stick with your lessons!
raurtom 1 year ago
Yes! Good job on that one, thanks!
tiprunner 1 year ago
oohemgee adam i have been going out of my freaking head practicing and i have about 4 harps now all of which i thought was broke or i was retarded! i didn't even know this was an issue in playing, but now that you've only confirmed what i thought that it's in the pucker i'm very much relieved. 5* all so far
kristophershaun 1 year ago
I would say A if you want to play with guitarists because then you can play blues in E and guitarists generally like blues in E, but then again they might want to play blues in A, blues in F, blues in C etc
xp0ferens 2 years ago
what would you say is the best key of a harmonica for the blues
wuzabullfrog313 2 years ago
@wuzabullfrog313 I say it is G cause it is deep
obitobi100 2 years ago
Thanks! This is really helped in solving second hole problem!
MikotoItoshiki 2 years ago
thank you very much! very good teacher.
simonanubis 2 years ago 3
JG talks a lot about "coaxing" the harp to produce the single note tone, esp for beginners.. each hole is a little different. Finding the flow to make each reed sing is part of learning how to play those clear single notes. It's not like piano where you just press a button!
rocket881 2 years ago
that damn 2 draw. I tend to play by not drawing in with my nose or too much. I can only nail it if I draw every so slightly (for lack of a better word, "passively") through my nose as I draw in. Like if I block my nose, inhale. No sound. Soon as I release my block on the nose, perfect.
Alexhaladay 2 years ago
Wish I found this video before I took my harmonica apart looking for the problem. :)
Thank you so much for these videos.
sporre2 2 years ago
why on earth would you take apart the harmonica?
KoreanMilkman2007 2 years ago
awesome tip, thanks a ton!
turns out the way i was holding my harp was causing me to "pull off" just a little bit when playing the 2 and 1 holes. this simple little tip made me realize that it's all my fault!
here i was walking around thinking, "how can all these harps all have a bad 2 draw?" LOL!
thanks again!
rd
rupertdarling 2 years ago
When playing in B flat does the guitar play in the key of E for that blues sound?
Great job Adam!
drsmooth007 2 years ago
if you (the harp player) are playing in Bb, the guitar plays in F. If you are playing a Bb harmonica in the key of F (2nd position), the guitar plaer plays in C.
jazzharp52 2 years ago
Thanks for a great lesson! Good job
possitiveattitude 2 years ago
surely playing the harp makes you a great kisser isn't it? he he
Gaudentic 2 years ago 10
This might be a dumb question, but why is the 2 draw so necessary if you can simply make the same tone on 3 blow? I know I know hahah that to be really good at something you should practice all aspects, but what about part-time players for instance?
PoorPantsPictures 2 years ago
I've answered this question too many times already. Just trust me. Or trust google to find the answer.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
I sat in my room trying to get the 2 hole draw, and when i finally did, what a difference. I'm no master, but i love taking all my runs back to the two hole draw. It's my anchor and its got grit! Grit that you wont find in the 3 blow.
tewright77 2 years ago
Because the 2 draw u can reach those really important bend notes, that in the 3 blow does not have it. Thats the point
Uyan 2 years ago
cant bend the notes as much on a 3 hole blow
jakestevens0 2 years ago
I use C harmonica, Hohner Special 20, and I still can't get the sound. Are there any other tricks I can try?
Kuba022 2 years ago
It can take years to develop a good harmonica tone. I been playing for a long time and I am only 70% happy with my tone. Also part of the harp sound comes from the physical make up of your body so if your body is not exactly the same dimensions of adam's then you can't make exactly the same sound. This is what makes each harp player of unique sound of their own.
snusify 2 years ago
i think i'm getting a strong clear note, but it's just slightly flat compared to my 3 blow which i checked with a piano.
how do i fix this?
snubbs741 2 years ago
You're exactly right. And you've pinpointed a real challenge. When I discovered what you've just discovered, I learned how to take off the coverplates of my harp and tune up my draw reeds by filing a smudge of brass off the tip of the flattened reeds--i.e., 2 draw, sometimes 1 draw, ofter 4 draw, but especially 2 draw.
Excellent point, though.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
I don't understand how you're making the sound is it by tongue block or lip pursing? Thank you so much for your videos
camicm123 2 years ago
THANK YOU! Finally got it!
DJuggz06 2 years ago
Спасибо, чувак, очень помог!!!!))))))))))))
