Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed (Gussow.017)

[gorblimey61]

Okay, I'm able to get an overblow on hole 6 of my C harp after pushing the blow reed down closer to the plate. I can definitely hear the transition from a G note to a Bb, but now sometimes I can't get a clear G note on a straight blow. Do I need to bend the reed back up a little?

[59jimkay]

Very 'White' (anal) but I DO appreciate you taking the time, sir, to share with me all you know.

I've been playing "Blues" Harp for almost 50 yrs and the question I ask myself as 'true' bluesman (can I say that?) is: "Would Howlin Wolf, or Jimmy Reed, or Little Walter do this" when I consider taking playing my harp?

[KudzuRunner]

@59jimkay: The funny thing about the word "bluesman" is that it's an invention of white folklorists. It's not a word Howlin Wolf, Jimmy Reed, or Little Walter ever used. I try to avoid it.

[rozita3003]

Harmonica hack!XD Thanks for sharing

[sfsfhfshfs]

Great stuff, your vids are still helping harp players four yrs on. good on ya ;-)

[cxmxbx52]

I was wondering if that in between sound when approaching the overblow is ever of use as a multiphonic effect to suggest a chord. For example if you play the blow note and the overblow in hole 6 of a C harp, you get the notes G and Bb and then it would suggest of Gm chord?

[PRPWR]

hey I can't see the video!! Until the end??? Is something wrong?? Please help!!

[MrNeilpeartfan]

Just downloaded some of your songs from Kick and Stomp great stuff! :D

[MrNeilpeartfan]

Does one have to modify their harps to play overblows more successfully?

[rosstones1]

I watched this lesson a year or so ago and it has changed my harmonica life! The practical use of overblows in the blues! I don't care about playing John Coltrane tunes in all keys. This is really useful stuff. Thanks!

[laurinwillis]

Adam, thanks for all your help. I have a question.How can i get my 1,2, and 3 draws to bend more than 1 semitone?

[pe003]

I have a strange question. do you adjust harps to play over blows and strong bends? or do you use different harps or are you adjusting different reeds on the same harp. beause in one of your pervious video you suggested opening the draw reed to increase bend ability and at the end of this one you say that clossing them can help over blow. as a side not I really like the jazz sound your making in this video, it fasinates me to see what sounds can come out of this instument its very expressive.

[KudzuRunner]

@pe003: Your question is excellent, actually. Yes, there's a paradox: if I want to adjust a harp to overblow, I close down the gap on the 4, 5, and 6 holes, to the point just BEFORE the reeds stick. That usually does the trick. If I need to, I then close down the draw reeds on those holes. But when you close draw reeds, you begin to make the bends more difficult. (This is particularly true on the 3 draw.) So I try to avoid tweaking the draw reeds down, unless I have to.

[pe003]

@KudzuRunner thanks do you have any advice for using blow bends in first position?

[Hellisntgood]

sıkıldım aq izlerken ne boktan bir videodur lan bu

[cpplatham]

Been watchin a lot of your stuff as well as Jason Ricci's and I just wanted to let you know I appreciate it. Been playin harp for about 5 years and because of this video I can finally branch out into other modes and positions.

In shorts, Thanks.

[Conf1ictz]

yeah, thats gonna take a while to get

[legopoof]

I have no idea where to buy those CDs. I wish I did

[poundofpoop]

Thanks for the tuning lessons I'm just 2 months into learning the harp and now my 10 yr old wants to try. my harp plays way better now, At 46 yrs old I'm learning to play. guess your never to old Right. Thanks again Bro. Charles

[Tariqalhajri]

how do you reassemble the plates on the marine band? Theres no screws just nails...

[kmkellner]

Adam,

I love what you do and my sound is very close to yours. I have watched your vid on overblows 10 times but still ca not do it. What must I do? I have great control, musicality, and experience but everytime I try to overblow I get that squeally sound like the note is sickly and strained. I have tried closing the gap of the reed to no avail. what am I missing?

Thank you,

Ken

Richmond VA

[XPMBblues]

Try with hole a hole 6 or higher, blow into the harp in the regular way. Move the front part of your tongue upwards and *slightly* forward. Kind of like the movement you would do if you were to spit as far as possible. Jaw movement is *not* needed. It's difficult to explain, so if it still doesn't work, blow and move your tongue around (and modify its shape) until you get a change in sound..

