Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed (Gussow.010)

[gordoncraig410]

I am around the strange section of Youtube once more.

[Geetar2112]

Hi Adam. Been following your lessons for a couple of years but only playing with commitment for a short time. Your videos keep me coming back, now I´m hooked. I love the Bb harp, it just feels right. Low bends aren´t as hard as on the A, and the sound is great. This is one of my favourite "old" lessons. Glad you are still uploading and flying the flag!

[antoni7515]

wow, adam, you are the man on that harp! wish you were in my blues band i'll tell ya! do you have any live clips of your playing with a band live? regards.

[KudzuRunner]

@antoni7515 :  I've got dozens of live performance clips on YouTube, actually. Just put my name in the search engine--starting with gussow crossroads blues......

[golfmandan]

Sounds like "Why Are People Like That?" from the Muddy Waters Woodstock album, featuring Mr. Butterfield on the harp... but you're playing the harp part and the guitar part and the vocals all together. I've heard you live several times, and like the way you play a whole song, chords, melody, solo all at one time. Very cool.

[slangbuster]

Been Playing for around 40 years and thought I was pretty good until I discoverded You Tube, Jason Ricchi and you. Wow! I've leared more in a month from you guys than in 20 years of playing. You have a great syle of teaching. A gift! Thanks, Steve

[Phillyblunt74]

I love this little riff. I play it to warm up & build chops. Lotta fun! My 2 yr old nephew loves to dance to it too! LOL

[Lamerro]

someone place tabs for thissong at komments. that will help t o lern.

[txestitor]

en español por faaaaaaaaa

[Sahnz0r]

Thanks Adam, I've been playing for almost 15 years, and I thought I was pretty good. Falling back on a lot of the same habits and patterns and never really pushing myself. These videos are helping me totally break down the way I look at playing the harp. I feel like I'm starting all over again, and its awesome!

[doctorgaita]

Thanks Man, I´m your big big fan. I watch your videos every day. Thanks for all your video lessons.

[doctorgaita]

Hi Adam, I´ve made you a video. Look in my videos.. Best regards..

[thepoet10]

I downloaded the tab for this but am a bit confused (I'm a beginner!). I understand the 321 is a chord but what does the 5 over 2 and 4 over 1 represent?

[gunkaspoja]

the "5 over 2" is another type of chord that you get by playing only holes 5 and 2 at the same time. You play these by covering holes 2 to 5 with your mouth and blocking off holes 3 and 4 with your tongue. I do it by putting the tip of my tongue on the little separator between 3 and 4, and it's just wide enough to cover both holes.

[Chrizzy77]

Is it possible that there is one beat to many in the 7th bar???

It just doesnt feel right when I'm playing this..

Could be just me.. been playing for 6 months now..

[KudzuRunner]

Congratulations! You are absolutely right, I do this the first two times through--and you seem to be the first person who noticed that, or was bold enough to point it out. Please contact me through my YouTube channel and give me your email; I'll send you a free file or two.

[lehorlanormand]

thank you so much, sir, firstly for the musical style and secondly for revealing all the secrets of harmonica. From France, men like you are rare.

[kippiesheikh]

he's 1337

[Slimduanie]

Thank you Adam. I am very much appreciative for your lessons. I have sent away for the dvd. I am grateful for these very good quality lessons.

[stefschyyy]

not bad

[m579064]

any chance of a slow breakdown man itd help loaaaaads and would be totally fantastic

[20000AD]

Adam, this is an amazing journey! Although I have no rythem, I certainly enjoy trying to follow along! So, any advice on how to get the music in my head to make playing blues on my harp a little easier? Thanks again for your lessons.

[KudzuRunner]

Take a look at the Top-10 and Second-10 lists on my website, Modern Blues Harmonica. ("all-time greats"). Buy at least a few mp3s, or a full album, by each of the 20 people on that list. Play them constantly during the day and in the evening. Then tap your foot, find a simple riff or two, and keep the groove. It's simple. Give it 3 years.

[rosemariekinder]

I love your harmonica style. I'm hoping to learn from your videos. Thanks.

[fabzoundfactory]

THE harp grooooove !!!!!!! big lessons tks adam

[BlueDiamondPro]

You got to buy the tab for this. Its awesome

[LharmonicaH]

i like all of your stuff LHARMONICAH PLEASE CHECK ME OUT

[GaBoxXx47]

I just bought a Suzuki OverDrive model MR-300 in C... but actually what is best for do what you do... u sound really well... And I would like to do it but with the right Harmonica... plz help !!

[KudzuRunner]

I use Hohner Marine Band harps, out of the box. I've never played a Suzuki, but many people seem to like them.

[fields2grand]

i don't know how many times i've watched your videos and said that i hate you. Every time i hear an awesome tune and hear all the little subtleties you do that i can't pick up on or reproduce. I listen to you and get excited, i listen to me and get depressed. /sigh. ps. i don't hate you. i'm thankful for what you do.

