Sonny Boy Williamson II tips on C harmonica

[freddiemercerful]

Does anyone know where I can find a backing tune like this to jam to on my harp? I wish someone would put a video up of one.

[RonnieShellist]

@freddiemercerful check out the video description..then head to Harmonica123 on the web

[leeoskar1]

sonny boy lives,how do you get those bends tongue blocking?

[micknew2]

I've been trying to learn that Sonny Boy lick for years! Thanks Ronnie! You have made it understandable so I am able to play it, now all I need to do is smooth it out and speed it up.

Thanks again!

[fitdoherty]

guauuuuuuuuuuu, i wan learn to play this!

[putjatovadim]

классно

[rrgodgagge]

I've now watched many different people trying to teach me (and hopefully other people aswell) how to play the harmonica. Your and "dbigwalker" videos is by far the best, thanks alot for uploading these tutorials. I've learnt alot and i especially appreciate the sonny boy williamsson-technique revealings.

Thank you! From Sweden

[sosavidz]

your fucking good haha

[foodmonster111]

what key is this bro?

[saavedra29]

This drives me crazy!!! I don't know about harmonica (2 days ago i bought my first one) but i think you play at least great!

[Dalsir1]

Do you know what key harp Sonny Boy was using in `Nine below zero` ?

Also intereresting that while being in Europe, he used Echo Vamper. Maybe wanted to show that there`s nothing `magical` about marine bands..

[MrDidjcripey]

@Dalsir1 He was playing a 'D' harp in second position. I doubt if Sonny boy gave a damn about what harp he was playing; he probably played marine bands because they were cheap and easily available.If he'd needed a new harp while he was in Europe he would most probably have only been able to get the echo vamper. Check him out in 'Gettin out of town' playing the Echo vamper through his nose!

[Videodude1939]

@MrDidjcripey He is playing a "C" harp in second position.

[surrealIdeal]

@Dalsir1 on the recording, he used a harp in F (playing in C). but if you mean the live version on youtube: he's playing a D harp.

[Dalsir1]

@surrealIdeal Yes, the same one here I like best ! Tnx, man. I guess I need to buy some more keys after all :)

[chat801]

damm c

[hailthenewstorm]

YES MATE, killer! Inspiring

[7re33]

what do you do at 1:33 to get that sound, its also done at 2:08-:09. your harmonica skills are exceptional by the way

[surrealIdeal]

@7re33 he's playing octaves, using 'tongue blocking'.

[aerycksmusic]

Thanks man, right on the button! Peace, Eric.

[doorknocker28]

Nice!

[bluesharmonicaplaya]

Sweet!  I'm Diggin' it!

[dozie85]

this is not a c harp dude

[surrealIdeal]

@dozie85 yes it is!

[esupanyoru]

@dozie85 try a 2 or 4 draw on your c. It'll fit the music perfectly.

[TheFstapes66]

damn ronnie ya make me wanna practice all day!!!! obviously this aint sonny boy but this was a damn good video

[Janicemaxwell]

Damn you play a KILLER HARP. I'm totallly impressed. You have spent a lot of tie practing and are wonderful. Keep up the good work.

[farucdagoona]

what harmonica is that....specifically?

[RonnieShellist]

@farucdagoona Customized Hohner Marine Band by Nelson at Buster Harps. If anyone wants to reach him, check the video description.

[ChangFunkMan]

very good

[kindagoofy1]

Wish I could play like that!

[almoothie]

Many thanks Sir, excellent

[buddie1998]

Thanks for sharing your talents. It is nice to be able to pause and try your assorted tips. I am taking harp lesson from a very talented local Ottawa guy..But the more I learn..the less I know...lol.. It is an easy instrument to play but nearly impossible to master...

[MasterMcG]

Its freaking me out, but you kinda look like ol sonny when ya play.

[Tezman82]

Top notch man, thanx for the inspiration. (I was starting to get lazy)

[GUAINIS]

what is armonic? PRO HARP HOHNER IN C ???

[970ronaldo]

two dislikes? why? this was very very good! I will try this :)

[trin75xx]

man, i have been trying so hard to learn what your explaining from 5:20-5:45..can't quite get it..but i'll keep trying

[Menghevoli]

Very nice. You just need to adjust a bit the groove.....

[louise195801]

I've just booked marked you.

[Firkantet]

Impressiv man! Please keep up your super work!

[Firkantet]

Impressiv man! Kep up your super work!

[1JustKai1]

awsome!