Psheksus 2 years ago
Hey ... 2nd Lesson and the first "Aha !" for me. 2-Hole draw sounds much improved already. Thank You !
gibsdennsowas 2 years ago
i tired this but its making a bad sound
my harp is diatonic c
benKMpark 2 years ago
ive gotten really good at playing single notes and i have a decent embouchure, but i still get a flat note on the #2 draw. this happens on all my harps, and to other harp players i know. what is it about the #2 draw? it seems to be to common a problem.
okubyashi 2 years ago
If you play a strong 2 draw on an off-the-shelf harp, it's already slightly flat. If you play it for a month and regularly bend on it, it gets much more flat. That's why I learned long ago how to tune up my harps.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
Q: I have very very THIN lips from 25+ years of playing classical trumpet (and a bit of blues actually) - I was wondering how much the embouchure training from trumpet playing might translate as a benefit or even a detriment to playing blues harp.
arcadiandelsol 2 years ago
The trumpet embouchure per se is definitely NOT a help. You smush your lips into the inner part of the mouthpiece. Good harp playing requires that you make your MOUTH into a mouthpiece--bulge your lips big--and, in essence, shove the thick edge of the harp into that mouthpiece created by your lips. Thin lips must be bulged!
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
kewl!!!! thx!!!!!
Ignorama9 2 years ago
woooow such a simple but great tip!! I got a weird question haha.. Does having big lips or fat lips help in any way to play clear single notes, or could it be a handicap? Sounds stupid but I'm curious. What do you think ?
KayNyne13 2 years ago
I don't think it makes any difference, as long as you understand correct embouchure--how to shape the lips you've actually got. Big hands, on the other hand, might help a little. But there's almost no handicap that can't be overcome.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
thank you sir!
moviesandmusicBE 2 years ago
I've been working out a bit, for about 2 weeks now...building up sucktion strength.
And it does work on the 2-hole draw on a C-harp for me...just as Adam said.
MusicMan20061210 2 years ago
Thanks to you I know what a proper 2-draw sounds like and could make something quite close right away. Thanks again.
mdesnos 3 years ago
On my C harmonica i find it really hard to do "2 draw" is this normal?
i have no problem with the rest.. just 2 draw..
anybody else?
dannelchannel 3 years ago 2
90% of beginners have precisely the same problem. Try a D harp; often the problem goes away.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
what tips then can u give to someone who dosent have a D harp and has the same problem
BigPRowdy 2 years ago
Keep trying to reshape your mouth and embouchure; keep playing with your tongue position. Eventually you'll figure it out.
If you're unable to figure it out, give up the harmonica. You weren't meant to play it.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
I managed to figure it out. I kept watching and fooling around and I hit a sweet spot and It sounded great, thanks for the tips!
BigPRowdy 2 years ago
Nice job, Adam, because you told the key of the harp at the beginning of your vid.
Beginners want to hear this information first, and you made it happen.
Aloha.....SQB
suzyqblues 3 years ago
Great lessons - what a wonderful resource. Thanks.
Hugh9 3 years ago
cont'd. HE didn't get to where he is overnight..he worked for years to be as good as he is. So did Jason. YOU need to work, practice, wood-shed, put in the HOURS needed. He's doing this for FREE..it doesn't pay the bills. These guys are giving to you what they learned after years on the road, for nothing. So getting a video, buying a CD..would be invaluable to your growth as a player, because there's nobody better than Adam and Jason on YouTube...but for beginners it's going to take work.
ElizabethGS 3 years ago
Thanks, Elizabeth. You're right about the hard work part. I don't think most people really understand that.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
Hi Adam. I ran out of space before I could thank you too. I was there when you headlined at Jason's Harp-Blow-Off prior to SPAH 2007. These lessons are amazing. I'll also wait for the double-cd...definitely want you to benefit from the royalties. I only wish people who think playing harmonica is easy would know what we know: that it's easy to play, but hard to play 'well'. :)
Question: do you teach online? If not, any plans down the road?
ElizabethGS 3 years ago
Look, guys...I'm not a beginner harmonica player, but I play mostly chromatics. AM fairly 'new' to blues diatonics. I've met Adam, am friends with HIS good friend Jason Ricci (a phenomenal player). This lesson helped me, but only after I really worked at it for some time. That's the 'secret' for beginners coming here. Adam is SO far advanced as a player, he's not going to turn you into fabulous players instantly..only YOU can do that with solid, hard work, and taking lessons..maybe from Adam?