[Omaplata41]

how bending is in this song?

[Talos21975]

Hi Adam, I'm loving these lessons, but I bought the tradebit tabsheet for this lesson and can't get the same sound. Can you tell if there is a 2 blow in the opening bar of 'not a shuffle blues' please? The tab sheet says it's all draw, so I don't know if I'm playing it wrong or if there's a misprint on the sheet.

P.S. It's so great that the sheets are available, and hugely helpful.

[KudzuRunner]

It's a 2 draw, bent down a whole step. Wayne Snyder's tab is correct. Practice! That's how you get to Carnegie Hall--or my sound.....

[Talos21975]

Thanks Adam, I guess I'm not picking it up as quickly as I thought, but I'll get there! By the way, just downloaded 'Word on the Street' ahich is just brilliant. This whole thing has given me a new ambition in life, so thanks.

[rubenchohp]

hi adam!

i want to do you a question!

that b flat harp !! i can buy it on any store or is some kind of pimp harp jeje!

thanks and i will appreciate your help!!

pdt:nice blues im learnig so much with your lesson !!thanks too for that!!

[Jazzman5456]

Kool juke dude thanx you rock! (The ladies will like that)

[jamiebirch81]

thank you, thank you, thank you. i have sent you a message as the character count blocked half of my original message..

You kick ass on harp.

Jamie & Libby love Adam Gussow!!

[Smeddog1]

awesome!

[oellinass]

thats sooooooo sweat. i think im gone buy one and take your lessons.

[russelsdad]

One final comment: I've discovered a very cool way enhance your lessons. I have a little app running called bendometer (found on the web) that uses the mic to show you (on a nice graphic of a harp) what note is being played. I set it to a B-flat harp and I can watch as you play what notes you're playing, including the bends. Thanks for the instruction. I'll be watching and re-watching these videos as I learn to handle the subtleties of this very simple, but very complicated instrument.

[russelsdad]

I have a few quick questions that I haven't seen addressed yet (I'm up to lesson 10). I want to upgrade to a 'marine band' harp. What is the most commonly used key that I should get for my first harp? I have the C harp already 2. In one of your lessons you mentoned that the 2-draw was the tonal note. Using this as my starting point, I noticed that I now seemed to be playing a blues scale. On my C harp, this is the G. That tells me that I'm actually playing in the key of G. Is that right?

[KudzuRunner]

You should get a B-flat harp, since many of my lessons are on that harp. Then a D and A harp. See the FAQs page at my website, Modern Blues Harmonica (google it). Yes, you're right about playing in G on a C harp. That's called cross harp (google it).

[russelsdad]

I've been playing harp on and off for years but have never really understood how to play it as a blues instrument. I have a $5 cracker barrel special (Hohner Bluesband). I recently had a kid and one day, he was playing it as well a two year old can and I heard a bend! That got me fired up, so I searched the web to learn how to bend the thing. I can now bend on the low holes, but not more than a half-step on any of them yet. I came across your lessons and am now determined to play some blues.

[NotSoUniversal]

that was an awesome little jam

[cam5]

if i had to pick one musician to be stranded on a desert island with...it'd be you... i could listen to your playin all day long wow so amazing! thank you

[rizdraver]

Try to strategically use the 3 blow when you end a phrase on a long two draw (very common in blues). That way you'll be expelling air instead of getting more full. Otherwise, the breathing is simply one of those techniques you have to put lots of time in to master. There's no tip that's going to get you to do it minutes.

[Vanderheiden13]

i think i not to sure but ur doing alot of bends and draws and i tend to lose my breath very quickly and than i blow do u hav and tips how keep ur breath longer?

[KudzuRunner]

Relax, take your time, and find a way of sneaking an outbreath into the mix when you find yourself too full of air.

[Vanderheiden13]

thank you very much now when i take a breath in i wana breath out. do you know how i could fix this? sorry for all the questions.

(im a begginer)

[meliantee]

Hi Adam! i dont understand English very well, so this harmonica is key of F?

[SLiMxShANuS]

close.....Bb

[MisterPignose]

No mysteries allowed...you said so earlier.

GT

[harpyasasandboy]

Hi Adam. I'm VERY pleased to meet you and up to lesson 10 over the last week or so. I've been trying that draw 3 half step bend with the draw 4 - but I can't stop bending the draw 4 too. How on earth do you do that?

[KudzuRunner]

Well, you should be bending the 4 draw a little bit, too. If you lower 3 draw and 4 draw a half step each, at the same time, by bending them, you're creating a diminished chord, which is certainly a part of the blues vocabulary. The key is simply making the 3 draw your principal focus, even as you allow the 4 draw to come along for the ride.

[harpyasasandboy]

Ok, but I've listened again and you're not bending the 4 draw. Somehow!

