Modern Blues Harmonica - Whammer Jammer 1 (Gussow.077)

First in a five-part how-to series on the classic blues harp instrumental by Magic Dick and the J. Geils Band. Your guide, Adam Gussow, has been woodshedding the tune for 33 years and is happy to share what he's learned.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of my new solo album, KICK AND STOMP (2010), please hit the following link. Only $10 for 14 tracks of harp-powered one-man band music, all for instant download. Liner notes included!:

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


To order "Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed!, Vol. 1," a DVD that collects more than FIVE HOURS of my early YouTube videos and adds two Satan and Adam videos, check out:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/catalog/item/4464251/4785441.htm

For orders outside North America, you can order the same item at this URL:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/catalog/item/4464251/5118854.htm

For a series of skill-graded lessons for harp players of all levels, focused on classic repertoire drawn from greats like Little Walter, Big Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sonny Terry, and Paul Butterfield, visit:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• blues
• harmonica
• harp
• lesson
• Adam
• Gussow
• Magic
• Dick
• Whammer
• Jammer

[almister]

sorry this question isnt related to whammer jammer but do u have to tounge block to get a good 2 bend i've tried lip pursing but it doesnt sound good id appreciate it if any of u helped me out thanks

[KudzuRunner]

No, you do not have to tongue block to get a good 2 draw bend. I don't tongue block the 2 draw bend. I get a great sound. Of course, there are many players who get a great sound on the 2 draw bend when tongue blocking it. Either technique works just fine. Meaning: either you need to practice more until you get a good sound, or you have no talent for the harmonica. I suspect that #1 is the case.

[SmokingHound]

Hi adam, a 16-years old fan here, i don't want to be a hair-splitter here but 'whammer jammer' isn't from their first album, it's from their second, which is called 'morning after'. thanx for all your great lessons, i'll practise this one right away.

[KudzuRunner]

Right you are. MORNING AFTER was the first album of their that I bought. Later I got their first album in cassette form and it has "Cruisin' For Love," which also shows up on the live album.  I did a little switcheroo in my head. But accurate scholarship is important, and you and several others caught my mistake.

[Hambycomb]

With the tongue blocking bit at the very start, if you are starting on the 4 draw bend, then going to the normal 4 draw, then tongue blocking it side to side, does that mean you have to change your embouchure so that you can play the 3 4 5 holes with the side to side movement?

[KudzuRunner]

Good question! The answer is: That's what I do--change my embouchure--but I suspect it's not what Magic Dick does. I switch from lip pursing to tongue blocking, but I'd be that he keeps in a lip pursing mode the whole time.

Technique is always secondary: the point is simply making a sound. There are often several ways of making the same (or a similar) sound.

[rockndaddy]

I must be spastic or something cause I certainly can't get that first tongue technique at all. I guess I can't be a pornstar either. LOL

[chagquist]

Adam.... can you do a video of how to play Long Train Running by The Doobie Brothers???

[merlecasey13]

This is a very "general" video. =p

[diegomendez1231]

This video is a favorite on Mexico City

[TopGearDog431]

Quick question bud i've never played and am wondering how long you think it would take to learn the first minute or so of the song??

[XhockeyfightX]

Harmonica players are seriously the biggest characters ever... but that's a good thing!

[FredMax12]

hello how are you? .. really are a genius on the harmonica! Congratulations!

"Could you tell me that tone is the Harmonica? because I do not speak English and understand it.

I tell you I see your videos of this issue and I will try to remove ear! I await your response as this song fascinates me!

From already thank you very much and sorry for my bad English!

Greetings!

[Lefty090360]

Adam, without a doubt the two playing tips about how to play the 1st "chording" section ARE worth the price of admission. I watch MBH to learn the "bits" that I can work into my own playing and if I were to never watch another vid, I could still die a happy man having learnt just those 2 bits. Thanks man.

[werneck2000]

Dude, Thank you very much. I knew I was missing something on this song.

[maynardblues]

I've been playing for a while and the only way I can play single notes is by tongue blocking, any tips on how to without? Also, I can't blow bend for the life of me, any tips on that would be greatly appreciated! Great job with Whammer Jammer by the way YOU ROCK!

[maynardblues]

Been playing a while and the only way I can blow single notes is by tongue blocking, any tips how to without? Also, I can't blow bend for the life of me any good tips there? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Great job with Whammer Jammer by the way YOU ROCK!