My girlfriend bought me a long 56 hole harmonica for christmas, which I liked. But after seeing some of your videos I had to get a diatonic one too (cos I love the blues). I been playing guitar for over 10 years so its great to play something new. I am really enjoying learning. Thank you very much for your videos.
I just got that index... and it was the single best dollar that I have ever spent!... This is exactly what I felt was missing from you most excellent resource.. some way to quickly scroll through all of the information to target precisely what you want to!! Adam, thanks again for all you are doing on the harmonica, your brilliance passion is why I refer all my more advanced players to you!! HAPPY HARPING!!! mike
@jorritsmit: The difference between sax and harp, of course, is that sax players make all their notes on the exhale. Harp players make half their notes on the inhale, and when they're playing cross harp (the most common blues position) they play more than half of their notes on the draw, since the root, 3rd, 5th, and flat 7th are all draw on the strong lower and middle octave notes. The sort of vibrato I describe here--deep throat vibrato--is superior on the draw notes, I think.
Hi Adam, I´m Brazilian and i "play" harmonica since 1999 but, i confess, after a saw ur video, i saw: i play nothing! Thank u for ur lessons and when i start playing "good" i´ll post a video with a note: "adam was my teacher". hugs and happy chistmas! thank u again!
You're absolutely right, the 2 draw is the most difficult obstacle as a new player that I have so far. I find I am pinching in an attempt to close off the 2 from the 1 and 3. I know this is old, but the little tips have been helping me greatly.
No commercial sure adam has a site and he does but he gives free lesson on here and take time to personally reply to most people thats a lot of free time and input ,so no commercial
I have been playing about 6 months, i actually jumped on stage with a friends blues band the day i bought my harps. I had been practicing the BS lessons that come with the harp all day and have enough theory knowledge to know to stay in my limitations. I impressed everyone, but now more is expected, your lessons are so appreciated as the books and cds i've bought don't come near the explanation of techniques and getting that "pro sound" thanks a lot
"In other words, I was going to do what meditators do when you come up against who you are, and what you are, and you just sit with it. You just confront exactly where you are, you don't try to hide from it, you just say, I'm going to do what I do, then I'm going to work on it." You are awesome. And intense. I'm not kidding when I say these videos are sheer genius. I may not know much about harmonica, but I know you sure do. Thanks for this.
Adam, your videos are great. Thanks so much! One thing I found - the right harp matters a lot, especially for the 2-hole draw. With the inexpensive Hohner BluesBand (C) harp, all I could manage was a very duckish 2-hole draw. When I bought a Hohner Marine Band Special 20 (C), the 2-hole draw was SO much easier, and stronger sounding. It was like night and day. I thought others might be in the same boat. If so, make sure you have a good harp.
I can't diagnose without seeing you in action, I"m afraid. Ultimately, the sound is what counts, not how you produce it. If you get a great sound using your technique and you can kick your vibrato into gear whenever you want--hey, I'm a fan.
It's a special way of playing. But you can play that style--blues harmonica--on any 10-hole diatonic harmonica, and on many varieties of chromatic harmonica.
Thanks DJ. Yeah, most of the good players taught themselves, but some of us had a great teacher come along at the right moment and give us a helping hand. I'm just trying to repay the favor.
adam, you have an incredible talent and your penchant for teaching is beyond inspirational. The satan and adam documentary can't be released soon enough.
ok so ive been learning how to play for the last few years, only in the past summer till now have i been searchin the videos on youtube to get some good stuff down. i guess what im trying to say is thanks for all the help, got lots to learn and im just scratching the surface of your lessons. oh and bravado, excelent ive been baffled as how to do it just as you were thanks for that as well.
Great lesson!!! Adam is my mentor. I would like to add a small tip to his great vibrato that helps me get it out better however I am not very good at this yet. Try laying down on your back while performing Adams "Seven Beats to Better Vibrato Method/Better Vibrato Just 5 Minutes A Day". This will automatically bring the vibrato more from the gut. Thanks Adam
thanks man, u realy realy realy helped me out! people told me before that my draw on the 2 sounded bad, thanks to u it al good now and we made a few new songs with a good feeling.
@ArtofDreaming1: You know, I don't have that, but I really should. I'm glad you like that solo. It would be a b---h to tab, actually, because the timing is tricky. I'll make a note and do that sometime in the not-too-distant future.