ElizabethGS 3 years ago
:) These are great. I love how in the older videos you end by basically saying "I'm done with this shit, bye". Your on-air (if you want to call it that)personality has much improved since this. Great videos.
lmerr 3 years ago
Thanks. I do hope I've improved my video game a bit after 165 of them! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started out, that's for sure--I mean, as a self-producer of videos. That's probably a good thing. I might have held certain things back, rather than dancing right on the edge. I certainly didn't imagine that I would find a public with the help of these videos, but that's what happened. I take great pleasure in the success stories that people report back to me.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
omg heeeeeeelp!!!! the more i try to play one single note putting my mouth in the right position is imposible for other holes to make a sound!!! i the idea is to have the harm deep in the mouth is imposible for me to control the air and just make one single note!!! HELPPP PLISSS!! u r an exellent teacher but is hard for me to get that part!!!
Andresitagp13 3 years ago
im a begginer n i dont sound like that
joehancock01 3 years ago
Great instruction.What are some other mics that would be close to the shure pe5h?.Also is the Fender champ amp or other amp similar in sound to the premier8??I look forward to your reply..Carl ..
flyinga40 3 years ago
I can't say for sure, since I haven't used them. Ron Sunshine sells a lot of different Shure mics through his YouTube channel. The Gretsch 5222 amp is great; also the Harpgear 2 amp, which I've just purchased from Brian Purdy.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
Awesome
Chamse77 3 years ago
Wow, i've learned more in 4min 37 than in 2 months
geoffroidegalvoie 3 years ago
Its nice to discover a new hobby! Watch videos on youtube! Totally agree with that! Ben Bouman did desmonstrate to me!
Thanks!
Eddie
chromatic8d 3 years ago
wow,youre a great harmonica teacher...thanks
adipresley 3 years ago
How do you play one note at a time?
thefaker10 3 years ago
lolololol
slayrose100191 3 years ago
why do you laugh?
Why not help him?
kezzaguy 3 years ago
yea! we all dont get harmonica skills at birth. we all have to start off somewhere!
Mfresh288 3 years ago
ill try answering you instead of laughing, as it wasnt easy for me too :)
Just.. make your lips similar like you'd be kissing, and then just.. a good position, and thats all. nothing big here.
WhynotMiha 3 years ago
Thats actualy a good question i believe thats one of the hardest things to learn in the begining
NoblezadaXfan 3 years ago
Woa i can't believe it, just from this couple of minutes video i can now play hole 2 draw, i thank you, for months now i have been working on it and have not grasped it, very uch appreaciated thankyou :D
cillahughes1 3 years ago
great
dadoroberts 3 years ago
I just started playing, and I thought there was something wrong with the 2 draw on my harmonica! Thank you!
HanoiRocksWhore 3 years ago
Many thanks ...I'm improving my Harmonica game & my english level !!! Many thanks Master.
yelmili 3 years ago
...and I almost wanted to send my Hohner Harp back because I thought the 2 hole draw sounded so way off! :D
Thank you very much Mr. Gussow for your lessons! I just subscriped to your videos :)
Dater 3 years ago
thank you man, watching your video made me want to star palying. I purchase my first harp today '' big river c", and with your lessons i am finally learning. Hope to sound has amazing has you do in a few years.
Thanks from london.
frenchy614 3 years ago
Awesome! I'm a beginner and I thought my shitty harmonica had broken already, but as soon as you said that people so many people have trouble with the 2 hole draw I knew I was in good hands.
Awesomebeard 3 years ago
You are a great teacher, but what's more important a great person and the fact that you continue your youtube lessons for free, while you have a pay site show that. Thanks a lot!!!
cxpseven 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Teach us the harmonica solo in "Hook" by Blues Traveler and I'll subscribe!
Jaysun325 3 years ago
Thanks! I'm just starting and have this problem on my 3 wooden harps but strangely not on my plastic bodied ones....Great tips, and thanks again.
gazzie12000 3 years ago
i was convinced my 2 hole draw was just a busted problem on my own harps. glad to see its a technique issue i can work on, thank you
shibbytreats 3 years ago
You're such a good teacher. Thanks again
darkdave25 3 years ago
to bad i can't ... but ok , now i've sold this problem , so ty very much.BUT now , i think there is something wrong with my 2nd hole .. it sounds very false ( excuse me for my bad english)i first thought it was me , but then i put a cover onto the other holes , so only the 2nd hole wasn't covered.And then i blow and draw , but it sounds just not right...
nielstheunissen 3 years ago
If i make so called " fat lipps" , i start sucking on 2 - 3 holes at the same time....and if i manage to produce a good 2 hole draw , and i want to start blowing , i blow on 2-3 holes... what can i do ( i play for 2 days)
nielstheunissen 3 years ago
Purchase my lesson, "tone clinic," at Modern Blues Harmonica (dot) com. I speak about all this at length.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
I have been playing for 37 years- 15 of them correctly. I don't care if you are Sherwood(very bad) or Edsall( the opposite of Sherwood), The more we share technique and refuse to think we are good enough, the better we get. Thank you Mr. Gussow. I'll wait for the double CD so you get some royalties, Bubba.
sknBcm9 3 years ago
Thanks. I like your attitude.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
Thank you very much! I am a beginner to the harmonica and I had somtimes some problems with the second hole draw.
