Whammer Jammered (Gussow.1year.anniversary)

It's been exactly one year since I uploaded my first harmonica video to YouTube; I've averaged roughly one every three days. To celebrate, I'm offering you three takes of "Whammer Jammer," Magic Dick's great harp instrumental--the song that first got me to pick up a harmonica 33 years ago. I seem doomed to get it only 95% right, no matter how hard I try, and the 5% I can't do keeps shifting around. Rather than despairing about this fact, I'm simply archiving my struggles, hoping to inspire YOU to pick up a harp and give it your best go.

For the record: this is, I believe, the only video I've devoted to the attempted replication of another harp player's complete performance. That should tell you all you need to know about how much I respect Magic Dick--and how unwise I think it is to spend TOO much time trying to do another player's stuff note-for-note. "Whammer Jammer" is my one exception. Make this baby bounce and sing and you've definitely got the right stuff. I don't quite have it but plan to keep trying.

My next video will be a phone conversation with Magic Dick, who has responded very generously to my plea for help. You better stay tuned!

For more about Magic Dick, including a list of his upcoming shows, please visit:

http://www.magicdick.com/

For a series of skill-graded blues harp lessons featuring Adam Gussow, check out:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Whammer
• Jammer
• Magic
• Dick
• blues
• harmonica
• harp
• Adam
• Gussow

[halboudreau]

Wow Adam.... I can't begin to thank you enough, i've been playing for about a month now and have learned so much in that short time, I'm jumping right in on this and can bend with athority up to the 8th hole blowing out, is there anything besides soaking that will make the reeds9 and 10 easier to play ? I watched your video about tuning and have had great success with my harps. Thanks so much, its been a blast adding this instument to my list

[KudzuRunner]

The soaking trick is the only trick I've got. Once your lips get strong enough, you'll be able to do it without soaking.

[samiharp]

I heard one day that only customized harmonicas or Golden Melody and Suzuki harmonicas could do overblows, your Marine Bands are customized?

Thank you and follow like this!

[KudzuRunner]

No, I use off the shelf harps.

[alderk]

Hi adam, I was wondering how do you do that sound at the beggining, I always thought it was a 4-5 warble, but yours sounds more like a tongue-block technique, maybe vibrato, any tips on that? thanks and hope you had a happy birthday!

[KudzuRunner]

Magic Dick moves his tongue in and out to make that sound. I swish mine from side to side.

And no: we're not gay. We're harmonica players. We do what we gotta do

[ozzieboy007]

I grew up with this song in the 70's. Played it to death. Everyone I knew played this at their parties. You're version is fucking brilliant!!! You're the new Magic Dick mate. (I've seen all of your clips) Fantastic! Love the bathroom acoustics too. (really adds to it) Would love to jam with you mate...

[sunbunz01]

loved it! you've got an amazing tongue ;)

[JimKHarp]

@halboudreau I learned bending from the book "Bending the Blues" by David Harp. He includes in-depth explanations of the nuances of each bend on the whole harp, in addition to discussions of general bending technique and exercises. I don't recall what I read about holes 9 and 10, as that was 7 years ago, but tongue exercises might help. Push up on the roof of your mouth with your tongue as hard as you can and hold it. Or with your teeth closed, push against your teeth on the sides or front

[onlybugwit]

What a perfectionist, I just don't have that kind of commitment and I hate myself for it because I so want to play this tune even just an eighth as good,, keep the videos coming,,,, there great!!

[hippieman128]

fantastic man. I still need a lot of work but I can play whammer jammer all the way through now and tought myself to overblow fairly well, in an attempt to sound like magic Dick and James Cotton (which is a futile attempt indeed, but a beneficial one) . all i can do is work my ass off an listen to the classic harpists. Just wanted to say thank you, Adam. and wanted to give you an update on my progress with of our beloved instrument. many thanks to your magnificent tone. Ol' Nat would be Proud.

[OlymbusRunner]

my friend Adam thank you for all the things i ve learned from you.Creetings from Greece,Fotis

[90harmo]

houa magnifique  merci

[ryan401]

dude you blow a mean fuckin harp

[kevincanwait]

Aloha,

Sounds like you're a bit rusty, I think you're too paranoid of yer neighbors.That's what I have to put up with, too.damn!

forget the friggin tsunami...yeah, close call, huh?

Youuuu got it.

You just need a little (shame on you) soakin...lol!

And I don't mean the harp!

I can (almost) do it. I'll show you on Youtube one of these days.Talk is cheap, I know...

Great slap back room..you got that Little Walter sound.Keep it up,brudda!!

I'll be waiting for your M.D. vid. I have some ?'s, too.

[saimonraz]

nice