I hope the exercise work, couse Ive always have wanted to get a vibrato like profesionals do... Its one of the things that blows my mind when I listen to harp player making vibratoes, going form one octove to other one getting that fast vibrato creating tension in chords progresions... even in chromatic harps the do it
Mr. Gussow, you must be the Harp player on the Internet and I would like to thank you for sharing the knowledge you have. I also have a question about what age you started playing. Thanks
Thank you sooooooooo muuuuch! I know I'm not doing a great vibrato now, but it improved somehow. Thanks again, for teaching the importance of keep breathing and keep time...
Yes, the series is free, all 175+ of my videos. But please feel free to drop a buck or two in the electronic tip bucket, which can be found at the bottom of my website's homepage...Modern Blues Harmonica (dot) com
Don't worry. I had the same problem at the beginning and it was frustrating to me as well! I'd say, just keep trying without too much pressure, and listen to throat vibratos from different players. Give your ears, your throat and your breath time and be gentle to them ;-) One fine day I just realized it was in my tone. It could work the same for other people ;-)
google "tremolo vibrato" and take a look at what wikipedia says. I'm actually doing both--varying pitch slightly, varying intensity--and if I pull my tongue back in my mouth as I play, to get that Howlin Wolf sound, the pitch varies quite distinctly--"vibrato," according to the definition offered in Wikipedia, which is the generally accepted definition.
Great video! I've always had some issues with my vibrato. And yes, it IS vibrato. Tremolo is a completely different effect, used mostly by folk blues players and, occassionaly, by Sonny Boy Williamson II. It sounds very soft and is consisted of fluttering your free(right) palm in front of the hand that's holding the harp, never completely enclosing the harp. That creates an air turbulence and modifies the sound. There are two types of tremolo, soft & rapid (depends on the fluttering speed).
You’re describing a wah effect, not tremolo. Tremolo is a fluctuation in intensity, vibrato is a fluctuation in pitch, and wah is the modulation of the low end frequencies of the harmonica.
Hey Adam... Great great tutorials... you are clear, passionate, and a great teacher (and the attitude helps... cool!). I'm a beginner, but I feel I'm learning a lot... Thank you very much for doing this. Tell us if you accept donations... One question... Anyone... Any tips for the draw? in the video, Adam's way of drawing is, for me, weird... He extends his lips... Maybe he'll explain it later... But let me know if anyone has a useful tip, or the video were he does.
Thanks for the tips on vibrato, it seemed to have worked for me. I used to do that coughing thing and it eventually changed to a smoother sounding vibrato, did take a while though haha
It's easy, but only if you do as I say: blow as much or more air AROUND the harp (i.e., above and below the top and bottom coverplates) as through the holes, by allowing the harp to fall away from your mouth on that 8th beat.
@Strongbanana hello strongbanana, I know exactly what you mean but by now, I already can do a nice vibrato. The trick is to practice it hard. This is a great lesson.
i am a novice harp player, and still struggling getting a good vibrato. Anyway, there seem to be a handful of widespread approaches to producing it: using diaphragm, throat, mouth or tongue. IMO, mastering them all would be a good idea. Thanks for inspirational video, Adam, and now it's time for me to go back woodshedding :P
Thanks! You should check out the three lessons called "crossroads," where I talk too much, probably, but lay out the life journey of a serious harp player.
Adam, thanks for the great tuition! I suppose I am a bit impatient, I can get clean, clear 2 hole draws, but when it comes to vibrato, i'm sounding identical to what you started off at 28. My vibrato is sounding quite stuttered at the moment... Like you said in the video, I should just continue with what i have, and does the relaxation happen naturally? Thanks again.
I'm sure I cover this in this video or the one before or after. I suggest that you begin by coughing inwardly, learn how to strengthen that, then slowly allow it to smooth out.
Donations may be sent to: Modern Blues Harmonica, P.O. Box 2216, Oxford MS 38655 The extended lips thing is pretty much industry standard. It makes a huge difference. I learned it from Jon Gindick (google him), who has taught more people how to play the harmonica than anybody else in the world. Tell him I sentcha. And make your lips big and fat.