Now, with your useful lesson, I understood which the problem is!
Thank you!!!
Excuse me for my very bad English ;)
kertrin138 3 years ago
Thank you very much. Great tip. I'm relatively new to the harp and have had several people tell me to play with the tongue block method and was wondering what your recommendation is.
Gramza77 3 years ago
thanks, man! i had a lot of trouble getting a nice sound out of holes 2&3... i realized it's because i changed the way i hold my jaw on the inhale (on all notes) and 2&3 being more sensitive they showed it more readily. so what's really useful is to work on keeping the mouth the same on inhale and exhale, allowing as much air as possible to vibrate into your diaphragm... keeping the mouth relaxed and the inhale smooth. thanks again for sharing your knowledge :)
crowsnarrows 3 years ago
Thanks so much for your vids... I just bought a harmonica, and I have some experience as a guitarist. Your idea of playing with pedals is totally innovative.
do you have a CD for sale or something of the sort?
thanks so much!
orange667 3 years ago
Yes! The three Satan and Adam CDs are available from Rounder (dot) com at iTunes, but I never get royalties from them. I've got a CD with Charlie Hilbert at modern blues harmonica (dot) com. And there's a new Satan and Adam double CD coming out soon.....
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
hey man i just wanted to say your the best i have seen and i am just starting and im learning great! your a really good teacher and i needed help on the single notes so this was perfect!!!! thanks !!#@%@!
greatamvz 3 years ago
wow!!! crazy, this has been the most useful advice i have read and seen in weeks. THANK YOU!!! this is soooooooo great, man.
crowsnarrows 3 years ago
haha i suddenly went from not been able to make a single at all to been able to! i dont know how you did it Adam! i recived a harmonica today as a gift, very unexpected but i cant stop playing it i love it. il let you know how i get on with the rest of it i think itll be a while till im up to your standard though haha you truly are an amazing harmonica player!
luijelley 4 years ago
I just bought a harmonica today and this video has helped me immensely. I play blues guitar and want to pick up some harmonica skills to add to my jam sessions with friends. The fat lip technique was PERFECT for helping me get that airtight seal on the harp and now I can both blow and draw single notes (and more) clearly. Beforehand I had no idea what was going on. Thanks a lot!! I'm seriously gonna watch every one of your videos.
Campanej 4 years ago
Hi Adam,
Humour is also a way of saying something serious.
Thanks for all.
horasdispersas 4 years ago
oh i just seen you say women do play .lol
alliecat1941 4 years ago
I've been playing for about 15 years and never thought to dissect my technique until now. Thanks Professor!
MisterPignose 4 years ago
I cannot play and pucker, I just use my tounge. but I make a great single
o(Uo)O
hole. ( ) mouth U tounge O hole of harp
luemas6891 4 years ago
When I push the harmonica farther into my mouth, I can't play just one note at a time. Is there a certain trick to this?
rangerchallengebravo 4 years ago
Narrow your lips, the inner part of the pucker, as though you're trying to whistle aggressively.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
Hi, I got a harmonica about a week ago, Im starting to learn how to pucker all the notes and I am learning a few simple songs. I got a 12 hole diatonic harmonica in C (Hohner marine band). I noticed that it sounds different then yours. Is it because its not a 'blues harp'? Besides that should I get a ten hole one 'cause its easier?
49skate 4 years ago
Please read my channel description. This channel is not primarily directed towards novice players.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
Great lesson. Thanks Gussow. Rafael from Brazil.
overtured 4 years ago
so nice of you to share your talent sir im looking forward for more
jakiri1845 4 years ago
Hello Adam. As a beginning harp player I really had trouble with playing a 2 hole draw, and after using your tip I managed to get quite good sound right away ! Thanks for all your lessons, they're immensely helpful ! Thanks a lot !
Krzysztof, Poland
cptspiff17 4 years ago
Wow! I thought I had broken my harmonica and was all set to go out and buy a new one! You just saved me 30 bucks!
kungfupower 4 years ago
To be hnest my hole 2 draw is much better since I cleaned my hohner, but lips tip is also great!
