How To Play Raw, Gritty Harmonica (A Lesson From Dan Gage and Dan Ridgeway)

C Harmonica

In this "lesson" Dan Ridgeway and I attempt to explain some basic ways to bring some nasty soul and grit into your harmonica playing. Is it a comprehensive lesson? Hardly, but it was fun to make.

Make sure to check out Dan Ridgeway's videos. He's scary-good. His youtube handle is, oddly enough: "danridgeway"

Note on timing: The end of 2009, beginning of 2010 has been a crazy time in my life. I have not had the time to make many lessons. Once things settle down, there will be more videos.

Thanks for watching,

Dan G. (25-Feb-10)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Harmonica Lesson
• Dan Gage
• Dan Ridgeway
• Harp
• Blues Harp
• Mundharmonica
• mouth organ
• blues
• gritty
• soul
• raw
• tone
• 12gagedan
• 12gage blues

[ingkiller]

3:14 how do u play that??

[12gagedan]

@ingkiller the stop time lick? I think it's 1D, 2Dbb, 2D, 2Dbb, 2D, but I'm not certain as I don't have a harmonica in my pocket to check. It's a very simple lick.

[Mastas999]

Another great video Dan. You nailed, it the more you play the more you will say ... Oh hey this lick sounds pretty sweet lets build off of it. Playing rough can sound cool but if you overuse it its just plain awful in my opinion.

[12gagedan]

@Mastas999 it's all about finding a balance. I always think of chain-saw sculpting. This loud raucous machine carving out a clean image. Rod Piazza always talks about a rusty tin can wrapped in a silk glove. It's the balance/dichotomy between the rough and the smooth.

[iownyouchoob]

how did you learn how to play it bluesy style?

[12gagedan]

@iownyouchoob Listen to a lot of blues. Copy what the pro's do. Practice/play a lot. That's it. You learn by doing.

[NickeyWhitfield]

@ingkiller That would be the overall question here...^^

[Koksfick]

great lesson, great playing !

I think the "two teachers" idea is great! Do you have more of this kind here?

[TheRainbowBros]

This video cracked me up. what a great way to learn harmonica. Thanks guys!

[batitony]

You guys are the best :D

[WillKills7]

orgasms at 3:13 and 3:20

[KingZig86]

Thats it, i'm buying a harmonica.

[finnlapp]

nice tootin,dudes!!!(dans)....mr.wh­itchway knows me,his dad ain't a bad harpman either.....best place i ever played for awesome sound was a parking garage in orlando fla. just south of rosie o'gradys...blew my harp thru my c.b. radio ext. mounted bull-horn...had people dancin'& jukin' for 2 blocks around . like a concert hall auditorium!!! dan,thanks for jamming with my banjo pickin'....nuf sed YOU GUYS SOUND GREAT i have to meet you mr.gage.....