Modern Blues Harmonica - records 13 (Gussow.109)

First of two lessons focusing on alto sax player Hank Crawford's "Sugar Ditch," off the ROADHOUSE SYMPHONY album. A wealth of inspiration is available to the blues harp player who looks to jazz-blues horn players and their unexpected phrasings.

For a series of skill-graded video tutorials focused on specific songs, please visit Modern Blues Harmonica:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Hank
• Crawford
• Adam
• Gussow
• Sugar
• Ditch
• blues
• harmonica
• harp
• lesson

[KudzuRunner]

I own a photographer's bag with a jumbled set of all 11 or 12 keys. I rarely use B, F-sharp, or A-flat, not to mention low F. I always have at least a couple of As, Cs, and Ds, because those are the keys I play in most. I should be better organized, I suppose. When I'm gigging regularly, I tune up my harps w/a jeweler's file before every gig--just a tiny bit of touchup, as needed.

[EternallyRound]

@texasdan78606 I picked up a set of Piemont Blues when I was just starting. They are Ok, but you will soon be wanting to exchange your plastic model Bb with a more quality Marine Band. Then as you progress, replace the others one at a time and give the old plastic ones to the kids.

[makilakixki]

Don't you guys agree that Crawford's riff in 'Sugar Ditch' ressembles suspiciously to Charlie Parker's 'Now's The Time'? Coincidence? Pastiche? Let me know what you guys think...

[texasdan78606]

Thanks to HarpLips and Adam for the response. I purchased a set of Hohner Piedmont Blues harps. They are plastic, but not having much money to spend, they were right for me. Now....if I can just learn to play them..!!! Am following Adam's lessons starting at 001. Thanks for all you do Adam.

[HarpLips]

Hi Texasdan....

I don't know about Adam, but I own about 30 or so. I'll answer your 'what harps to start with' question(if Adam doesn't mind : ) Opinions may vary, but going with the most common keys used at jams and on cds you'd listen to: "C", "A", "D", "F", and "G" keys are a good place to start. You'll eventually need more.

[HarpLips]

Hey Adam.

Just finished going through the ModernBlues dvd I bought from you and picked up a whole lot more stuff and applied some of it at a jam on Sunday. Usually I'd listen to the youtube lessons at work and can't practice it till in my truck later, but now...it's practicing in my studio, excellent stuff, highly recommended. Thanks Adam.

[texasdan78606]

Great, as always. Wondering how many harps you own. Also, what key would you recommend to a beginner?

[SeabluesRunner]

Amazingly great stuff! I got a lot from this lesson!

Is that a Eb harp?

[ebayproxy]

This was excellent, especially the recap at the end. Great stuff.

[jafarkareem]

I found a compilation of that Festival from 62-69 on DVD, out here in Jakarta, Indonesia. It's the real deal. Amazing sound quality.