Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed (Gussow.004)

[EricBowman25]

Are you bending an F down to an Eb on that Chicago lick? That's a Bb harp right?

[hohner2010]

Adam im having a problem i have a slight throat vibrato sometimes strong some times i forget i can make it, i have one vido i called it EASY i play one of your videos i bought with tab and in places i make a vibrato i think?? when you can spare a few moments would you please view my video and tell me what i need to know. also are you making any more videos on MBH

[olegshaft]

seriously man, you'r the best on youtube. you play great music, and only the sound of a single tone from your harmonica sounds great. plus, you give away free very useful lessons, and i thank you very very much for it! i don't have any money to spend now, i'm in israel army, but when i get free ill probably buy "kick and stomp". meanwhile, (while i don't have money) i only have great thanks to give you.

many many many THANKS!

[olegshaft]

seriously man, you'r the best on youtube. you play great music, and only the sound of a single tone from your harmonica sounds great. plus, you give away free very useful lessons, and i thank you very very much for it! i don't have any money to spend now, i'm in israel army, but when i get free ill probably buy "kick and stomp". meanwhile, (while i don't have money) i only have great thanks to give you.

many many many THANKS!

[xxswedexx]

Hey thanks for posting your lessons! they are helping quite a bit. I'm still having a bear of a time with throat vibrato though. I started teaching myself harp early this spring...just toying around and making sounds and figuring it out...with some wise wisdom from yourself and jason ricci's videos as well...it feels like im making more jaw movements to get vibrato though and less of my throat...what am i doing wrong? thanks again for posting

[uncynd]

Thank-you Adam, I want to visit u

[yoncofi]

Eres genial, gracias por mostrarnos esto, será un gran desafío el aprender a tocar la harmonica, algún día tocaré como tu.

GRACIAS!!!

[HeadacheCA]

Hey Adam. I'm afraid I'm following in deadhead's line of questioning. I just picked up the harp recently and I'm pretty tongue-tied. It doesn't hamper my speech at all, but it does restrict how pointed I can make my tongue and how far I can stick it out. Do you know of any players who have worked through this handicap or of any techniques to help with it? Thanks in advance, your tutorials are very helpful!

[wangotangowhoo1234]

you say youre using a B flat harp. I dont have a clue, does that mean Major? and how does that even matter?

[rocket881]

For me to make that full, round sound, it was simply forcing myself to put the harp in my mouth, really get it in there rather than kissing it with those "grandma lips" like you mention.

When you do your vibrato, how much do you modify the airflow, in terms of volume and velocity? By comparison, when I learned to bend, the toughest part was keeping airflow and volume the same. Does your vibrato significatly slow/reduce airflow?

[fairlyfast]

@rocket881 Do you happen to be Bill Tarsha with The Rocket 88's from Phoenix Arizona? If so, I actually saw you at a small bar years ago in Phoenix and then again in the first L. A. Blues Festival, which included the great and sadly, late, Paul Butterfield.

[shaylanda]

Hi there, thanks for your lessons. can you give us examples of players using throat vibrato/belly vibrato so we can really distinguish the differences?

thanks, Shay

[deadhead8008]

I'm sorry about the randomness of this question Adam, as it doesn't pertain to this video in particular but just to me beginning harmonica. I have a lip piercing that is in the corner of my mouth, not the middle. Is this going to be something that is going to absolutely compromise my harmonica sound in terms of what I can play with my lip positions and such?

[KudzuRunner]

Nobody's ever asked me that question before; I've never seen it addressed anywhere. Join my forum at Modern Blues Harmonica (only one application, please!) and ask. I'm sure somebody can answer.

[deadhead8008]

Thanks so much, I will do so. Also, thanks for the speedy reply, your really on top of it.

[deadhead8008]

Actually, and I'm sorry to be more of a bother, but I went on the website and all I can find is the forum archive and forum search, not an active forum. I'm probably passing over something that's right in front of me, but could you help me find it?

[KudzuRunner]

Keep looking, grasshopper.

[kristophershaun]

had to get one more lesson in for the day however i'm sure i will watch it again as to the fact i haven't started focusing on vibratto as much yet. but i noticed the lip piercing question i have mine and it DOES mess with my pucker some so i take it out when practicing, because i'm really trying to nail the single notes atm. i think once i become more advanced though that it won't give me near as much of a problem.

[terr3nce]

Sorry Adam. but how important is the AMP and Splitter to the artist?. I ficken love what you rputting across, Horten as far as I am concerned is where it all began

[ZoneIII]

As always, your explanation is outstanding! I'm having just the problem you described with my vibrato but I couldn't find any info about it. I thought I simply couldn't do it. I still can't do it right, of course, but at least you pointed me in the right direction and I know I'm not the only person to struggle with this. Thanks much!