Adam - you're amazing! I just discovered you last week and already your harp mastery and life story has been an inspiration. Thanks! The quality and strength of that vibrato is what struck me when I heard you play. And how you achieve it (seemingly all in the throat). The only way I can get that strong a vibrato on the 2 hole is by drawing normally and shaking the harp. Seems to work for me, but I question whether or not this is a good technique. What do you think? Thanks for the lessons! Joe
Heeyyy Adammm.. Jee mannnnn your tipssss aree reallyyy goood... is helping me a lotttttt... thankss for the lessons.... i got it... you're a damnn good teacher... =)
Well I thought I was wrong with my technique on the 2nd draw until I bought a Hohner Marine Band (special 20) Seems like cheap or old harmonicas tend to be weaker on this one. Am I wrong Adam? I try both my old Delta and my new Hohner back to back and I don't have any problems with my Hohner. By the way, thanks a lot Adam for your complete and really helpful videos. As a pure beginner, you're my private teacher ;) Keep doing this amasing work!
Thanks, Adam! 1,2,4....no problem, but man, I'm gonna try your technique on the 3 vibrato - which as a Butter acolyte, I've always coveted, but usually wind up cheating with a tongue vibrato - whistle style.
Since I began on Hohner's Marine Band model 1896 (10-hole diatonic) in 1974 and still use it, I guess I'd be a fool to advocate any other brand or model, wouldn't I? Sign up to harp-L and ask for advice over there, if you're looking for more options.
Adam! My problem is vibrato on blow notes. I can get that cool wavy sound drawing because the note is slightly bending and going back into clean. Maybe that is temolo, whatever. I want my blow notes to vibrato, not just shut on and off!
I've never even tried playing one of these, but it has sort of intrigued me so I've been watching these tutorials a bit lately. I couldn't find a fast answer to this, does a two hole draw mean drawing from two holes (which ever two, sort of) or drawing from the hole number two? :D
hey adam...im just started harmonica and it might be a dumb question but to achieve single notes im using my tongue to slightly touch that hole so it actually comes a pretty cool sound...is there any problem with that?i mean it took me 2 days to make that and from what i know the easy things arent always the best...keep on..:D
Adam, I'm not sure if My vibrato's are right. But I use the air flowing through the harp, into my mouth and down into my lungs and I vibrato by moving my cheeks, tongue and lowering my jaw to change the volume of air I guess in my mouth, it works... but is it correct? Love your stuff mate.
Not to be rude, mr. noob Zoob* But he clearly asked what harmonica was used in each lesson. While he does often use a Bb harmonica, many of his lessons use other keys.
Hi Adam, Just got my first Harp a Hohner blues in C, i just going to concentrate upon the single note draws and 2draw daily for a few months.until i have it pat,as per your first 1/2 lessons.thnaks very much BTW i saw the trailer on your site for the Satan and Adam movie,is Satan still around and OK ? Thanks again
Hi Adam, I find that when I am attempting throat vibrato that the muscles in my diaphragm still contact and relax. Also, I don't think my throat is moving much, if at all. Any tips on how to fix this? Secondly, allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for all your excellent vidoes. You never fail to amaze me. Thank you sir.
Hey Mr. Gussow! I just started playing the harmonica a few days ago. I bought the C harmonica and I've realized that you are playing a B# harmonica. Is it possible for me to still get a similar sound to what you play on the 2-hole draw with a C harmonica? I've been trying to get it and sometimes it seems like it works more on the 3-hole and also my 1-hole sounds nothing at all like yours.
got your beginners package, and thoughly enjoying it btw, on the Floyd's Hotel, where you have 6b 5d 4d 3draw bend 3draw bend 2 draw, am I wrong, because at the end of that phrase, I find it more intuitive and easier to actually do a 3draw bend 3 blow?
i'm having trouble,,it keeps on going flat on the 2 draw,,but as I breath through my noise it sounds a bit better,,BUT my lungs fill up instantly =),,,, Adam,,,do you breathe through your noise on this note?
hey, i think here is a good place to make a question.. so, you write everywhere "Blues harmonica". Is is any special type of harmonica? or just way of playing?