[daddyrichispoor]

Thanks for the tips. I find a toothpick works well for me sometimes when "jimmying" the reeds.

i'll try to make it by the tip jar sometime.

peace,

-$DR$

[OlleGranat]

Hi Adam, thanks for the lesson! I can do overblows fairly easy now, but I have a really irritating problem, every time i adjust my harps to overblow, they go flat! I just did it on my C MB deluxe and the 6 hole blow sounds awful.. Do you have any idea how I can avoid it?

Thanks.

Olle.

[KudzuRunner]

Overblowing per se can be hard on blow reeds, but if yours is going flat soon after you adjust it, you're probably stressing or even scoring the reed in a way that weakens it. I can't diagnose beyond that. Visit the forum search at Modern Blues Harmonica (one of the last pages on the website) and search "overblow." Lots of threads!

[tommror]

Sweet, i adjusted my Bb Marine band and after about 15 min managed the 6 overblow pretty decent. About 1 hour later i actually managed the same thing on my Lee Oscar C harmonica without even adjusting it. Great lesson!

[Zambeezo]

I bought ya cd! Harlem blues anyway, and its awesome. Whats the best album for some of the slower blues you have shown us?

[AeonSteampunk]

I've almost got it, I can get it to that growling vibration state just before it pops but cant seem to get it further. Ive managed it a few times by accident but can't seem to get it back. Any tips on this? I found Howard Levys explanation very helpful, bend 8 blow then do the 6 blow. That's worked well for me to this stage. Really struggling with this.

[rosstones1]

hey the videos on overblows have really helped me. Its been refreshing to hear a blues player use them tastefully and not trying to play in every key and be all Howard about it. Im gonna post some saxophone lesson videos soon.

[KudzuRunner]

I couldn't be all Howard about it if I tried; that's probably why I went in this direction. It's taken me years to realize that I'm Hank Crawford living in Charlie Parker's world. I'm not a jazz genius, just an R&B guy working hard with the tools I've got.

[surfer1124]

Thank you very much for all of the videos. They are helping immensely. I'm having one problem. I was working on the upper octave and all of a sudden the 8 Draw was making no sound, so I tried 8 Blow and it reluctantly sounded. Going from 8 Blow to 8 Draw it will sound weakly, and then go silent again. I tried loosening the reed thinking that may be the problem, but no luck. I'm stuck. I was wondering if you knew of what it might be or if you have any other tricks up your sleeve. Thanks, Adam!

[trustyadam13]

Okay so I am overblowing(i think) and i'm just getting that really rough, kinda vibrating sound like you were in the video a little bit...except i'm getting it on every hole i try to overblow...And i can kind of hear the overblow note within the rough vibrating sound i'm playing...I've only been playing about half a year( since christmas) but i can bend just about every note... But I was surprised to think that I'm already overblowing...any help you can offer would be great =)

[LesterBflat]

I've been playing for years and could never understand how to overblow. It was because of this video and Adam's way of explaining overblows that I finally got it. Thanks Adam, you've opened up a whole new world for me.

I'm re-inspired.

[KudzuRunner]

I'm delighted at that news. It's stories like this that make me glad I embarked on this YouTube venture.

[PieJesuG]

Do you need to blow any harder to get the overblow?

On my trials, the blow reed stops sounding but the draw reed doesn't tone... It is the draw reed that creates note... Isn't it!?

[tenichols10]

yea the blow read "chokes" and the draw reed plays the not. try not to blow any harder, its more of a pressure thing than a power thing

[Aliksandr]

SHIT! I had never try to overblow thinking it was going to be too difficult, but knowing how to bend and watching your video I got it the first time. THANK YOU ADAM SO MUCH YOU MADE ME HAPPY TODAY!!

[Snotlingfondler]

im getting a hohner marine band next and im gonna try out all this on my old one first haha, i aint wreaking a £30 harp :P

great info and i am in awe of your playing

[KudzuRunner]

Would you say the same thing about the violin? With all due respect, you evidence the problem: most people don't take the harmonica seriously.

[chicoventura]

Ive been playing for years and always wondered how to do so many things you do. Thanks so much for your tutorials.

[LongingCirkel]

A tip to everyone who's struggling on overblows (I have for quite a while): learn to play them before adjusting your harp like our harphero did in this vid. Only if you're able to play them you'll notice the difference when your harp is finetuned. I learned the hard way by just keeping on trying even on the high harps, and now I can get them (although they come slow) I went back to this vid and finetuned my harp a bit and yes: quick and easy the overblows come!

Thanks a million, mr. Gussow.

