Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed (Gussow.015)

Satan and Adam harpist continuing his lesson on the subtleties and challenges of the blues scale, working by analogy with muscling a fast, tautly-sprung sportscar around a curve: "Blues [harmonica] is manual steering."

If you'd like to purchase a copy of my new solo album, KICK AND STOMP (2010), please hit the following link. Only $10 for 14 tracks of harp-powered one-man band music, all for instant download. Liner notes included!:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/kick_and_stomp.html


For a series of skill-graded video tutorials and tabs focusing on classic blues harmonica repertoire by Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and others, please visit:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• blues
• harmonica
• harp
• lessons
• Satan
• Adam
• Gussow

[telliseed]

I have a question. I just got a D harp (Hohner blues harp) and whenever I do a 4 draw with a bend, I get this very high pitched, shrill, whistling that hurts my ears. Is this a problem with the harp, or am I just bending incorrectly? Thanks, your videos are great, and I've grown as a player a ridiculous amount since I've been watching them.

[KudzuRunner]

I've never had this particular problem. I think it's something wrong with the way you're bending. But I can't diagnose at long distance.

[oscarv30]

Adam why does the 2 hole deep bend sound so good in blues? Shouldn't that be on the blues scale somewhere? lol. All i know is when I'm playing and I hit the 2 hole draw on the deepest bend it feels good.

[KudzuRunner]

That bend is the flat seventh--one octave below the 5 draw (we're talking cross harp now) and very much a key note in the blues scale. You've got good ears.

[NotSoUniversal]

do you use the "ta's" and "da's" all the time or only when you need to do consecutive notes in the same hole? or just whenever you want that type of sound?

[KudzuRunner]

I don't use them all the time. As with most things musical, it's a judgment call. So your last sentence gets it exactly right: I use tongue articulations whenever I want that type of sound.

[sphinxrising58]

I was given a fairly decent Harmonica once & thought, how hard could it be to learn to play it ( famous last words ), lol

Much harder than it looks, which is why I guess they call them professionals because they make it look like anyone can do it, lol

[jrring]

Why not?

[necke22]

adam I have a question. any of those notes of the scale can be played anywhere in a progrecion blues? I mean that in the note to play I, IV, or V.

thanks.

[AndonMie]

You're too cool for school Adam Gussow.

[chrisstoj]

@LeeTchate Turns out I was playing in third position... and yes those are indeed the bends!

[MrJerryjenkins]

Hey Adam, scratch my previous post when I said I could not get blue 3rd. Those harps don't bend period on the 3 hole.

[MrJerryjenkins]

Adam, I am finding myself coming back to the basics after going so far. I have a question. I bought a set of harps, Hohner Blues Harps. B Bb and C, of this set I can't get a blue 3rd. All the other harp A-G I have no problem bending, even starting bent, scoop bend or holding a long bent note. Your best pro opinion, me or the harps? I have gotten that shrill sound and it has been a sensitive reed but not on those 3 harps

[MrJerryjenkins]

Adam, I am finding myself coming back to the basics after going so far. I have a question. I bought a set of harps, Hohner Blues Harps. B Bb and C, of this set I can't get a blue 3rd. All the other harp A-G I have no problem bending, even starting bent, scoop bend or holding a long bent note. Your best pro opinion, me or the harps?

[dcplace2007]

What key is the harmonica in on this lesson?  Not the crossharp key, but the straighharp key...thanks...

[Greattauro]

Haha lesson 14 and 15 are my birtday presents from 3 years ago aren´t they Adam? ´Cause they sure do count as presents for me :D, and you uploaded them on my birthday :D

[MrDidjcripey]

Words of wisdom... as usual.

[XPMBblues]

3 draw partial bend (down 1/2 tone)