Blues Harmonica Woodshed: blue third & variations (AG.8)

From Modern Blues Harmonica, a video voyage to the core of blues tonality: the "blue third," a microtonally-inflected note that every player needs to know. Also here is a key expansion of the note into a double-stop. With Adam Gussow of Satan and Adam.

If you're interested in learning how to play REAL blues harmonica, please visit my website:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

If you're a complete beginner, you'll want to visit the "Quick Start for beginners" page:

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

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• adam
• gussow
• blues
• harp
• harmonica
• blue
• third

[sw2sw2sw2]

Ya don't want to bend a note "as hard as you can", that is, bend beyond the actual pitch of the note u want (refer to video @ 5:25). That is what kills reeds. Thanks for all the great lessons! I appreciate them.

ron

[KudzuRunner]

Sometimes, in fact, you DO want to bend a note "as hard as you can." Sometimes I want a hard 4 draw bend that is lower than the semitone bend, and then I want the 4 blow. Sometimes I want the hard 4 draw bend as a lead-in to an un-bent 4 draw--very much like a blues guitarist bending the fourth all the way up to the fifth, which is Rock Cliche 101. Sometimes I want the 4 draw bend that is exactly on the semitone--as a melodic note, a passing tone, when I'm playing "Blue Monk," for example.

[TOEPICKLE]

Thanks for another great lesson, Adam!

One question: How often, if ever, do you tongue-block the three-hole bend?

[KudzuRunner]

Never in this video. I only do it, occasionally, when I'm following the 14 tongue blocked octave.

[Bob13Blues]

Middle Eastern Marry Had a little Lamb. Love how your eyes pop out. LOL!

[LRSe7eN]

Adam, I was watching this video and it hit me...Ican't seem to get the same Wah sound when I hold the Harmonica like you do. It seems to be the most comfortable way to hold the harp for me, but I just can't get a good seal down around my chin. Any tips?

[LeonStagg]

@isaacullah I could't agree with you more Isaac! Those of us from the forum know exactly what you're talking about.

[SurlyMac]

Thanks so much for all you do, Adam. This video is a great compliment to your MBH lessons ("Same Old Blues", ""Bending the 4 Draw", etc.) - I'm just a beginner but I'm having a blast...

[AraguaJam]

great lesson! its very important to know about the blue third. Wonderful playing! looks like the custom harp really make the diffrent

[cyberfan5]

great info

[RastaandthePs]

Hello, Mr. Gussow.

Thanks for all youre vids.

But now there is something i dont understand. At the moment I try to find out, which note i can play over the chords, while im improvising.

you said the flat ninth has no need in the blues, but the flat ninth is the diminished fifth of the V chord, i think, and this is a blue note for the V chord.

Can i use this note, while im improvising in 2nd position over the V chord or not?

Sorry for my bad englisch

Greetings from Germany

Rasta and the P.s

[FijiGGG]

I watch your video's as soon as you they come out! I have been trying to play along to a few youtube videos of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee on the old Pat Seeger show. The songs "Easy Rider" and "Hootin' the Blues" the are faves. Any chance you could break those down in a future video, even though Sonny Terry isn't really your style? Thanks!

[marcinpako]

Damn, i thought it is Clint Eastwood playing harmonica :)) By the way, thanks for your lessons, they're very helpfull for me,

greetings

[isaacullah]

Is sw2sw2sw2 really BBQbob in disguise?!?! :)

Overall, some very weird comments on this video.. Come on people! What's up with the bonzo vibe? The good Doc is still giving it all away to us, ain't he?

thanks for this vid Adam, it cleared a lot of stuff up for me!

Isaac