[plasticbudgie]

Also your videos inspired me to go buy my own hard i have a Honer marine band D...

What kinda sounds should i be looking at aiming for!

[plasticbudgie]

Adam please may i ask how long did it take before your skills became respectable.

cause now damn man... you sure have some black soul inside you!

[KudzuRunner]

I started playing in 1975. I was OK by 1985, but then I met Nat Riddles and my playing took a major leap. I met Sterling Magee in 1986 after working the streets of NYC and Europe for a year; after three years with him, playing the streets of Harlem, I was respectable.

[plasticbudgie]

Wow man thats some impressive time spent...

and look how it turned out!!

I'm very impressed... also your tutorials are very fun and you your character make watching them even more enjoyable. !! keep up the great work buddy.

[Sacapateitas]

i find that holes 6,5, and 4 (in that order) are the easiest for getting overblows if you're trying this for the first time. ps you are really talented adam.

[KudzuRunner]

I agree about the order of those three holes.

[ColinCampbell15]

I'm confused. Is an overblow the same as a blowbend? With some extra breath and a change of tongue position I can change the pitch of holes 7 8 9 blow. Working on 6 blow now. colinc

[KudzuRunner]

A bend--blow or draw--always LOWERS the pitch. An overblow always RAISES the pitch. So no, they're not the same thing.

[bencho8787]

I got a little question...I didn't get it right...If I do that (pushing the reed a little bit up), do I still get to play the normal 5 blow or does the normal 5 blow sound like an overblow?

[KudzuRunner]

You still get the normal 5 blow. Just don't push it up too far or you'll get to the point where the 5 blow will stick--it won't sound.

[sknBcm9]

I use MS series Hohner replacement reeds.

I have found overblows, but never knew that was overblows. I usually position reeds closer to the plate to achieve bends and overblows with less effort and squeal, by gently bending them closer, and testing before attaching coverplates.

[thuppy007]

Adam

Bless you. I hope to meet you one day in harp heaven - Harmonica Lewinsky, London

[TootsWannaBe]

Just want to let Adam know that I successfully achieved OBs (4, 5, 6) after watching this vid. It took a lil gapping & a few tries. I still need to fine-tune my technique. 4 still sounds like a mule & 6 is a hit & miss, but 5 sounds perfect & I can even hold the note.

So, thank you Adam Gussow. You are a fine ambassador of Blues harp.

[codica666]

I can play a 6 Overblow on 2 harps (Eb and F). No chance still on all of my other harps. Two questions: is it easyer to overblow on higher key harps and is the 6-hole overblow easyer to get than the 4 or 5 overblow?

[KudzuRunner]

Actually, the high harps are much harder to overblow, and the 6 blow on those two harps is quite a feat. Most people have better luck on C or lower.

[codica666]

Guess what I've done in the month since my last post: I stopped U-blocking, I learned to pucker and now it comes: I just did my first overblow!! It made me so happy I almost fell from my chair when it worked the first time.

I think the choice of harmonica (and the reed adjustment) is crucial for beginners. I am currently able to overblow on my Eb Suzuki Fire Breath (thanks Jason Ricci). These harps seem indeed to be adjusted for out of the box overblows.

[yarhman75]

Hi Adam, one quick question. I modified my Special 20 for overblows on holes 4,5,6 and can get them pretty well most of the time. The problem is that sometimes after an overblow the corresponding draw reed then sticks and is unplayable until I tap it on my leg or really draw a lot of air through the harp. Is there someway to overcome this? Perhaps increasing the gap on the draw reed?

[KudzuRunner]

I've never had this particular problem, so it's hard for me to diagnose and prescribe a cure at this distance. If a reed sticks, the usual cure is to open it up just a hair.

[mottag8830]

I have that same problem, I just keep making little adjustments until the reed is adjusted enough to overblow but not to much to stick. Also I find that some keys are hard to adjust the reeds perfectly. C for me is the easiest

[yarhman75]

Actually I found that the problem for me wasn't the reed adjustment but simply my technique. I was just trying too hard and not focusing on "invisioning" the note properly in my mind. Still can't get them seamlessly enough to play at speed but I can now get them to sound clearly and without any noticable distortion. Just remember that they really don't require force to create!

[codica666]

Absolutely true. I think the biggest mistake one makes when trying to overblow is to apply to much force (air pressure) on the harp.

[victory01]

you are a great teacher!

thank you for taking the time to make these videos and sharing the art of playing and also modifying the harmonica.

