Modern Blues Harmonica - First Position 1 (Gussow.071)

First in a series of four lessons on traditional and new approaches to first position blues playing (A harp in the key of A). Gussow explores the lowest octave here.

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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
• lesson
• Satan
• Adam
• Gussow

[newpower319]

my A harp doesnt have these notes! confused

[KudzuRunner]

Yes it does, and yes you are, I'm afraid. What's confusing? I conduct the bulk of the lesson on an A harp. I use a couple of common bends, and I explain what they are very clearly.

[RolfJoakim]

I just heard that kudzu was imported from japan to prevent soil erosion. And now it is apparently taking over Mississippi fast as a genuine threat to the indigenous flora. I wonder why mr. Gussow chose that alias.

[KudzuRunner]

When I moved from Manhattan to Mississippi in August 2002 and began running on the back roads, the kudzu was THE dominant form of vegetation. So I just sort of took the name. And now, like a cancer on the good state of Miss., I'm taking over the blues.......

[bluessandwitch]

great lesson, adam! i have a question, i've found that i can actually bend hole 4 draw draw a 1/4 note, and i can get 3 bends on hole 2 as well, one more between the fourth and the mojor third. can you give us a lesson on how to use this 1/4 note?

[KudzuRunner]

Dennis Gruenling and Jon Gindick have both laid out the architecture of those holes and the notes you can get on them with great clarity. I'll see what I can do, but you might access their websites and see what you can find.

[RochesterRiot]

i dont know much about playing harmonica... but i do know alot about powerful weed :D !!!

[jessupar]

im sorry but every time i hear you go "HUMMINGBIRD!!!" it makes me laugh so hard i have tears in my eyes and i have to drop the harp xD

[guitarman8334]

Thanks Guy , great help !

[senorchristoph]

5:33 Total A.D.D Moment. haha

[runawaybrain13]

sir, you are fantastic.

[laurinw]

KudzoRunner, why is it hard for me to bend ther 1 and 2 draws?

[spunyun]

I have a question on that first lick, if the 2draw and the 3blow are the same note, wouldn't it be easier to go from the 3 bend to the 3 blow?

[Kaziklubei]

Only you would give us a lesson in botany and harp and that's exactely why I watch your videos. It's just never boring

[conor30000]

When i try to draw? and bend the 2 hole the noise deteriorates into nothing, im hesitant to blame my harmonica, its a cheap hofner blues harp, i just cant nail full bendssss ahhhhhh frustration

[Vienwl462]

WHy did you not tell us the blues scale of first position?

[ranchosdancingbull]

Its almost like he smoked salvia

[gussowclone]

mornin adam