Modern Blues Harmonica 142 - Playing Fast 3

Third in a series. Note: It's possible to search YouTube and find a number of videos proclaiming "Fastest Harmonica Player in the World." Virtually all of them feature versions of chugging--repetitive, in-and-out breakdowns. That's fun stuff: rough, primitive, and not terribly musical after the novelty wears off. I'm talking about something a little different.

In this series of videos I've mentioned a number of players who deploy the kind of speed I'm talking about, speed in concert with real musical complexity: Howard Levy, Carlos del Junco, Jason Ricci, Sugar Blue, Chris Michalek, L.D. Miller, John Popper.

Of course there are many other players I should have mentioned, including (but in no way limited to) Peter "Madcat" Ruth, Buddy Greene, Charlie McCoy, Norton Buffalo. Please suggest more in the comments below! (I'll list good suggestions here after I've checked them out: Mariano Massolo, Billy Gibson, .....)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Adam
• Gussow
• Jason
• Ricci
• blues
• harp
• harmonica
• fast
• fastest

[synapsebomb1]

Hey Adam, great stuff as usual.. what about Billy Gibson?? you've mentioned him beore and he has some crazy fast stuff goin' on...

[KudzuRunner]

You're absolutely right. I was thinking about the fact that I'd neglected to put him in this particular list. Yes: he's very fast, and the way in which he deploys his speed isn't really like anybody else around: "Poke Salad Annie," live, is quite remarkable.

[mottag8830]

adam, you're missing someone in your list with great speed and incredible tasteful. His name's mariano massolo, you should check him out

[KudzuRunner]

You are right! I wasn't aware of him, but he's exactly what I'm talking about--and a hell of a lot faster and more interesting than me. Great talent!

[cravenmoorrrrrrrrr]

Ya'll usin a Bb harp? seems the one to sound right.

[jrumbaug]

OK, I was to hasty with that previous post. It works OK, but I think this is closer to what is being played on the last 2 lines.

-2* -2 -3* -2 4 3 -4* 3

-4 -3 -4* -3 4 3 -3* -2

Maybe there is a place for both riffs???

My apologies and THANKS

[jrumbaug]

My take on the first riff ( in B flat )

-2* -2 -3* -2 4 3 -4* 3

-4 -3 4 3

-3* -2 -2* -2

The hardest part for me is the -4* to 3 on the second line. An easier substitute for me is -4* to 4, but it ruins the sequence of every other note being the root. This is a GREAT RIFF that even sounds good slow (with a little swing)

Another EXCELENT lesson.

Thanks again Adam

[jrumbaug]

For us slow learners 6 - 6 -7 6

-6 -7 7 -6

-7 7  -7 -6

So far, finding a good way to let the air out and still sound right, is my problem, but I'll get it sooner or later.

Thanks Adam

[zobot2]

Did you really have a heart attack?

[Tryharp]

jason giving you a heart attack, id like to hear more of that story!

[amin090]

Hey adam ! it's Amin the Tunisian guy...i know that soaked thing you've been eating in Paris..Mum makes the Best Baklawa ever...anyway..this lesson seems to be a lil bit hard..thank you ..you've always helped me to love this instrument 'cause it's a very hard task to paly Harp in Tunisia..They are not used to it..and Blues music isn't that famous..im struggling to show up..wish luck for me..

[dar7945]

Sounds a lot like Hanon exercises my teacher made me do when I was learning piano...as always, great job!