Thanks Adam!
smokkam 4 years ago
Thanks for the lesson. This is the exact problem that I have been having and now the solution and it works!! Thanks agn.
damos27 4 years ago
Great! That's the nicest compliment a teacher can get.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
is a draw blowing inwards?
shreddingfish 4 years ago
A draw is pulling or sucking air inwards.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
cool thanks also i play guitar aswell i know guitars in C so would i buy a C harmonica??
shreddingfish 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
the secret 2 this 4 me is to just use tha 3 hole blow coz its the same note and bcz of all the inhales 4 bendin n stuf its gud to exhale wen u come bac home
samwats 4 years ago
You are an excellent teacher. Thanks for the tip on 2 hole draw. Your method of teaching is perfect and easily understandable.
If you didn't live on the other side of the country from me, I'd take an English class from you, too, because I know you'd be good.
sharoneus 4 years ago
Hey Adam, I was recommeded to your videos from Justin Sandercoe, He posts guitar lessons and he recommended you to everyone. I just want to say that you are a very good teacher and a cool guy. I appreciate what you are doing. I'm trying to learn harp because I'm writing an album. You are excellent ... Keep it up man.
Redbloodsells 4 years ago
hey adam, i've been watching your lessons for a while now and im a huge fan. I got my first harp about a month ago and basically have been wathing your lessons since. I recently got a new hohner marine band nd cannot get a two hole draw. I have hit the note perfectly on my old harp and was wondering if i just need to adjust to the new harp or if the harp is flat or some other problem like that. thanks for the help, and keep up the good work.
Nthay0603 4 years ago
If you've got a C harp, that may be the problem. I discovered during my teaching years that novice players often could not produce a sound on the 2 draw on a C harp. If they used a D harp, suddenly they could produce a sound.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
Thanks Adam! Great lessons!
JeanRebo 4 years ago
The problem is that when I open my lips wider, the 1 hole sounds too. Or that's what it seems to me.
I'm using a C harp.
WhitePaws 4 years ago
Thank you soooooo much! Demystifying secrets, yeah, please keep going!
I tried blues harping over many years on my own, couldn't get 'it'. When I talked to a 'band harp player' once (whose sound I liked), he said, I should play in the shower, the moisture would eventually produce a rusty sound...
Thanx again!
PS: I wished I could show you something in return. ;-)
EddyLizard2 4 years ago
I could quote a certain actor, yelling at Tom Cruise, about showing me the money (see my website, modernbluesharmonica dot com) but that would be tack. Your pal who said Play in the shower isn't entirely wrong. Humidity is great for harp tone.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
Right, and I really like doing this every once in a while, confiscating the shower and playing away...but THAT guy talked about the harp reeds having to get rusty to sound bluesy or something like that..- :-(((
EddyLizard2 4 years ago
Thank you! I only play for 4 days now but this lesson helped me. I always wondered why hole 2 does not sound like the others. now i'm much better and i only tryed for about 2 minutes with you tips!
TheHappyLittleBoozer 4 years ago
I just picked up the harp and I'm with Vidar1979. I though my 2 hole was broke too! haha Now I know better
Tieg 4 years ago
Fantastic i have learnt something new. I had reached platue in my playing and i had kinda given up as i was finding it really hard to progress but seeing you play and your simple explanations have really helped inspire me to have another go.
Many thanks
argusash 4 years ago
Thanks a Lot!! I thought my 2 hole was broke hahah.
Vidar1979 4 years ago
You are my salvation!. I'm from South America and I haven't seen any harp player as sincere as you.
Thanks for the lessons.
chalalaz 4 years ago
Happy to be of help. I like that word "sincere," and hope that it means the same thing to you as it means to me. Yes: where sharing infomation about the harp is concerned, I refuse to compromise my goal, which is doing all I can to help players who sincerely want to learn. This may not make me hip, cool, or profitable, but it's certainly helping me change the world with maximal efficiency, one harp player at a time!
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
hmm, great lesson im having alot of fun with these and im only on 2 or 3 you really have a knack for teaching. its funny as far as this lesson i know how to do it but i tuaght my self and its funny hearing what i am doing, you could of saved me sometime. your a great asset to the harp world.
Erikjr21 4 years ago
Great lesson!
biglou250 4 years ago
good lips are like jagger lips, maybe thats what you should call them!! haha
pra05rt 4 years ago
I'm playing for about 3 years now, and this is the best stuff I've wanted to learn. Great teaching and great quality, thanks Adam.
nomoboy 4 years ago
I'm playing for about 3 years now, and this is the best stuff I've wanted to learn. Great teaching and great quality, thanks Adam.
nomoboy 4 years ago
Thank you very much for posting these videos. I've been playin' guitar for 28 years and understand the benefit of startin' off right.
juddrizzo 4 years ago