Modern Blues Harmonica - Improvisation 2 (Gussow.040)

The concluding installment of a two-part lesson on the archetypal foundations of deep blues harmonica by Satan & Adam harpist Adam Gussow. Not just a warrior, you're also a lover and a painter.

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


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

[herbie232]

Adam you are the craziest guy i have ever seen and its incredibly refreshing, your lessons are amazingly helpful. These metaphors have helped me a great deal in furthering my own ability on the harp. Are there any books that you would recommend that could teach me more about improvisation or just blues harp in general.

cheers mate your a legend

Jim Herb, Australia

[KudzuRunner]

@herbie232 :  The only book I'd recommend is IMPROVISING BLUES HARMONICA by David Barrett. He really knows what he's doing.

[ArtofDreaming1]

I work at colony and I turn people on to you every single week, I also make them promise that if they appreciate you they will send you money.

[KudzuRunner]

Do you mean Colony Music on Broadway in NYC? If so: I used to shop there during the 1908s and 1990s. It was one of the two or three places where I could find older blues stuff on vinyl. Without question it had the best-informed sales staff in the city.

[motokouk]

willem dafoe!!!

[KudzuRunner]

If that's really all you have to say--that I look like somebody more famous--then buddy, you have no business on this channel. Bye bye.

[robuzy]

hahahaha

[cplhebert]

this is the best insite anyone can acquire from any one other person. i can relate to the warrior metaphor, i have been in the army for twelve years. i can relate to the love metaphor, i get teared up when i watch sonny terry "hootin the blues". i love the sounds and the feelings that are made when he plays. i struggle with the "painting", i was never very artistic in any sense. i understand the metaphor, i just think i will have a hard time applying it. at any rate, another awesome lesson.

[apex1989]

What a beautiful use of metaphor. And so well thought out and presented. Adam, this was truly one of your best lessons so far. Technique is fundamental, but only half the challenge. Without the proper mindset, technique is just...technique.

I played obsessively as a teenager and was an excellent lip purser. Now I'm obsessed again, and through your videos am getting the answers to some of those nagging questions. In a month I'll be up on stage again for the first time in 30+ years. Thanks!

[jeikuman]

49? im 23 =) So here I am in Japan, I was feeling kinda lonesome and blue, the taste of rice gets old and there's nothing to do. When I remembered that I brought my graduation gift from my old man - a Marine Band in C, remembering I didnt know how to even pick up a harmonica I looked to the internet and found your videos, Maybe that was 3 months ago, but if it wasn't for my harmonica and your inspiring lessons to give me guidance, I dont think I would be sane. LOVE this lesson! arigatou!

[GraffitiRocks123]

happy birthday:P

[TenPukaMan]

adam, i don't know when your birthday is/was...so anyway... HARP-py Birthday from me in Hawaii. If you ever plan to come to Hawaii, let me know so maybe we can get some local harp players together to do some JAMS (an acronym i made up...Jamming to Advance Musical Skills). aloha

(FYI: "puka" (POOH-ka) means hole in the Hawaiian language)

[bbeddick]

You kick so much ass Mr. Gussow. Intuitive and intellectual, yet very spiritual.

"A drunken-hearted boy"

[eseaton99]

i really like these metaphors Adam, being a blues harmonica player & a painter as my job/passion, and having made love.. I see a cool thread between all of them adding abit onto what your saying that, you have to know when to attack as the warrior, be dominant in the sheets, having the very highly rendered detail area in a painting, but then also be receiving, be on the backstep, be in awe of the music. its a lot about letting all these activities to be the witness and the doer let it soak deep