[KudzuRunner]

It's a mystery, really.

[yaguarete167]

please send me the tabs!!

[donnylama]

damn...its one of the best licks i've heard in my life...thanks adam for everthing..... the classes n all.....thanks so much......

[KudzuRunner]

Yes, a B-flat. (Hint: see the video description :))

[ranashley]

Adam, was this video done with a Marine Band in B-flat? If so I need to get one, as someone mentioned earlier, it's easier to follow alone if I have the same keyed harp that you are using. Have you ever tried a Bushman "Delta Frost"? If so, how do you rate them. Also, what is the difference between a Marine Band and a Hohner Blues Harp?

[2HoleDraw]

The Bushman harp is a little brighter than most due to a phosphorous bronze comb. The Hohner Blues harp differs form the Marine band in that it is put together with screws (m/band uses nails), has different cover plates which make the harp louder and the wooden comb's exposed surfaces are sealed. The M/band is less airtight but has a unique tone. Use the type of harp that you like personally. It's worth trying a few.

[myHEADisAtv]

I used t o have a Harmonica as a kid and I never learned to play. I was looking around for Harps and to see how difficult learning would be and I came across your stuff.

After hearing the way you play, I wanna start right now O_O I'm going to the music store tomorrow.

Inspirational!

[daveshmir]

I'm using a Hohner pro harp in the key of A major and have found that it works very well. Thanks for the lessons Adam they are helping me expand my playing to a much better level.Keep up the good work!!

[harpinalong]

Was initially using a Honer Pro harp in key of C but took the plunge and bought a Marine band in B flat. What a difference it has made. Now I can really tell when I am copying your lesson and getting the "blue third" which was previously elusive. The lessons are making a world of difference for those like me who find it difficult to get or afford a private tutor. Thanks

[KudzuRunner]

Great! That was exactly my hope when I started.

[enoduolc]

Its harder to learn when its not in the same key ha ha, I got a C harp, and I'm too poor to buy anymore harps ha ha.

[nighttrainjames]

I used to follow Jimmy Cotton around shamelessly. He told me how to set up a harp case. I showed him my special 20. He asked if I would play a plastic guitar and I said NO, I would'nt. So why would I play a plastic harp, he asked. I DO spend an inordinate amount of time INSIDE my harps, and the TWO SCREW fastening system is nice. The Marine bands little nails are easy to lose and impossible to find. Also. they wear out the nailholes.

[KudzuRunner]

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Cotton. For my money, he has the greatest natural sound on the harp. "Creeper Creeps Again," off the 100% COTTON album, makes my Top 3 Great Harp Instrumental list.

[nighttrainjames]

He likes to call that song the midnight creeper, too. and I agree. Traintime by Jack Bruce on the album "Wheels of fire" by Eric Clapton and the Cream is a close runner up. I've been workin the 4-8 holes trying to get T.F. It's a fun project.

[KudzuRunner]

I'll agree w/Train Time. I spent many hours as a teen playing along with that cut, trying to replicate that nasty tone. Jack Bruce is one hellacious player.

[biglou250]

AMAZING LESSON! Thanks for sharing.

[nighttrainjames]

After hearing your consistant B-flat work, I decided to go out and buy a Hohner Pro series B-flat. If you ever have a chance, try one, they are slightly larger. Also, upon inspecting the reeds, you can see where they fine tuned them in the factory with a small grinding wheel. Lazer cut reeds allegedly help stop air loss and maximizes your results. You are a great inspiration;) NTJ

[KudzuRunner]

Back in the 80s I occasionally used a Pro Harp. When I was in Europe and couldn't get Marine Bands, that's what I used. But I've always found plastic-combed harps a little metallic, and without quite the crunch on the low notes.

[iralph4u]

Wa wa du wa wa wa du waaah

very cool, man,,

very cool indeed.

[arnenym]

The truth is that i do it a little too. And its being more of it... :)

Some sounds and riffs i only can do with tongue blocking and others with pucker.

I just try to be a little ironic. Its a big tongue blocker lobbing right now.

And this serie is the best i ever seen. Play the harp is so much personal feeling. And its so much you never could learn from a book.

My throat is a bit sour today. I practice a bit too long yesterday..

[arnenym]

Thank you! This is what every pucker need.

I was close to give tounge block a try after 20 years puckerplaying. Now i dont have to! ;)

[KudzuRunner]

The truth is, I tongue-block about 50% of the time. But there are a lot of things I do on the harp that don't require tongue-blocking--things where tongue blocking would get in the way. When I play legato lines on the high end of the harp, or when I throw overblows into the mix, my sound depends on me NOT overblowing. The point is to try everything and use the techniques that you need.

[jonlewandowski]

Yes...Great...More Please

Jon

[bottom11]

your the man!

[johnnythebossman]

Great stuff... Thanks. Looking forward to some third position work.