[abmiram161]

Hey Adam! Quick question -- I have an old Bb Hohner Bluesharp I'm practicing overblows on... do I need to modify the blues harp in the same way I would need to on a marine band?

Thanks so much for the wonderful videos! I'm learning tons!

[KudzuRunner]

I suspect that you do, but it's impossible to give a firm answer, since each harp is different. I don't modify every harp, just the ones where my OB technique doesn't immediately produce a useable sound.

[clrn2mt]

If you close (decrease) the offset on the blow reeds they will be easier to blow bend right? Then you said close the offset on the draw reeds also. I thought you recommended increasing the offset on draw reeds for better draw bending. Sorry. A little confused here. One more thing. Doesn't the wood on that marine band rip your tongue and lips to shreds? Can that comb be sanded down smooth?

[KudzuRunner]

I rarely have problem with the wooden reeds, but others sometimes do. When they swell too much with spit, I'll use the small blade of a Swiss Army knife to trim the nubs. About offset: I never said anything in this video about blow bends. I was speaking about overblows. It's easier to get the overblows to kick in if you decrease the offset on the blow reeds--and, if need be, decrease the offset on the draw reeds on those holes.

[clrn2mt]

Thank you! You are a great teacher and awesome, inspiring musician.

[dugiri]

u speak to much! and we cant hear how u play..:(.. or how u can play whit the tecniques that u teach..

[Stevelegh]

Top stuff if you want to learn overblows.

[bluzlvr]

Thanks for the tips, although I'm still chasing the illusive overblow. My question is, is it acchieved tongue-blocking or lip pursing style?

[KudzuRunner]

Lip pursing! Although a few plucky souls can produce an overblow or two while tongue-blocking, most of us--Howard Levy, Jason Ricci, and I, for example--don't overblow while tongue-blocking.

[fathompin]

Wow, I about blew myself silly until the idea occurred to me to try lip pursing (LP) (which I never do). It made all the difference and your comment was a week too late for me. My question now is how do people who learned to play using tongue blocking (TB) incorporate LP into their style for using overblows at will? Drop TB entirely over time, or adopt a combination of both techniques? This is my first day using LP, I'm unsure how easy it easy to switch between the two styles and how to proceed.

[KudzuRunner]

Good question. Since I didn't do this myself, I can't answer it. But surely one of my subscribers can--and I hope s/he will, here.

[codica666]

Interesting point. In his videos Dan Gage (hope I spelled the name right) claims that you should learn both TB and LP in order to become a more versatile harp player. He may be right but I really have problems with TB (not my bag really). What's even worse: I play U-blocking because it works best for me. I hope it's possible to get an OB with my technique... it hasn't worked so far. I don't think it's a question of harp setup as I have 4 harps and it didn't work on any of those.

[KudzuRunner]

I think you'll have an almost impossible time overblowing while U blocking.

[codica666]

Argh :S I really do hope that you are wrong on that one. I'll try another bit maybe I'll get that 6 hole overblow eventually. I even adjusted my harp in the meantime lets hope it helps. Can't be worse than bending the 10hole blow.

Btw. for all beginners: if you're looking for a nice harp that's easy to play, try the Hohner Pro Harp series (black cover). Very nice harps.

[otisglock]

I bought last year a Suzuki Folk Master, C, 10 holes. I'm not very good but I want to learn how to play. Your videos are awesome. I think my harmonica needs to be adjusted, because I never opened it yet. I will check your others videos and start trying your tips.

Thanks

[1973fenderrhodes]

hey adam et al,

First off, awesome. Second, could this be harder with an old harp? I'm trying to set up a Hohner Blues Harp in C that i've had probably 10 years. There is some tarnishing on both reed plates. I can get the overblow notes but they only seem to wanna sound if I blow them LOUD. To my understanding if my tongue placement is correct they should really sound at any dynamic level. Could my reeds just be less responsive due to age?

[KudzuRunner]

When you're first learning how to overblow, louder is much easier. That's still true for me, 20 years later.

[neuropatico]

For anyone struggling with is, I've a few tips. The movement you make with your tongue is the reversed of the bend. so you start flated out in the back of the mouth and move it forward arching it up. For smokers who can blow rings, this excact movement, but in slomo. Then on a certain moment the reed stops sounding, here is the key thing.. don't try and blower harder but add presure with your tongue. It's all about presure

[neuropatico]

Nevermind I got it, just like that lol

[neuropatico]

I've got a little question concerning overblows... is it common that overblows on 4-5-6 are much harder than let's say the 8-9. Cause I can pop those up fairly easy now, but on the 6, after adjusting it, it takes such an incredible amount of force to just come anywhere near the overblow. Is this just a matter of practise or better adjustments? Or both....?