Your embouchure is flawed. You might want to check out the video on my website, Modern Blues Harmonica (dot) com, entitled "Blues Harmonica Tone Clinic."
i feel kinda stupid saying this lol but i bin trying for a couple days now and i still cant blow through just one hole i always end up blowing through two or three holes any ideas?
hi. Great videos!!! Can u create a lesson plz. with HARP compare. I mean Cvs.A or Cvs.B (also B flat..dont know what it is).. cause i start to learn C, but when went into music store to chose something different, there were a thousands of different harps With major and minor high and low etc.... what adventages for eatch of them? maybe i'am to stupid lol Thanks
Hi sir, I've bought a G harmonica,as a beginner,I know all beginners star with C harmonica, but I really loved its sound,I also play guitar. my question is, I had same problem with draw 2,and with help of this video I solved it, but strange is I have same problem,but more, with draw 3! Is it possible that problem is from the harmonica or? (my harmonica is a new hohner G)
I can do a vibrato with my abs, like a singer, also with my tongue, like chewing, but I'm completely confused by the concept of the vibrato with the throat -- how do you do it? Anybody?
By any chance do you have I want you and or sweet home chicago tabbed out exactly the way you play it on harlem blues. P.S any one reading this that doesn't Adam and satans Harlem blues should get IT!!!
I started when I was 16 years old, in the fall of my senior year in high school.
My girlfriend bought me a long 56 hole harmonica for christmas, which I liked. But after seeing some of your videos I had to get a diatonic one too (cos I love the blues). I been playing guitar for over 10 years so its great to play something new. I am really enjoying learning. Thank you very much for your videos.
Thanks! I've never been to Brazil (Brasil), by the way, but have huge respect for the musicians and music down there.
I just got that index... and it was the single best dollar that I have ever spent!... This is exactly what I felt was missing from you most excellent resource.. some way to quickly scroll through all of the information to target precisely what you want to!! Adam, thanks again for all you are doing on the harmonica, your brilliance passion is why I refer all my more advanced players to you!! HAPPY HARPING!!! mike
@jorritsmit: The difference between sax and harp, of course, is that sax players make all their notes on the exhale. Harp players make half their notes on the inhale, and when they're playing cross harp (the most common blues position) they play more than half of their notes on the draw, since the root, 3rd, 5th, and flat 7th are all draw on the strong lower and middle octave notes. The sort of vibrato I describe here--deep throat vibrato--is superior on the draw notes, I think.
Hi Adam, I´m Brazilian and i "play" harmonica since 1999 but, i confess, after a saw ur video, i saw: i play nothing!
Thank u for ur lessons and when i start playing "good" i´ll post a video with a note: "adam was my teacher".
hugs and happy chistmas! thank u again!
That's good to know! I've always felt that the excercise really worked, but some positive feedback is nice.
You're absolutely right, the 2 draw is the most difficult obstacle as a new player that I have so far. I find I am pinching in an attempt to close off the 2 from the 1 and 3. I know this is old, but the little tips have been helping me greatly.
I have been playing for over 20 years and have never broken down the anatomy or mechanics of of playing. Thanks Adam! I'll be back for more!
Holy crap this is tougher than i thought. Awesome lessons.
and it also inspired me to play the harp, i bought a Bb harp so i can along with your teachings, thanks it's helping alot
I can't believe this series of lessons are free, on youtube...
Thank you, Mr Gussow!
No commercial sure adam has a site and he does but he gives free lesson on here and take time to personally reply to most people
thats a lot of free time and input ,so no commercial
I have been playing about 6 months, i actually jumped on stage with a friends blues band the day i bought my harps. I had been practicing the BS lessons that come with the harp all day and have enough theory knowledge to know to stay in my limitations. I impressed everyone, but now more is expected, your lessons are so appreciated as the books and cds i've bought don't come near the explanation of techniques and getting that "pro sound" thanks a lot
"In other words, I was going to do what meditators do when you come up against who you are, and what you are, and you just sit with it. You just confront exactly where you are, you don't try to hide from it, you just say, I'm going to do what I do, then I'm going to work on it."
You are awesome. And intense. I'm not kidding when I say these videos are sheer genius. I may not know much about harmonica, but I know you sure do. Thanks for this.
Adam, your videos are great. Thanks so much!
One thing I found - the right harp matters a lot, especially for the 2-hole draw. With the inexpensive Hohner BluesBand (C) harp, all I could manage was a very duckish 2-hole draw.