[OUfan49]

How did you manage to get a b7th out of the two hole draw?

your amazing

[arcadiandelsol]

mechanically, would this be the same throat vibrato one would use when singing, or is it a different physical function here?

[sterlingb2006]

I have tried doing the vibrato and the only thing that sounds close to it is when I enhale saying yo-yo. Is this the correct way to learn?

[maxobrien2]

Hi Adam - thanks so much for all your videos, I've a quick question - when I drop my chin when drawing on hole one I find the note goes flat... what am I doing wrong? any advice would be awesome. Thanks again, Max

[KudzuRunner]

Well, you're applying bending energy; you're bending it, and you don't want to be bending it. Just become more attentive to that "pull" in your mouth that correlates with bending, and adjust the position of your tongue in your mouth so you don't redirect the airstream.

[travdaddy226]

ha wow i was going flat as well and mind you i just tried this like 3 minutes ago and then did what you said to adjust the tongue and haha it worked!

[lustforlife91]

why couldnt you use a c harp i could have so many cool licks

[kardonman]

okay i have a question, i can only do the one note draws with useing my toung to block the ther holes. will that effect my playing??

[Trixxterboy]

what about vibrato with lips? is that a good way? thats how one does it on sax

wat is preferred most often? throat, lip, moving the harp, tongue etc.? and where is somewhere i can learn how to do throat vibrato. (i dont know how)

[atgolsorkhi]

great pointers, wish you used an A or a C though.

[NoblezadaXfan]

hey thanks once again adam ive had a slopy vibrato this helps

-Adam summitt

[motzyca22]

hey adam can you please make the throat vebrato more clear to me, like the sounds i should produce while i'm drawing thx

[goldendome92]

thanks man i can play single notes now.

[piratetom1]

Adam, you're an amazing harp player and teacher and you've opened my eyes to what a harmonica player is. I'm 15, got a set of harps last Christmas (though had been playing around with them for a while before that) and I now know I'm going to start putting a lot more work in. I've noticed that I'm missing a lot when jamming with my sort-of-band, so now I'm inspired. Thanks man.

[ronpaul2oo8]

adam, what about tounge vibrato.

[leftywitt]

the tounge is better when you blow

[clrn2mt]

Adam, Don't you think the belly vibrato gives the note better mini bends compared to vibrato from the throat?

[KudzuRunner]

Not at all. This is especially true if you pull your tongue back in your mouth as you do throat vibrato; that's how I get a Howlin' Wolf sound. But the word "better" is tricky. I'm happy with my sound--although I love P.T. Gazell's vibrato, and he achieves his by wiggling the harp.

[clrn2mt]

Happy to hear this because I cannot control my diaphragm as well as my throat muscles. Thank you again Adam.

[bighitter805]

my vibrato is bad, i've watched your other vid about vibrato and i don't understand what you mean by coughing inward?? i am a beginner,actually i just got my harp today and im watching your vids and i can't seem to find how to make a vibrato in general, any advice????? thanks!

[KudzuRunner]

I've done the best I can to lead you (and everybody else) out of the woods. From this point on, Little Cricket, you must make the journey yourself.

[clrn2mt]

Try making the Ka sound in your throat while drawing on 2. After a while make the Ka sound less intense. It should happen further down in your throat. Later it will go clear to your gut. At that time, when you draw in, you will feel your stomach go out.

[thrrpt]

G'day Adam. I have been playing some time as a hobby (mainly to impress myself) since following your lessons I have decided to get more seriously into the tone and swing. My question is, from the books and tapes i have, I have been doing vibrato by moving the harp "in and out". I am trying to get the "throat/vocal" vibrato happening. Should I give up on my harp "moving" business? I do like the rich 2 hole draw you have - Again I appreciate your time and efforts, your a top bloke. Thanks mate.

[KudzuRunner]

Actually, when overblowers and chromatic players do vibrato on blow notes, they make it using a variation of the in-and-out method you describe. But most serious blues players use the sort of vibrato I describe when they play strong draw notes. So it's good to try all the methods.

[gaminemome]

ack! i don't now to bend or anything! haylp!!! (trans. help, duh)... seriously, he's great... and i'm still trying..... but help is welcomed.

[yunage]

Aah this lesson is KILLING me. But I'm having so much fun, thank you mr. Gussow! I wonder a bit if a more expensive harp makes the one/two hole draw easier. I got a really cheap one.