[ricaurtecaro]

me sorprende la capacidad de improvisacion y del entendimiento del folcklor negro

[ricaurtecaro]

excelente musico he quedado sumamente sorprendido y admirado del nivel musical de ronnie , de su capacidad de improvisacion de como entiende el swing negro siendo blanco, creo que es la prueba que para interpretar el blues es tan solo sentirlo y sobretodo practicar. felicitaciones hombre

[gobling5235]

Thank you Ronnie for that inspiring vid

About that famous Sonny Boy 'Help Me' lick-

First, from listening to the original rec i get the impression it is a longer, repetaitve one. every triplet-eights are played

socond, i believe it is based on a draw-blow sequence, when he is repeating it, switching from playing the G note one time 3 blow , then the next time on the 2 draw, and so on, adding "ringing" effect pulling his tongue

[macengregora]

Dude.....It's almost as if I'm listening to the man himself. You got his style down well.

[signofthebeast666]

Bookmarked! So crisp, clean and yet dirty and soulful.

[888binis888]

Bravo Ronnie.That is great playing man.Thanks for the usefull tips

[alagohell1]

Very Good Video Man. Keep on posting!!! I´m learning how to play the harp, and helps a lot.

[guitardriver9]

You rock bro...if you're ever in Monmouth Co. NJ You can play with my band anytime!

[rockarsoul]

the best!! lo mejor q he visto en harp.

[dirtydogvideo]

awsome bro....i just barely started playing?..lol...if i could play at all i'ld be jamming everywhere i went....just because...

[uset5]

Hey man thats great.

[pertwang]

Great sound and very Sonny Boy. Really enjoyed your playing. Thanks.

[11barber11]

great lesson. i,ve been looking for that sonny boy sound for a while and this has really helped me. cheers mate

[MrTheBlueshound]

Thanks Ronnie good stuff

[elzevirpbarreto]

Umbelievable....Awesome....

[elzevirpbarreto]

Hey doing Buddy,

It was really awesome. You truly rock this thing. I'm a bigining blues harmonica player. can you please make out some more videos like this amazing one. Thanks buddy. You're 100% the best.

[surrealIdeal]

question: In 'Help Me' sony boy uses the "chugging" to emphasize the beat. I don't that sound, do you know any tips? thanks anyway for this video.

[surrealIdeal]

you actually look like sony boy , while playing.

[daikath]

Ok, this is so awesome. I just bought a harmonica due to your videos ;). I had some as a kid, mainly as a toy. Had no idea you could make all these sounds with it. If I keep practicing I'll defiinately buy your lessons :).

[harpmanz]

great technique and feel on this ronnie. Reminds me of Gary Primich Sonny style.

gonna jam along with this today :)

[ruevo1]

Sehr, sehr gut - DANKE - Daumen hoch!!!

[hohner2010]

sorry to trouble you i need some help i need as much riff's of sonny boy williamson 2 or 1st because im tring to take off his style and mix it eventually with something else to create myself. could you possibly send me some more riff's just a few and some are kind of hard to work out because im still going through the motions of teaching myself and it's almost been a year now. i will pay you for them if you can help me, i have about 6 of his albums but my brains slow. can you get back.. CAIN

[hohner2010]

brilliant im teaching myself sonny boy's ways it's just a pain trying to figuer out hand tec's , that get the meeewoow sound flowing sweet, any tip's please, i'v tried coping you and sonny it is helping but i find it hard to here what the people listening to me will here???? please help =)

[hohner2010]

brilliant im teaching myself sonny boy's ways it's just a pain trying to figuer out hand tec's , that get the meeewoow sound flowing sweet, any tip's please, i'v tried coping you and sonny it is helping but i find it hard to here what the people listening to me will here???? please help =)

[PapaHarp88]

this vid helps out a lot thank you Mr. Shellist and amazing harp blowin as well!!!!

[MrSpongibob009]

talk in harmanica

[Blinddogjax]

You kick ass Ronnie. Progression... Lmao. I miss playing at bluegrass yard parties with the fam and beach party acoustic blues w friends; I never get to use my hands for valving or tone anymore. I will try to get recorded to go on here some time though I am singing now; at long last. 33 - 33.5 yrs harp but I only began singing 3 yrs ago. Always had to play harp for others... Made a point to never be recorded. Until I was ready...

[SONSAKO]

dmmt man.! it sounds great.!... wow... i'd like play like that some day. (=.

[leoarmonica]

buen sonido..un 7!!

tocas very gussssssssssssss

[colmartien]

Great tone! Critic: watch your progression! A bit too much talking at the beginning. You said it all (well, most of it) in for choruses. Song has nine!

[druglord57]

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I just saw that same question further down. thanks for answering.

[druglord57]

Hi Ronie, at about 2:28 you use a techique that I can't seem to replicate. Is it an octave shake? or maybe flutter tongue?

[harpinKeith]

Lol! i just noticed this...look at 4:49 , no wonder how you locked down Sonny boy's air-tight wah wah's! You must put the IRONMAN grip on your harp! The metal bodys crushed where you put your left index finger and thumb at! That's some INTENSE playin' there Hulk! lol good stuff!