When I bought a Hohner Marine Band Special 20 (C), the 2-hole draw was SO much easier, and stronger sounding. It was like night and day. I thought others might be in the same boat. If so, make sure you have a good harp.
I can't diagnose without seeing you in action, I"m afraid. Ultimately, the sound is what counts, not how you produce it. If you get a great sound using your technique and you can kick your vibrato into gear whenever you want--hey, I'm a fan.
It's a special way of playing. But you can play that style--blues harmonica--on any 10-hole diatonic harmonica, and on many varieties of chromatic harmonica.
Thanks DJ. Yeah, most of the good players taught themselves, but some of us had a great teacher come along at the right moment and give us a helping hand. I'm just trying to repay the favor.
adam, you have an incredible talent and your penchant for teaching is beyond inspirational. The satan and adam documentary can't be released soon enough.
ok so ive been learning how to play for the last few years, only in the past summer till now have i been searchin the videos on youtube to get some good stuff down. i guess what im trying to say is thanks for all the help, got lots to learn and im just scratching the surface of your lessons. oh and bravado, excelent ive been baffled as how to do it just as you were thanks for that as well.
Great lesson!!! Adam is my mentor. I would like to add a small tip to his great vibrato that helps me get it out better however I am not very good at this yet. Try laying down on your back while performing Adams "Seven Beats to Better Vibrato Method/Better Vibrato Just 5 Minutes A Day". This will automatically bring the vibrato more from the gut. Thanks Adam
thanks man, u realy realy realy helped me out! people told me before that my draw on the 2 sounded bad, thanks to u it al good now and we made a few new songs with a good feeling.
Thanks Aagain!
@ArtofDreaming1: You know, I don't have that, but I really should. I'm glad you like that solo. It would be a b---h to tab, actually, because the timing is tricky. I'll make a note and do that sometime in the not-too-distant future.
I hope the exercise work, couse Ive always have wanted to get a vibrato like profesionals do... Its one of the things that blows my mind when I listen to harp player making vibratoes, going form one octove to other one getting that fast vibrato creating tension in chords progresions... even in chromatic harps the do it
Wow! Great lesson - Thanks for sharing!
Jam on!
-BB
Mr. Gussow, you must be the Harp player on the Internet and I would like to thank you for sharing the knowledge you have. I also have a question about what age you started playing.
Thanks
Thank you sooooooooo muuuuch! I know I'm not doing a great vibrato now, but it improved somehow. Thanks again, for teaching the importance of keep breathing and keep time...
Yes, the series is free, all 175+ of my videos. But please feel free to drop a buck or two in the electronic tip bucket, which can be found at the bottom of my website's homepage...Modern Blues Harmonica (dot) com
Thanks so much for this superb instructional. There are outthere some killer harp players now, but not many as superb teachers as you!
Don't worry. I had the same problem at the beginning and it was frustrating to me as well! I'd say, just keep trying without too much pressure, and listen to throat vibratos from different players. Give your ears, your throat and your breath time and be gentle to them ;-) One fine day I just realized it was in my tone. It could work the same for other people ;-)
7:57 made my day xp
Good job man, you are awesome!
google "tremolo vibrato" and take a look at what wikipedia says. I'm actually doing both--varying pitch slightly, varying intensity--and if I pull my tongue back in my mouth as I play, to get that Howlin Wolf sound, the pitch varies quite distinctly--"vibrato," according to the definition offered in Wikipedia, which is the generally accepted definition.
Great video! I've always had some issues with my vibrato.
And yes, it IS vibrato. Tremolo is a completely different effect, used mostly by folk blues players and, occassionaly, by Sonny Boy Williamson II. It sounds very soft and is consisted of fluttering your free(right) palm in front of the hand that's holding the harp, never completely enclosing the harp. That creates an air turbulence and modifies the sound. There are two types of tremolo, soft & rapid (depends on the fluttering speed).
You’re describing a wah effect, not tremolo. Tremolo is a fluctuation in intensity, vibrato is a fluctuation in pitch, and wah is the modulation of the low end frequencies of the harmonica.
Hey Adam... Great great tutorials... you are clear, passionate, and a great teacher (and the attitude helps... cool!). I'm a beginner, but I feel I'm learning a lot... Thank you very much for doing this. Tell us if you accept donations...
