Cross harp jam with no blow notes

[Ddigzdirt]

That didn't blow at all!!!

You rock dude!!

[hohner2010]

wooow i played along and boy is hard i blew 3 times altogether by mistake although one was to regain my breath but i was able to hit different ways of playing the draw and bends in new combo's in my book.... thanks you kindly il have to forwards you and adam gussow something soon for all your hard work to help me.

[edloff]

Okey...im not first....but you blown me away...totally!

[cilxun]

been walking around thinking of learning to play the harmonica... DUDE!! u just convinced me!!! that my friend... awesome!

[lyingstudent]

Amazing stuff, great blues player

[MEESHA666]

Your a master of the Blues Harp....Great stuff.

[Recently92]

IT LOOKS SO EASY!!! =(

[rytekelectronics]

i like your playing and that buffalo amp very much . thanks for coaching the harp world.

[vonbrian]

cool..



[simplethunder]

Bought a regular blues harp myself just today. I'm really clueless on how I am going to learn this though, any tips?

[RonnieShellist]

@simplethunder why not head to my website, listed in the vid description, and start with Package 1 for beginners. It'll take you from square one.

[irena7777777]

@RonnieShellist You or Jason Ricci, who's best?

[RonnieShellist]

@irena7777777 Jason is a great player, one of the best, so i am honored to be compared. That said, we are such different players...he is a rocker and I'm a traditional blues guy.

[irena7777777]

@RonnieShellist You're both brilliant in your respective styles. I've been playing for about 6 months, and I'm maybe improving slightly but when I watch your videos, I noticed that you seem to switch from notes really seamlessly and I just can't do that! The way I play sounds too laboured and unnatural. Any tips?!

[RonnieShellist]

@irena7777777 Focus everything on airflow and emotion...let the rest take over. Airflow should be consistent, even, and slow.

[irena7777777]

@RonnieShellist Thanks, Ronnie...I'll try my best to follow your advise. Keep up the good work!

[eichdog]

Love the harmonica coat hanger hat rack in the back ground!

[cascab67]

An excellent exercise--simple enough, but it yields very quick results. You're a natural teacher.

[gorblimey61]

Luv it!

[condor622]

hi Ronnie, any tips for someone who hasnt a clue., how to do a riff, what i mean is i`m musically deaf. i havent hit a riff that i can understand when i`m playing

[aerospacepat]

Nice! Reminds me of the Kim Wilson sound

[spinolow]

...i have that chair. its a good one

[dmanofalcatraz]

this sounds great, but doesnt make sense.

On an A harp, cross harp would be E, and you did that. you clearly are playing in a minor context, but the draw notes of an A harp are the notes of E Major. I would really appreciate it if you responded. Thanks

[RonnieShellist]

@dmanofalcatraz hmmm...not sure I understand..like i say in the video I am playing in E(major not minor) on an A harmonica...this is not a minor position,scale but rather cross harp or 2nd position.

[cascab67]

@dmanofalcatraz What you need to bear in mind is that he's also bending the draws to get minor notes.

[ShaggyDawg]

Hot! Heavy jealousy factor here! :-)

[RonnieShellist]

123 draw chord is the 1 hole, 2 hole and 3 hole played together on the inhale to produce a chord.

blow notes can be included but there are more draw notes that fit with cross harmonica as a general rule.

[RonnieShellist]

cross harp, also called 2nd position, is when you play a harmonica 4 keys up from the key of the music: music in G, play a C harp. Lots of draw notes in this case work well for that bluesy sound.

Also good for rock, country, folk and many other styles of music. The reason it works is because the 123 draw chord on the harmonica is the same key as the music being played (C harp, 2 draw is G,)

[RonnieShellist]

I should clarify that i say 4 up, really 3 up but I start by counting the key of the music being played and i call it the 4 finger rule to help people remember: hold up 4 fingers, first is G, 2nd is A, 3rd is B, 4th finger is C: the key harmonica chosen for cross harp.

[snodvod]

This is great!! But I have a lil prob I think.. Or is it normal that a harmonica in G starts of with G-B-D? The whole harmonica is just that G chord stacked up... I just can't play shit on it :D

HELP!

Ps. It's a Jambone..

[andimartinbluesharp]

Excellent demostration of what can be done with only drawing notes. Still can't believe that can be done only drawing the notes. Really amazing!!

[Mumusthereal]

That's so fucked up: try to release your breath instead of catching it.

[ilovemutemath]

hahahaha

your coat hanger is a cross harp.

