Slow blues & fast country harp

[KuvaPefo]

Loved the last part alot! It was really funky! :D I can't rock that fast on my harmonicas.. Right now I got a C and an A, both Lee Oskar harmonicas. Rock on!!

[ToddGates]

@KuvaPefo

> Loved the last part a lot!

Thank you!

[guitarguy9611]

Thanks!

[stoke340]

great sound. is that a G harmonica?

[ToddGates]

@stoke340

> great sound.

Thanks!

> is that a G harmonica?

It's an "E" (playing cross-harp, so I'm in the key of B).

[guitarguy9611]

Amazin! But How'd you make that sound at round 0:20??

[ToddGates]

@guitarguy9611

> Amazin!

Thank you!

>How'd you make that sound at round 0:20??

I kinda growl in the back of my throat -- something like a reverse gargle.

[m1960l]

You totally rock!!!!!

[ToddGates]

@m1960l

> You totally rock!!!!! 

Thank you!

[MrAussie1957]

good cut bro



[ToddGates]

@MrAussie1957

> good cut bro

Thanks!

[sebavaughan]

F A N T A S T I C

[ToddGates]

@sebavaughan

> F A N T A S T I C 

Thank you!

[zackgto77]

its nice to play in the night.

[MrPatrickbintang]

WOWWWWWWWWWWW............ COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL­LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL­LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[ToddGates]

@MrPatrickbintang

>  COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL­­LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL­L­LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Thanks!!

[PurpleMonkeyOfficial]

How do you get that sound/technique at 0:20? I'm a beginner harmonica player. Also, if there's a name for the technique for it, I just wanna know. Sounds amazing.

[ToddGates]

@PurpleMonkeyOfficial

> How do you get that sound/technique at 0:20?

I don't know how to describe it, other than it's kind of a "reverse snarl" sound in my mouth, but it involves the nasal cavity as well. I actually came upon it by accident when first trying to bend the 3-hole draw note.

> is there's a name for the technique

If so, I don't know what it is!

> Sounds amazing

Thanks ... I actually have had to learn NOT how to make it ... it's a bit much to use all the time.

[ToddGates]

@Saint305XL

> . I can't seem to figure out how to only plug one hole at a time. I plug 3 or 4 by accident. Practice makes perfect right?

Yes ... it took me *months* of practice before I was able to isolate a single note. So don't give up hope just b/c it doesn't come easy!

(Also, in all my videos except the most recent, I get single notes by the method called "lip pursing." In my most recent video--of Big Walter's "Easy"--I use "tongue-blocking," which allows for a more percussive attack.)

[ToddGates]

@Saint305XL

> What the hell was up with that look into the camera at the end, ha ha!

I seem to remember that I was getting frustrated that I couldn't get a good clean take on the fast country part ... my recollection of 'that look' was my feeling that "well, that take was sloppy, but it's the closest I've got so far, and it might have to suffice!"

> Nice blues playing.

Thanks!

[Jironi87]

Plan brava tecnica, mas quò satura un max !

- Vrey nice technic !

[ToddGates]

@Jironi87

> Very nice technic !

Thanks!

[yabou24]

good song thx



[ToddGates]

@yabou24

> thx

Thank *you*!

[PablitoGrao]

come on man, you are the god of the harmonic

[ToddGates]

@PablitoGrao

> you are the god of the harmonica

TOO kind!

[grimandevel323]

Most excellent playing. the Hair makes it so much more awsome it would be a tragedy if you took this sweet piece of music down.

keep rocking

[ToddGates]

@grimandevel323

> Most excellent playing.

Thank you!

> the Hair makes it so much more awsome it would be a tragedy if you took this sweet piece of music down

Thanks for the support--the next time my wife goofs on me for this video, I'll point her toward your comment!

[destihado1]

you rock mate !

[ToddGates]

@destihado1

> you rock mate

Thanks!

[HeyJoe678]

extraordinary hairstyle and extraordinary playing ;)

in which key is the harp ?

[HeyJoe678]

extraordinary hairstyle and extraordinary playing

in which key is the harp ?

[ToddGates]

@HeyJoe678

> extraordinary hairstyle

All credit goes to the mid-life crisis I was going through at the time (or post-mid-life crisis; I was 45 in this 2007 video) ... one that infected my brain to the point that I thought wearing this wig was a good idea. I'm tempted to take it down, but it's my most popular video.

> and extraordinary playing

Thanks!

> in which key is the harp?

It's an "E" harp (Hohner Special 20)—but I'm playing cross-harp, so I'm in the key of B.

[shkeni]

@ToddGates The wig makes it all 100 times cooler ;)

[shkeni]

@ToddGates The wig makes it all 100 times cooler ;) Awesome playing btw!

