Modern Blues Harmonica - records 10 (Gussow.106)

Sonny Boy Williamson's "Pontiac Blues," in several variations: what he's doing, why he's great. By Adam Gussow of Satan and Adam.

For a video tutorial and tab sheet on "Sonny Boy's Blues," a 12-bar blues in the master's style, delivered direct to your desktop as digital downloads, go to:

Sonny Boy's blues (video)
http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/1930550-Documents-eBooks-Music-Tutorials


Sonny Boy's Blues (tab)
http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/1930551-Documents-eBooks-Music-Tutorials

For many more video tutorials focusing on specific songs, visit:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Sonny
• Boy
• Williamson
• Pontiac
• Blues
• Adam
• Gussow
• harmonica
• harp

[muselblues]

Hi Adam,

I saw you drinking a cup of coffee,

is it ok to drink coffee (probably with milk & sugar) just before blowing into the harp?

[KudzuRunner]

Yes, my god, it's no problem at all. Whiskey is good, too. Just not before noon--unless you're on a train, enroute.

[sonyboybluespower]

amazing sound of your harp!

how can i improve my sound with the harp?

i have 3 videos if you watch it and give me some advice it would be amazing!!!

thanks!!

[KudzuRunner]

You've got a fine sound. If I were you, I'd work on two things: slowing down your vibrato, making it deeper and slower; and exerting a little more "pull" when you bend your notes. I don't mean bending them further down; I mean pulling a little harder, whether you're bending them a little or a lot.

[bestoffrank]

Wow! Have not tuned in for a while but this was a great lesson. I might have to go back to regular coffee instead of decaf to try this. Just kidding. Love your energy. An interesting vid for you to do one day is tell your YT fans a little about yourself. How you got started etc.

[KudzuRunner]

Didn't I do that early on? I guess I told so much in my memoir, MISTER SATAN'S APPRENTICE, that I didn't think I needed to spill it all again. But I'll rethink.

[100proofboogie]

@KudzuRunner The Ybirds version of Pontiac Blues is the very 1st song I learned on the harp over 35 yrs. ago. Yeah,the band is WAY off on that intro. The cut I really like from that is "I Dont Care No More" Sonny Boy alone with his harp,no backing ," harp solo full of soul" there too. He was one of the only harpists ever that did this with any regularity.But his crown jewel is "Sonny Boy's Harmonica Boogie" from the Euro "Folk Blues" tours. Have you tackled this on your vids? THANX!

[Owlish11]

Brilliant video-thanks Adam!

[Owlish11]

This is my favourite Sonny Boy song-wish I had the voice to sing it too (apart from the harp)-I think all harp players have had that experience (being f'd by the band) ha ha

[andahazy]

All you guys, there was Whiskey IN the Coffee. Huh Adam?

Cafe au lait avec a la matin (before noon).

[hotlinklarry]

your enthusiasm is inspiring. Reminds me of watching Magic Johnson play basketball. Havin' too much fun should be what it's about!!

[xindeathwedefyx]

like tony "little sun" glover (I) said, "...beg, borrow or steal..." this album!!!

and if you don't listen to sonny terry and sonny boy williamson, man are you missing OUT on some good ol' blues!!!

[wheatbreadjohnson]

I'm a real beginner at harp but not at music in general. Thank you for this video. I can see that early Rice MIller would be a great way to get into the basics of phrasing. Great choice!

[Ledvolta]

I heard the no-no(s) about milky drinks, as well. But Adam's right, I think.

[strawwoodclaw]

wHISKEY & hONEY is the bEST id save the Coffee for the Morning AfTeR.

[grabarz777]

OMG Adam, don't drink coffee with milk & sugar! It makes your harmonica dirty! Polish beer is the best to clean this sin...