[B33stje]

Is there any possability that you can write tabs for that piece ?? I wonder how many bends you play ...

[ImKilRoyKilRoy]

Wow glad to learn this!  Thanks.

[akalbj]

how do u get more air with out blowing

[RonnieShellist]

you do have to blow/release your air to catch your breath but not into the harmonica

[mwclark7]

Fantastic!!!

[bibs5]

i'm being jealous

[hammcfee]

Man, that is just great stuff. Thanks for showing that method and helping me with my own ideas for playing .

[jernov]

You're right, You don't blow :)

..Amazing.

[NilsBruijel]

Ronnie,

That's amazing; really soulful! Never thought that would be possible.

[RonnieShellist]

i am really good at hitting remove instead of replay..sorry to the poster who wrote:

"do you know of any good sites for blues songs on harp?" not really, but if you google it i'm sure there must be something..anyone have suggestions?

[pedledge]

Maybe because there isnt a replay button? Im kidding, I know you meant reply.

Thanks for the video, very insightful.

[IpodAndrewts]

ooh, its pretty catchy!

[IpodAndrewts]

wow

[djscurge]

Nice Ronnie. I've been having just that problem, draw/blow with too much repition. Most of my improv sounds similar to each other as a result. Now i got a new idea. Thanx

[LAJackson123]

Do my ears detect a blow in there? A little one, or two?

[RonnieShellist]

no and if you are unsure of what any of the notes might be, post the time on the video and i'll be happy to comment back telling you what they are. this is exactly why i did this video. most people don't realize how many draw notes can be used in cross harp.

[speedlag]

That was incredible, whenever I need inspiration to keep moving forward with learning the harmonica, I have to look no further that one of your videos.

[RonnieShellist]

Thanks for the kind words. Really appreciate it.

[belleray2]

Thanks for the clip.Your breathing must be perfect to carry all those draw notes.Amazing.

[basilmar]

Absolutely wonderful. I never thought this was possible. And I´m a player...

[jsilvatx]

i thought i was going to implode! its a good workout lol! thank you!

[detharp]

puckered or tongueblocked,Ronnie?

[RonnieShellist]

i use both but pucker the bends for sure.

[RonnieShellist]

if you want to buy my new blues cd..email me.

check the video description for details.

[chantal1960]

Are you playing in a band? I want to buy your music!You are amazing.

[mongomania]

this is seriously inspirational stuff. i literally just started pickin up my harp again. and hearin this stuff makes me wanna play non-stop. supreme job. how long you been playing btw?

[guitartate92]

still waitin for my marine band to come in but this is really helpful.

[TYSOHN]

I love those vibratos the spooky ones (at least I think they are vibratos) Signature Ronnie sounds in any case!

[ilikescreaming]

what kind of harp should i get if i want to play this style? whay key works best?

[RonnieShellist]

all keys are good..this harmonica is in the key of A.  I like the Special 20

[rockndaddy]

Ronnie, thanks for a great video, Can a tongue flutter be done on the draw notes as an octave.  I wanna ask you a big thing for me, if you could possibly look at one of my videos, like Full Moon over Dallas, to see if you think I have the talent to at least be a local harmonica player and singer. I have played clubs but I really would like to play locally professionally. I have trouble with alot of the harmonica techniques. I know octaves now. If you can I appreciate it. UTUBE Rockndaddy

[RonnieShellist]

Yes the flutter can be done over an octave and it sounds really nice...i don't use this one as much...Kim Wilson plays this technique really well so check out his stuff. I'll have a look at your videos.

[murph372]

Ronnie,

I don't play, but I really enjoy your videos. I also like your teaching style.

[RonnieShellist]

Thanks!!

[sunbunz01]

LOVE IT!! you rock!

[jmrhsdrummer]

you definitely dont blow.

[HarpDr]

He blows...he blows like no other!!...damn...some of the best on The Tube brutha!

[CHARLIEHARP]

by the way I think I had make you this question befor but what harps you use? bushmans?

[RonnieShellist]

Hohner SPecial 20's and some brass comb Marine Bands

[CHARLIEHARP]

Hello ronnie, Your friend charlyharp here. As always another one of your amazing videos. Incredible harp playing. will I ever be able to play like that?

big Hug from London

Charlyharp.

[lizzysg1]

wow, amazing as usual.... :D

[4erosmith]

you're a fuckin' HARPLAYER!!!

[Clarky3009]

nice ronnie

[DistantSoul13]

hey man your music really brings up my spirits