[ToddGates]

@shkeni

> The wig makes it all 100 times cooler ;)

I think about deleting this video every time I see it ... so, good to hear that some people think it works as is! (BTW, this was more or less "my look" from 1983 to 1989 ... then genetics forced me to reconsider.)

> Awesome playing btw!

Thanks!

[rattlehead00]

How do you get it to snarl like at 0:19?

[ToddGates]

@rattlehead00

I just kind of growl into the harp -- but in reverse, given that I'm breathing in, not out (kind of like a reverse gargling sound).

[rattlehead00]

@ToddGates

Cool!  Thanks.

[balcoa4301]

YES MATE.

[ToddGates]

@balcoa4301

> YES MATE.

Thanks!

[TheDstizzle]

How do you keep your hair so fantastic?

[ToddGates]

@TheDstizzle

> How do you keep your hair so fantastic?

I keep it in a box in a cool dry storage area.

[jnyceism]

dig your sound and the hat!

[ToddGates]

@jnyceism

> dig your sound and the hat!

Thank you!

[assilemgd]

Awesome, I'm speechless

[ToddGates]

@assilemgd

> Awesome, I'm speechless

TOO kind, but thank you!

[chorrizman]

sí señoorr!!buen video men!!

[ToddGates]

@chorrizman

> buen video men!!

Gracias!

[JesusFapsToo]

Sooooo awesome.... oh man...

[ToddGates]

@JesusFapsToo

> Sooooo awesome

Thanks, Jesus!

[Rouxloubac]

My pseudo on you tube: rouxloubac

You CAN see my guitar video please tell me what do you think...! I play guitar sincère i am 10.

I play harp too about five month. I LOVE ROLLING STONES and country music. I LOVE THÉ END OF YOUR VIDEO!!! Do you often fall???? Ahahahh

[ToddGates]

@Rouxloubac

Just listened to your cover of Hendrix's Foxy Lady--sounds great!

As for the end of this video -- after I run out of breath I sometimes stumble, but I usually catch myself before I actually fall ...

[Rouxloubac]

Vert good!!

[ToddGates]

@Rouxloubac

> Very good!!

Thanks!

[Dondanus]

love the hat...

[raymorriss]

sweet job man, I'm subbin

[ToddGates]

@raymorriss

> sweet job man,

Thanks!

[6mattC4L]

very nice the echo adds to it to

[ToddGates]

@6mattC4L

> very nice the echo adds to it too

Thanks -- for most of my later harmonica videos, I record in the subway station for the natural reverb.

[cassius42]

sweet hat mate! im just starting out on harmonica and i hope to get as good as you some day!

[ToddGates]

@cassius42

> im just starting out on harmonica and i hope to get as good as you some day!

Keep practicing and you will! One of the great things about harmonica is you can practice it almost anywhere ... 90% of my practicing on the harp was done while walking back & forth to work every day.

[Munchistda]

nice nice nice :D:D perfect :D=)

[ToddGates]

@Munchistda

> nice nice nice

Thanks thanks thanks!

[DrAkEBeLL251]

men you are awesomee! :D

[ToddGates]

@DrAkEBeLL251

> you are awesome

Thank you!

[iceman86694]

i'll never learn to sing like that... maybe i need to rest some years in jail and after that im sure i'm gonna be pretty good! lol

[davidov1987glam]

Subscribed from the first note! fantastic! and i want your hat! ^^

[ToddGates]

@davidov1987glam

> Subscribed from the first note! fantastic!

Thanks!

> and i want your hat! ^^

I bought it in the mid-1980s ... don't know if they make them anymore!

[PoconoPartyMaker]

real soul...Niceee! WOW!

[ToddGates]

@PoconoPartyMaker

> real soul...Niceee! WOW!

Thanks!

[finomka91]

WoW, Respect !!!!!

[ToddGates]

@finomka91

> WoW, Respect !!!!!

Thank you!

[ToddGates]

@MaryBaka21

> did you trying to look like slash?

I was trying to recapture my 1980s look, which I guess was kind of like Slash ... these days I look more like Moby.

[Ultimaxkeyblade]

if you made harmonica lessons i would watch all of them

[ToddGates]

@Ultimaxkeyblade

> if you made harmonica lessons i would watch all of them

Thank you! (My favorite YouTube harmonica instructor, by the way, is "KudzuRunner" (real name: Adam Gussow.)

[drowe77]

is that a wig?

[ToddGates]

@drowe77

Yes -- I plead temporary insanity for thinking this was a good idea (this was my very first day of making videos, and I was trying to recapture my 1980s look). I may end up taking this video down, but I'm also hesitant given that it has more hits than all my other videos combined.

[bailkins]

Your amazing.... all is said

[ToddGates]

@bailkins

> Your amazing

TOO kind, but thank you!