[MisterPignose]

Hey Professor, you are pretty arrogant (per comment below) showing your belly button like that but another great lesson on tone!

[Philosofy1]

While working on vibratto years ago, I came to the conclusion it was like making a sheep noise: baa-baaa. Is that basically it? My Adam's apple doesn't seem to move when I do that.

[Philosofy1]

A quick question: I've been listening to you, and getting away from the "quack quack" on the one hole draw, but when I drop my jaw, it sounds to me like I'm just bending the note. It sounds good (to me, at least), and like what you are trying to convey, but won't that be a different note from the "quack", since its bent?

[dipbait]

I have the same question. Bending is easy. Is bending back and forth the same thing?

[JimmJacob]

boy are you arrogant

[Philosofy1]

I just searched for your user name on YouTube. Do you have any videos of you playing harmonica?

[bluezharp]

Pholosofy1 go to itunes and listen to clips of Adam playing with Satan. Just search for Satan and Adam

[bluezharp]

No he is not. You mis-understand his intentions.

[Philosofy1]

I meant JimmJacob, not Adam. I was defending Adam from the arrogant comment.

[unclevit]

Adam, put your lessons in a CD and sell. Let me know when it's ready. Best teacher you are.

[KudzuRunner]

The first 33 YouTube lesons are available on a DVD. See modernbluesharmonica dot com. Also, all the YT lessons are available as mp3--the audio tracks--for instant download. Same URL.

[ldrib]

I've wanted to play for years. I would pick it up & leave it for extended times. Today I checked "Blues Harp" on YouTube & I was lucky enough to find your videos...Thanks so much for your HELP!!! Learned more in 30 mins than ever before.

[hdsj1401]

hey that was great, i was thinking of buying a harp, is a Lee Oskar Major Diatonic In A key a good Harp to start off with???

[pazzmanmusic]

That is a good one... Personally I prefer the Honer for that Key.. the Lee Oskar tends to be brighter and is easier to bend.. but for that Key I like a honer special 20, and it will be a little cheaper as well... Also might want to recommend the C harp for your first... (but the A is great for E blues- and check out the 12 bar blues lesson i posted...) Cheers and good luck!

mp

[chovaum]

yeahhhh thankssssssssssssss

[whatwhenwhy33]

Mr.Wonderful-one of my favourite players.He loves the harp and the music more than he loves himself(unlike most other modern american players).This is what it's all about!

[RX1986]

hey adam, i do read in a book abt hand and tongue vibrato...and the throat vibrato. will it hurt ur throat when u practise that ? thanks.becos i am a vocalist, dun wish to hurt my throat.

[pupuke65]

Hey Adam, I have found that by varying the pressure very slightly as I draw, I think I'm getting some vibrato. Does this sound right to you or am I cheating to get a similar sound?

[KudzuRunner]

It depends. That's the way some chromatic players do it; it's also an OK way of getting blow vibrato. I dont think it's a workable draw vibrato technique.

[slapshot4aero]

Adam I'm 45 years old,and have just picked up the Hamnoica because I like the sounds it makes.

I find your vid's most helpful in figuring out how to play I need lot's of practice,and books explain how to do it,but you "teaching" is far better than reading a book on how to do it THANKS!

Slapshot

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks, Slapshot. My goal is to give you the tools to take the instrument as far as you'd like.

[TYSOHN]

The belly one seems too hard.

[professordiabolical]

Thanks to your vids I've advanced more in a week than i have in two months

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks, everybody, for your very generous comments.

[eastyz]

I think I was meant to be a genius at the harmonica but nobody ever told me: lol. These are my first lessons and I am learning heaps. Thank you so much.

[kokoro86]

My words cannot express the gratitude at your benevolent gift of experience.

Thanks also for not holding back.If I could give 10 stars, I would.

You have further inspired me!

[Mueleski]

Thanks Adam. Vibrato has always been a weak point in my playing. These last two lessons have helped clear up some things on it for me.

[rockytheharp]

After playing harmonica for over forty years I can honestly say that this gentleman is the best thing that ever happened to the harmonica enthusiast...

Pay close attention, you are in for a real treat !

God Bless Adam !

Rocky "The Harp" Perryman 56Deluxe / Tucson, Az

[Erikjr21]

i always liked that 1 draw sound i heard it on order blues records and tried to emulate it but never heard many talk about it. thanks

[eldrick311]

i've gotten much better since practicing that exercise

[lianxin0216]

keep coming

3Q !

[randylmoody]

im starting to get better thanks to you!

[66rich66]

thanks for all the postings and your efforts....

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks.