Have to start somewhere (Early first harmonica performance)

[snowypetrel]

I love the tussle with the mic and the flautist :-)

[Urbanomad22]

Awesome, love old stuff, if I learn the 12 bar blues can I play in a band?

[ytza3]

so nice of you to share this video.. you shouldn't be ashamed of it though.. i mean.. it makes some of us feel a bit better and have more hope and at the same time it shows how much you managed to progress.. so you should feel pretty good about it !

[1RAVENGANG52]

wow thanks this makes me feel better thanks jason

[ChickertyChina]

I hope you found the mongrel who switch harmonicas on you LOL (Wait maybe this is how I sound - I'm off to record myself playing)

[countrynole]

damn, Jason. You've come a long way. Thanks for this. it definitely puts my own development in perspective. Thank you.

[patagonia18ki]

so it´s great to see that your were not born as the god of the harp. makes me feel much better.

thank,s from argentina!1

[BlackRockCat]

I am adding this to my favorite list !!! This is helpful to cheer up beginners like me.

[blowingharp]

@BlackRockCat I did the samething put it on my favorite list. haha.. I've being playing the harp for awhile now (self-taught) but when I listen to Ricci now, I get discourged. He is sick good!!!

[angrykoopa]

i love this!!! whenever i get frustrated i come and watch this to remind myself even gods were once human haha

[MickeyAllums]

Jason, ..... I am so proud that you posted this! ... It is like a bi-polar person, like my self, finally coming out of denial and learning to deal with the realities of the Sprite of the harp, that is within you. I love you brother! Mick

[shlitser]

haha good stuff jason! I remember my first time infront of a crowb.Mannys carwash on a sunday jam jeeeees!

[smaxwell1966]

Dang!......Well, you were out there trying. Thanks!

[sjziro]

WOW! I'm so glad you decided to share this Jason. I understand completely when you say you're ashamed of the footage. I've got some footage like that too. But what's important, is where you've come! This is part of your history! You've come a long way baby! I have to admit, got a couple of good laughs watching this video! But what I see is a young man who was eager to show the people around him that he had something to say and that he wasn't afraid to say it, boldly! Look at ya now! Thanks Jason

[AraguaJam]

so he was there when I was trying to jam over the song, and he took the harp and did it ok, then the guy who asked me to put some harp over his song told me in funny way you are fired... and I was like damm! i got a little embarrased but I wasnt going to cry heheh I said to me well marcos, you have to learn some guitar stuff and train your ears... and well thats my chalengue now.. couse I want to make my music someday and be the owner of it

[AraguaJam]

The band sounds great, but the harp.... not at all XD, it would be great if u could play now with then. This remember me some weeks ago that I got asked to put some harp over a song (becouse some people know I play a little bit) but I couldnt get right i mean i didnt know wich harp or position to use, but there was a friend who played guitar who had asked me some time ago to teach him some harmomica stuff and i had done it...

[daveyg06]

Hey J , I hear ya man. I remeber some of my first jams and they were just as exciteing and rewarding , thats how we all start off !. No one said it was going to be easy to play not without doing the milledge first , and we all still keep on learning thats why I love the harp. Cool Jasson .

Davey.G. New Zealand .:-)

[shas1814]

Just how bad a life do you have to live

to be sent back as a high school music teacher?

ha!

Thanks for posting this, Jason.

Very brave.

It really is encouraging in a gruesome sort of way.

You've come a long way, baby!

[MisterPignose]

I hate to say this Jason, but this is what gives harp players a bad name......really took some guts though!

[blogward]

LOL! Why is it that all school bands are out of tune? And with each other! But Jason, even then you were pushing the envelope. Kudos for posting this.

[theduffharp]

Mister Ricci after watching this video I had what can only be described as a "Road to Damascus" experience. A revelation ! I experienced some sort of fundamental shift, everything is so clear to me now. Thanks again Mister Ricci. All for now.

[jasonricci]

Mister Duff thanks to you sir...

[krizem]

Ignore my below comment soz did not read far enough down

[krizem]

So how long do you think you would have been playing harmonica so far in that clip?

[ashishd88]

Now this video has really inspired me!

It just goes to show that hard work and dedication does pay off..and that Jason was also a beginner at some point!

Thanks for sharing this. I love your videos!

Cheers,

Ashish

[benkalem]

Man, you've come a long way. Good for you. It's actually pretty inspiring to see that with practise anyone can become really good. Just takes a lotta time, but it's well spent when doing what you love.

[HARMONIMONSTER]

Wow!! The ROOTS of RICCI.Actually ,it was very entertaining. the horn section was tight,the drummer had some nice fills,the harp player was in a ZONE . Far out,man !! U R lucky. My high school band wouldn't let me anywhere near them.

[proveit]

As painful as that is to listen to, I love and admire you for sharing it - your truly a blessing to all who benefit from the selfless contributions you give to the harp world at large!!!

PS...I'm going to start calling you Jason "NO EGO" Ricci

[jasonricci]

Thank you!

[Stevelegh]

I heard someone once use the analogy 'babies and dolphins'

Real nice!

I thought self deprication was a uniquely English trait.

Good that you can show this. It gives hope to the harmonica playing world!

[jasonricci]

Thanks Steve hope to get England soon!

J

[elkriverharmonicas]

I was getting into the flute solo. Rock it, girl!

[jasonricci]

The Flute player is Seth who just sent me this vid...

[bradkava]

damn. so once he was human. This makes me feel like for a bit we were on the same planet...

[blueharp1]

Jason, its Purrrrre eeeeeevillll!!!!!!

[aerospacepat]

Heh I wonder what the other kids were thinking.

[jasonricci]

They were think this gut sucks and so does harmonica...

[Jonnyboy117]

I wonder what those other kids think of you now if they heard you play?

[Bargeonin]

Jason, you are one cool charachter! Ironically, this could be your most inspiring video yet.

[jasonricci]

Thats so funny!

[blake46long]

I was SOOOOO better than you in 1991. Sweet.....:)

[harpo10]

HA HA HA HA HA !!

[TREXHARMONICA]

You took one hell of a risk in showing us this Vid, considering youre a professional musician with a Legendary status and all that. But it goes to show that your character is even better and more solid then youre playing. Ive always liked your harp but now your've gone and made me like you too. Thanks for the gift and inspiration. Peace.

[jasonricci]

Thanks Trex...everyone's freaking on this video and why or "How did you Dare" put it up and all but it was just funny and to cool not to put up...Thanks for giving me inspiration back by digging it.

J

[corrindion]

Here is proof!! Decades ago an insidious experiment, carried out by agents of the Evil Empire, was launched in America!!A combination of musical notes, played in a precise order, on harmonica delivers a time release bomb in the brains of all those listening!!! Years later this bomb goes of and either causes incontinence or conversion to extreme Right wing political parties!!Everyone in attendance in that room now wears Depends or supports McCain!More proof?? George Bush was in that room also!

[sopleto]

thanks jason, now i have a real proof that the people you consider a genius have done a really har work. Now i want to play and learn moree and more!! thankss.

sorry my english. Soplete from argentina

[bluesette82]

As a p.s. I think your looks have gone the same way as your playing. Gotten cooler over the years! Not to say you weren't cute as a button back then!

[jasonricci]

THANK YOU SWEET HEART!

[bluesette82]

Thanks for posting this Jason...I think it's admirable that you were actually willing to play with a bunch of people, in front of a bunch of people at that early stage. That takes a lot of courage too, seeing as how a lot of us want to wait till we are geniuses before unveiling our mastery to the world. Yet of course nothing motivates us to learn more like getting in front of a crowd and playing...

[jasonricci]

That Teacher Ray Morrow was and is the best most encourging, obviously patient man ever!

J

[trottleskeeze]

At the age of 16, I was able to play "Lion Sleeps Tonight-Wee-ooh wim-o-weh. Wee-ooh wim-o-weh!!!!!!!!" through my Hohner Echo...Now I'm 33 and I try to play blues since the early Gussow's videos and your videos too. Sometimes, after 2 hours of playing,I want to throw my harmonica away and I ask myself : "Am I sick or slow?- Do I have any skills to play this instrument?" THANKS A LOT for this video. I 'll play like a fool right now even my neighbours think: "what a f... this guy is doing!!!!".

[jasonricci]

U got it!

[belleray2]

Thank you Jason.You have convinced me that dedicated hard practice and a desire to master the harp will eventually pay off.

[elkriverharmonicas]

So... THAT's what you sounded like when you played harps with plastic combs!?! Man, I'm glad you switched to wood!

HAR! HAR!

I don't have any vids of me playing harp at that age (thank GOD!), but somewhere, there is this video of me looking like a jackass dressed like Ronnie Van Zant and lip syncing Free Bird in the lip sync contest. It was recorded the same year this was.

GO WOLVES! or SHELVES! Whatever you hat says.

[elkriverharmonicas]

Jason, that was special. 1991, you would have been playing like a year at that time? Two maybe?

[ollyhock]

how long had you been playing before this video jason?

[jasonricci]

I think a year! or maybe more I think I was 16 maybe seventeen already...I thought I started when I was fifteen but now I'm not sure...

J

[rockndaddy]

Jason, You had a very understanding Music Teacher to let you play with the jazz band. We all sounded that band when we started out, great that you still have the video. I have alot of recordings of myself but none that date back to the beginning of my playing, How long estimated of course would you say that you had been playing by then? That was a great post, I'm sure everybody is inspired to play like crazy now. LOL

[jasonricci]

Thanks R.D. Ray Morrow (Jazz Teacher) WAS and IS the best. As far as how long I had been playing...I think a year! or maybe more I think I was 16 maybe seventeen already...I thought I started when I was fifteen but now I'm not sure...

J

[neesnio]

im a commercial fisher

got my first harp in Cracker Jacks

last year I was playing 18 hrs a day

and I need to say thanks

to all

for yur help

[jasonricci]

Thanks for the comment and all the great fish your catching for us! I'm a big fish eater.

J

[jfgoldstein]

one word: inspirational.

[ZackPomerleau]

P.S. Jason, thanks for showing this. I think most people are either amazing in the beginning, or they never are good. You proved them wrong! Man, those Big Gulps and graveyard shifts at the 7/11 must have really helped, huh?

[jasonricci]

That was it and it was Gopher-Mart with Gopher gulps..You Rule.

K

[ZackPomerleau]

Gopher Mart, ha! Are those still around? Sounds good! How old were you here Jason? Junior/Senior in Highschool?

[jasonricci]

Junior I think...As far as the paying....I think a year! or maybe more I think I was 16 maybe seventeen already...I thought I started when I was fifteen but now I'm not sure...

J

[snarkus]

good vid, J. nice to know you're actually mortal after all.

[harpo10]

Thanks for posting this!You motivated me to woodshed more. I had completely given up. I always assumed you were born a great player. It was incredibly selfless to post this. I would have burned it and sent the ashes to parts of the world where english isnt spoken. Just joking! Seriously though, you really did re-light the fire for me. Thanks for showing us your not a superhero,

just a hero!!You rock!

[jasonricci]

Thanks so much Harpo...I did feel like burning it at first then i thought "Man, Who cares this is awesome and people should see it....I'm overwhelmed at all the positive responce's here!Thanks again.

J

[strawwoodclaw]

wow what happend did you get a really good teacher or did you learn thru books n CDs how ever you learned you took over the blues harp like the Kudzurunner took over Mississippi or was that the other guy? i would love to find a good harp teacher, i never know where to start

[jasonricci]

Hey: Mostly I just started going to shows and watching the pro's and asking a lot of questions and just listening real close...They all told me to just listen to Sonny Boy, Little walter,George smith, Etc...I did, Play...try...rewind...play Try, Rewind over and over like 8 hours a day sometimes...Took a grave yard shift at a 24 hour c store practiced all the time went out and jammed...jammed at parties...Just hung out with good players and listened a lot. Moved if I had too.Played ALL the time!!

[strawwoodclaw]

you must of had alot fun been able to learn that quick. I love it when i get that little bit better on the Harp but its a slow proccess for me hopefully one day it will speed up. It was good seeing you at school. we could only do either Art or Music at school i picked Art but did not like the teacher so i left - that's life

[sodafixer]

You sure have come a long way Jason! Thanks for posting this.

[12gagedan]

If that doesn't inspire people, nothing will. The before and after really shows that it's a process, and that the process requires serious effort/dedication. Do you hear that harmonica world? Practice, Practice, Practice

[DanRidgeway]

No it's not, it's all about what kind of harmonicas you're using :)

[12gagedan]

It's about gear too. If you spend a ton of money, success is a forgone conclusion.

[strawwoodclaw]

yeah i used to spend all my money on gear until i started trying to play my Harmonica

[snarkus]

no, no, no. it's all about wood vs. plastic

[elkriverharmonicas]

That's right snark. Listen to Jason playing plastic comb here. Now listen to him today playing Marine Bands. The difference is undeniable. ;)

[boufgreg]

I loved the way you and the Flute player were fighting over the microphone. The outfits were great, white shirts and tie. What was the name of the band "The Accountants". Actually it would have been pretty good if the others in the band had been in the right key.

[jasonricci]

They were doing better than me....Hey that flute player supplied this video!

Were still buds!

Thanks

J

[camilo862]

Thanks a lot Jason. This meass a lot for us the begginers. We can see that there are steps bfore being able to play good, and well, of course, a lot of passion and dedication to be able to play like you do.

You are the man Jason!!

5 stars

[fabzzzxxx]

ahhhhh yes the first beginning are the same for alls .....!!!! ;-D but after .....the ways are not the same for alls ----

[Brunoaz2000]

Hahahaha, This is just about as embarassing at it gets :), I do feel better now. Thanks jason.

[jasonricci]

Ha!!!

[Brunoaz2000]

Kidding man, Cool of you to post this. It shows that apart from your talent it took a lot of practice to get to the level you are now.

[neesnio]

it,s all good

[isuckharp]

you can see the early stage moves though jason ,thanks for sharing cheers dave

[harpmonkey]

Yo Jason,

Doncha just hate it when the band backin you up, can't get the groove or play in key?

But I am sure they got better with practice.

;o)

Gutsy to share! Thanks.

[jasonricci]

LOL!

[KudzuRunner]

Meanwhile, in the background, the band is cycling through some hellacious changes. That's what I notice: you don't miss a beat through all that. Your time's good. And you hang with it. Great stuff! I'm going to have to post my version of "Whammer Jammer," made when I'd been playing for 9 months. Audio only, I'm afraid.....

[butterf1yz]

Please do!!

Been workin on the "Tone Clinic" exercises daily for a month now. Another few, and I'll post a before/after video.... :)

[Mazblues]

That would be simply GRRRRRRRREAT, pls do so Adam!

[Mazblues]

Well this video is...breathtaking!

You had a great timing back then, I guess you already had it all in your mind but couldn't convert it technically. Glad you stuck to it.

FOLKS: KEEP ON KEEPIN ON!

[jasonricci]

Thank you!!!

[jasonricci]

Thanks Maz!

[superchucker77]

Please do. That would be great.

[jasonricci]

I wish I could hear that!

[gmmsi]

Hey-every great artist started out somewhere--it's all about the journey---not the start or the finish

I admire you for posting this-not because it's bad--but because it shows what hard and practice can do. BRAVO

[jasonricci]

Thank you Sir!

[asilve3]

even then you were still better than most of the guys on youtube

[hankshreve]

Wow! No way! I played harp in my Junior and High school jazz bands as well! (When I wasn't behind the drum-kit). Cool vid man, thanks for sharing!

[BluezBro604]

haha nice...

[DanRidgeway]

I can tell it's you because of the signature leg tap.

[jasonricci]

Check The weird ass mic holdi9ng technique and the hand shake harp trill!!!

[HendrixIsGod47]

This is inspirational. I love the the other video too. the punk one, it is hands down the greatest thing ive ever seen

[jasonricci]

Your way too nice to me!

[chromatic8d]

Wow, there you were, and now....... you are just something else! I wonder I can transform myself?????:)) Thanks for posting!

[butterf1yz]

hah ! That's about my level right now, I guess. Thanx so much for sharing it.

[superchucker77]

Thanks Mr. Ricci. Know we all know that you are human like us. lol

[ARGONBOB]

I wonder how long you were playing up to that point.

[superchucker77]

About a year.

[eharphyde]

the playing is one thing. the looks and clothes are a completely different matter!

[goodguggerwugger]

omg! that was pathetic! hahahahaha!! (you've come such a long way, kid)

[newpower319]

haha this makes me feel better for beign shit....mind you it was over 15 years ago so you've had lots of time to get amazing. Well done to you boy you're an inspiration.

[ZackPomerleau]

Well you certainly have gotten better!

[roughharp]

You´re a generous guy, man! Every master like you seems to have been always a master, and no one, NO ONE, have the guts to share something like this video. You´ve completed your skills (you human skills) with this video: YOU ARE A TRUE MASTER! Thank you very much!

[Tillamookband]

ahahahah... sorry... no... ahahahah ok... where are my videos? i've burnt them all... phew! :)

huge hugs from italy

manlio