[bailkins]

Your amazing.... all is said

[Ertrunken]

Its great, but the audio quality could be better. Nevertheless is this really great!

[ToddGates]

@Ertrunken

> the audio quality could be better

I recorded on one of those pocket-sized Flip Videos: not exactly state-of-the-art!

> Nevertheless is this really great!

Thanks!

[llamacide73]

Great stuff man!! We need more great music in this world!! Good work!

[ToddGates]

@llamacide73

> Great stuff man!! We need more great music in this world!!

TOO kind, but thank you!

[germani181]

Wow, amazing! I'm just starting to play harmonica, I hope to one day be as good as you =) Congratulations, and thank you!

[ToddGates]

@germani181

> Wow, amazing!

Thank you!

> I'm just starting to play harmonica, I hope to one day be as good as you

Keep practicing, and you will be able to surpass me (many other harpists have)!

[SadieStyx]

freakin' SWEET!!! :) What's your harp? (brand /model/key)

[ToddAllenGates]

@SadieStyx

It's an "E" harp (Hohner Special 20)—but I'm playing cross-harp, so I'm playing in the key of B.

[Thexapado]

oh boy, on a list right there > i was think about slash playing harmonica, damn and when start video i see the real person xP that happens sometimes :P

[TheDanikalifornia]

You've made my day.

Thank you.

[ToddGates]

@TheDanikalifornia

> You've made my day. Thank you.

My pleasure -- thank *you*!

[aelitasweet]

dizzy



[artistikalfo]

OOOOOOH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

[ToddGates]

@artistikalfo

> OOOOOOH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

Thank yooooouuuuuuu!!

[Buckmaster0987]

could you possibly have a tab for this??

[ToddGates]

@Buckmaster0987

Sorry - I don't have any tabs.

[lysienki]

ZAJEBISTE ... !!! (pol)



[88OSUFAN]

Get a hair cut and you got it made hahaha

[silasouren]

amazing sound.great job.see my chanel

[ToddAllenGates]

@silasouren

> amazing sound.great job.

Thanks!

> see my chanel

Great collection!

- Todd (writing from my main channel)

[KonaMod]

U record it to loudly :/

[KonaMod]

Bei mir verzehren die Boxxen voll weils so laut aufgenommen wurde :(

[ToddGates]

@KonaMod

> Bei mir verzehren die Boxxen voll weils so laut aufgenommen wurde :(

Sorry - I only speak English (et peu un français).

[KonaMod]

wäre das nicht so laut wärs geil

[ToddGates]

@KonaMod

> wäre das nicht so laut wärs geil

Ich verstehe nicht!

[Conf1ictz]

for some reason it looks like prospec park tunnel

[ToddGates]

@Conf1ictz

> for some reason it looks like prospect park tunnel

Because that's exactly where it is -- good observation!

[sheissooocute]

what the heck is with the hair lol , is not bad but i mean its diferent ... ummm

[ToddGates]

@sheissooocute

> what the heck is with the hair lol , is not bad but i mean its diferent ... ummm

I can explain -- a wig store + temporary insanity!

I was thinking of taking this video down (I don't wear the fake hair in any videos other than the few I made this one day in July 2007) ... but it's actually my most popular video by far, and saved as a Favorite over 200 times. So for better or worse, I've leaving my judgment error intact.

[142960012301]

yessss

[skyillegaldiver]

wonderful.  just wonderful

[ToddAllenGates]

@skyillegaldiver

> wonderful. just wonderful

Thanks!

[loop996]

Amazing! wihaaaa

[ToddGates]

@loop996

> Amazing! wihaaaa

Thank you!

[MetallicDonuts]

what key of harmonica are you using?

[weepingmoon1]

Awesome man..im planing to lern and i heard that the best brand is Lee Oscar is that right?...greetings from Egypt

[ToddAllenGates]

@weepingmoon1

> Awesome man

Thanks!

> the best brand is Lee Oscar is that right?

Lee Oscar's are very good - I'm not sure which brand is best. I use Hohner Special 20s because they're durable and not as expensive as the Lee Oscars. The main "sound" of a harp, however, comes from the player, not the instrument.

> greetings from Egypt

Greetings from Brooklyn, New York!

[lartetniais]

it was a long time i Not listen a good harmo ! thancks

[ToddAllenGates]

> it was a long time i Not listen a good harmo ! thancks

Thanks!

[EZD51]

insane!

[ToddGates]

> insane!

I'm assuming you mean "insane" in a good way ... so thank you!

[EZD51]

ya i do hahaha

[bcool1875]

dude sick job. even sicker is that hair ur rockin. keepin it alive niice

[ToddAllenGates]

> dude sick job.

Thanks!

> even sicker is that hair ur rockin.

This is what my hair looked like from 1979-1989 ... in this 2007 video, however, it's only a simulation!

[kondybas]

Awesome, man! Touch into the deep of my soul!

Thanks a lot!

[ToddGates]

> Awesome, man! Touch into the deep of my soul!

Very flattering--thank you!

[CardyVsHardy]

nice man, good job

[ToddAllenGates]

> good job

Thanks!

[mcandura]

i think it's in E

[albinojimmy]

Whats up man? What sort of harp you using? G?

[ToddAllenGates]

> What sort of harp you using? G?

It's an "E" harp (Hohner Special 20)—but I'm playing cross-harp, so I'm playing in the key of B.

[albinojimmy]

@ToddAllenGates Hey thanks. Im a bit of a begginer at harmonica. Have a terrible ear for it. Great playing.

[lozannii]

Yeh we call it a moothy in Scotland

[bfishyray7]

you sound like a screaming hamster

[ransackededen]

Hahahaha!!

[linacouple]

que nota parce!!

[meganmanic7]

thats amazing man , my uncle taught me how to play the moothy when i was in france !x

[ToddAllenGates]

> that's amazing man

Thanks!

> my uncle taught me how to play the moothy

What's a moothy?

[johnnyXsniper]

scottish term for mouth organ, well maybe the rest of the uk, but defs scotland...cos i say it

[johnnyXsniper]

i havnt heard anyone else call it that so far :D high five

[sheeno102]

Great job mate!

[ToddAllenGates]

> Great job mate

Thank you Pierre-Luc!

[titsgalore48]

awesome man

[ToddAllenGates]

> awesome man

Thanks TitsGalore!

[snubbs741]

i like the wah you get sounds like a horn/plunger!

[ToddAllenGates]

> i like the wah you get

Thanks--it comes from a combination of the way I use my hands and how I "speak" into the harp.

[HermanHermes]

when you finished you made 2 foots back...it looks like the harmonic shoot you back like you were shooting from 50 caliber magnum xD...Im joking :) .... you are very good at playing on harmonic...really

[ToddGates]

> when you finished you stepped 2 feet back...it looks like the harmonica shot you

Ha-ha—I was just out of breath!

[Templer1066]

That's some real country over there ! damn your good

[ToddGates]

> That's some real country over there!

Thanks!

(I actually don't listen to country very often, but much of the country harp playing that I've heard is amazing.)

[crank993]

very nice :-)

[bonscott01]

not bad for white folks....lolol. ;-)

[ToddAllenGates]

> not bad for white folks....lolol.

Ha-ha ... yes, we're okay when it comes to imitation!

[saugace1]

hooooooooo yes ses super ce que tu nous joue la fellicitation a toi super chapeaux

[ToddAllenGates]

> ses super ce que tu nous joue la fellicitation a toi super chapeaux

Merci beaucoup--Je l'apprécie!

- Todd

[Jvvanda]

OMG EXELENT!!!!!!!!

[ToddGates]

> OMG EXELENT!!!

Thank you Jvvanda!

[kilo3086]

jaw-dropping! i can play a couple of campfire tunes but you are truly gifted!

[ToddAllenGates]

> jaw-dropping! ... you are truly gifted!

aww shucks thanx

[joupe3]

very good man !!!!!!

[ToddAllenGates]

> very good man !!!!!!

Thank you joupe3!

[Egil31]

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! So good!!

Thank you!!

[ToddAllenGates]

> So good!! Thank you!!

Thank *you*!

[GuitarenaSolo]

hey man...u really good....ur a harp hero....really....

[ToddAllenGates]

> ur a harp hero....really....

TOO kind, but thanks!

[robina33]

luv this!! You're so talented.

[ToddAllenGates]

< luv this!! You're so talented.

Thanks Robina - glad you liked it.

[majorbalna]

have you got tabs for these?

[ToddAllenGates]

> have you got tabs for these?

Sorry, no - the slow blues part is just improv, and the fast country harp is a simplified version of something I picked out by ear (it's from the background music on a Books-on-Tape version of Charles Kuralt's book "America").

[majorbalna]

all right than ill give it a shot by ear i spose

[Siryoyales]

very good, thanks for the moment x)

[ToddGates]

> thanks for the moment x)

Thanks for tuning in!

[carbonese86]

did you get dizzy at the end? lol :)

[ToddAllenGates]

> did you get dizzy at the end? lol :)

No--just out of breath!

- Todd

[jhogg11]

You're like Slash of the harmonica.

[Crusafriedchiken]

nice licks, and kickass hat man ^_^

[ToddAllenGates]

> nice licks, and kickass hat man ^_^

Thanks ... and love your username!

[CaguamaTom]

i liked that blues, but the country is what won me over, keep bluegrassing that house!!! hello from mexico

> keep bluegrassing that house!!! hello from mexico

Gracias, y hola!

- Todd