[eastyz]

Adam, I hope you make heaps of money. Thanks for the lessons.

[fabzzzxxx]

dear adam....Sebastien Charlier( a french!!!) have making a good video on the subject (overblow/draw....) see that!!! and listen this man for that!!!!

anyman dont play any music but i like you soo much ....no problem.....your'r THE bluesman!!!!!!

[ZackPomerleau]

Amazing video. Adam, you should make a quick little thing on Overdraws for us who are interested. Makes me wonder, using a marine band, does the nail just pop back in?

[KudzuRunner]

You know what? I have tried to overdraw and just can't do it. Somebody needs to make an instructional video for ME, dang it.

[hankshreve]

Oh man... thanks so much for posting this! You are so helpful! Keep up the great work Adam!

[tombsix]

I juste would like to add something conserning overblows: I have been managing to do some overblows for a long time until a realized that sometimes it is absolutely necessary to open the harp and set the gap of the blow reed otherwise you won't be able to choke it at all.

Actually it is explained in his video, but the first time i have seen it, i understood that these settings were just a way to improve the quality of the note when overblowed.

[tombsix]

Thank you for sharing you knowledge. It is really a chance for people learning Harp to follow such lessons. I do believe that the best way to learn is to learn in person with somebody experienced and try to immitate. Thiese video do it well even if it's not like been there is person.

[Erikjr21]

just for anyone out there that is short on suplies after watching this i took a common food fork and vice grips and bent all the teeth back but one and it made a good jewlers file supstitute

[nighttrainjames]

I went out and bought a Bflat pro series, the seventh hole practically overblows itself! The harp seems perfectly gapped as you described it should be for draw notes...Great stuff;)

[KudzuRunner]

Blogward and NTJ, you've both spoken of a 7 hole overblow. I've never talked about that; I can't play it and didn't even know it was there. Congratulations! You're paving fresh ground here.

[nighttrainjames]

Well fancy that:) It really does bend itself. I posted a couple videos practicing the craft, hope you can visit. I showed my son movies of you and satan, MAN can he sing! My son and I are a guitar/harmonica duo and appreciate the contribution. NTJ

[blogward]

The warm fuzziness spreads from Mississippi to South London.

[blogward]

I hope I'm not talking rubbish - no, he blows the eighth hole then slides down to seven, it sounds like he's bending eight...that's what you get for buying malt whisky for your birthday.

[blogward]

Or is it seven to six? It wouldn't be the first time I asserted complete crap as gospel.

[nighttrainjames]

Thunky fing is in my grasp, having you do it in Bflat certainly helps;) The high notes on my D actually got STIFFER as I played. Lead on. brother, I will surely follow;) NTJ

[blogward]

Great as ever Adam - for those trying overblows, the easiest one to get first is probably the 7 hole, the one that Magic Dick does on the start of Whammer Jammer. You don't necessarily have to blow hard, just get the very precise mouth position. I always thought it was a blow bend I was doing!

[Erikjr21]

that isn't a blow bend all be damed

[blogward]

yeah, sorry, six hole overblow. Can't count.

[harp2swing]

Looking forward to more,more,more. Thanks Adam

[wetland10]

This is fantastic information. Thanks.

[chrismichalek]

Awesome job Adam. Thanks for doing this.

[N1LLe]

nice video

[ceilidhe]

As always, excellent information Adam, thank you. Including harp adjustment/modification guidance with video (although challenging to record and to see) is a really great idea. Fairly difficult to find harp adjustment information on the net. Thanks.

[nomoboy]

I don't know where to find the time to do all this, but keep it coming anyway Adam. I haven't felt so "pumped up" about my harmonica since I've got my copy of R&B Harmonica from Jon. You're not only a great teacher, but also a great motivator,thanks...

[pagmatic]

I was doing a Google search about Satan and Adam. Found a nice explanation over at Wikipedia. Then, I came on here and lo and behold--you're talking about S&A.

Also, a couple minutes before coming here, I was telling another beginner how I didn't know what an overblow was and what for. Again, you explained that.

Thanks for another informative vid. Keep them coming.

[honeydawg]

Very cool Adam... I love the tune Tenor Madness, and an overblow lesson to boot. Thanks! keep 'em coming