[harpinKeith]

Hey Ronnie,

One of my favorite vids! Quick question tho...What's that technique called that you do @2:26?...And how do are you doing that?? Is that a tongue flicker with blocking? Thanks alot! I love your style of harpin!

[RonnieShellist]

I call it a tongue warble...try gong for an octave on 2/5 draw then move your tongue side to side and the notes I actually alternate are 3 draw and 5 draw. So, you only need to move the tongue a bit to produce that sound.

[moveonupcb]

@RonnieShellist What make of harmonica are you sung on this clip?

[RonnieShellist]

@moveonupcb custom harp by Nelson...anyone an message me for more details

[pozegausaill]

@moveonupcb Bro you are better then me ,,i never said that too noo one ! ..I play in Chicago..nice ,..

it is the soul!! .. Nice!

[Roger4459]

@RonnieShellist

Thanks for this excellent video, Ronnie.

Familiar backing track. Where can I get it?

[zardozica]

Gibsoner - any harp priced around $30 will get you started. As far as keys, you need a key 4 notes higher than the music to play blues in second position. So if the music is in G you need a C harp. However since a guitar has 2 E strings you might want to get an A as well.

[gibsoneer321]

Great playing Ronnie,you remind me of Ronnie Earl, I'm a guitar player and play some harp,would like to do more, do you recomend any brand harp?Also what is the rule of thumb for getting the right key for harp in any song. sorry if this might sound stupid

[jonsta]

Quality mate, I'm a huge SBII fan, loved it!!!

[OscarCommie]

This is really wonderful! Thank you very much for posting it.

[hillspring13]

Good God ... you've nailed down Sonny's style air-tight. Fantastic playing! Cheers, Mark, UK

[venusdelacuartafila]

fuuuuck man!!

wooooww

[ChaingangBobby]

Great lesson Ronnie. Just got some of your other lessons and they're smokin. Thanks so much.

[icibizzi]

Very nice Ronnie, please more of that, i have nearly everything you can get of Sonny Boy and i´d love to learn more licks from him.

Greetings, icibizzi

[mindisgeminii]

As usual this was great, very hot. Thank you! Cheers!!

[Gregparkerblues]

Loved your Sonny 2 demo/lesson, Ronnie. Respect, Greg

[belleray2]

Thank you Ronnie. You are always a great help for my inspiration. Nice playing again.

[WASSBI82]

awesome bro....you are an inspiration.

[cfreeman66]

Hey Ronnie. Glad you posted a Sonny Boy video. I've been trying to learn some of those licks lately, but I haven't quite got the playing the harp with my nose like he did. HAHA

[harpinKeith]

Ronnie,

That was an incredible jam man!! You have quite an arsenal at your disposal, i don't think i heard the same trick played more than once, and you played for what seemed like 4 or 5 minutes srtaight! I also heard some slick ass licks that i've never even heard Sonny boy play. And i KNOW Sonny Boy, he inspired me to pick up the harp, i've learned 95% of what i know from listening to his cd's over and over again. Outstanding bro! You've re-inspired me with just the kind of blues i love!

[RonnieShellist]

Thanks Keith, I appreciate you tuning in. Sonny Boy was certainly a huge influence on me..wish I had spent more time really getting down all of his killer licks and nuances. I guess I try to capture the essence of his spirit/soul.

[RonnieShellist]

i recorded this track of me playing and posted it along with 3 other jams at a brand new myspace page where i plan on posting gigs/new music etc. see the video description if you'd like to friend me there

[stoelefj]

Amazing harp playing! Great tone and phrasing hha.

[marcofognog]

Very cool!!

[icibizzi]

Hey Ronnie, very coooooool, finally my favorite Player teaches me the Blues licks i love best !!!

Many Thanks

icibizzi

[mimic0303]

thank you !!

♪cool♪cool♪cool♪cool♪cool♪

mimi.

[xxxxharp]

Great job Ronnie and a great post! Time, tone and taste Baby !!! Jay

[vitorbarbosa]

Ok... I got to buy one of these... 5* :D

[johnwmking]

Of the you tubers you get my vote tried the usual tutor books but failed until i found a 1965 copy of harmonica blues by tony little sun glover that just said go for it learn what your doing later Your style suits my learning best and has helped me sound like me. Early days but never too old to blow and too young to die. Cheers man

[HandwhistlerBen]

You are fantastic! It is so interesting to listen to the different sound qualities that are produced by your right hand.

[solidgoldeazyaction]

haha, Wow! That was fantastic really enjoyed this one.

[sk8ergangsta2003]

yeahhhh. Sonny boy is probably my favorite harp players (and one of the only ones i know)

[CaguamaTom]

Awesome playing there ronnie! thanks a lot for the tips!