One question... Anyone... Any tips for the draw? in the video, Adam's way of drawing is, for me, weird... He extends his lips... Maybe he'll explain it later... But let me know if anyone has a useful tip, or the video were he does.
Thanks for the tips on vibrato, it seemed to have worked for me. I used to do that coughing thing and it eventually changed to a smoother sounding vibrato, did take a while though haha
You are a Player who makes Me want to sit there and soak it up!
I'm happy to have inspired anybody to get involved with this devilish little instrument. Just don't blame me when it takes over your life.
GREAT LESSON!
thanks anyway, i may not get it perfect yet, but these vids sure help me a lot!
cheers!
THANK YOU! this video and #2 has made such a difference for me! I cant wait to get through the next 190 videos :)
It's easy, but only if you do as I say: blow as much or more air AROUND the harp (i.e., above and below the top and bottom coverplates) as through the holes, by allowing the harp to fall away from your mouth on that 8th beat.
@Strongbanana
hello strongbanana,
I know exactly what you mean but by now, I already can do a nice vibrato. The trick is to practice it hard. This is a great lesson.
i am a novice harp player, and still struggling getting a good vibrato. Anyway, there seem to be a handful of widespread approaches to producing it: using diaphragm, throat, mouth or tongue. IMO, mastering them all would be a good idea. Thanks for inspirational video, Adam, and now it's time for me to go back woodshedding :P
Thanks! You should check out the three lessons called "crossroads," where I talk too much, probably, but lay out the life journey of a serious harp player.
I've done that. "Amping the Harp." A short free video on UA-cam, a much longer video at Modern Blues Harmonica.
Adam I find your videos VERY helpful. Thank you and keep it up please.
15 years later he's still giving it all away!
Ok is the vibrato like coughing but without a full glottal stop? That feels like it's in my throat.
I must have gone through this vid 5 times. This time I nailed a deep vibrato that rocks. Practice.
Thank you very much. Very helpfull Lesson for me.
Adam, thanks for the great tuition! I suppose I am a bit impatient, I can get clean, clear 2 hole draws, but when it comes to vibrato, i'm sounding identical to what you started off at 28. My vibrato is sounding quite stuttered at the moment... Like you said in the video, I should just continue with what i have, and does the relaxation happen naturally? Thanks again.
I'm sure I cover this in this video or the one before or after. I suggest that you begin by coughing inwardly, learn how to strengthen that, then slowly allow it to smooth out.
Donations may be sent to: Modern Blues Harmonica, P.O. Box 2216, Oxford MS 38655
The extended lips thing is pretty much industry standard. It makes a huge difference. I learned it from Jon Gindick (google him), who has taught more people how to play the harmonica than anybody else in the world. Tell him I sentcha. And make your lips big and fat.
Adam - you're amazing! I just discovered you last week and already your harp mastery and life story has been an inspiration. Thanks! The quality and strength of that vibrato is what struck me when I heard you play. And how you achieve it (seemingly all in the throat). The only way I can get that strong a vibrato on the 2 hole is by drawing normally and shaking the harp. Seems to work for me, but I question whether or not this is a good technique. What do you think? Thanks for the lessons! Joe
The Zen of HARP. : D
Heeyyy Adammm.. Jee mannnnn your tipssss aree reallyyy goood... is helping me a lotttttt... thankss for the lessons.... i got it... you're a damnn good teacher... =)
Well I thought I was wrong with my technique on the 2nd draw until I bought a Hohner Marine Band (special 20)
Seems like cheap or old harmonicas tend to be weaker on this one. Am I wrong Adam? I try both my old Delta and my new Hohner back to back and I don't have any problems with my Hohner. By the way, thanks a lot Adam for your complete and really helpful videos. As a pure beginner, you're my private teacher ;)
Keep doing this amasing work!
Thanks, Adam! 1,2,4....no problem, but man, I'm gonna try your technique on the 3 vibrato - which as a Butter acolyte, I've always coveted, but usually wind up cheating with a tongue vibrato - whistle style.
great post man
you should do a lesson on how to play what you play amplafied
Since I began on Hohner's Marine Band model 1896 (10-hole diatonic) in 1974 and still use it, I guess I'd be a fool to advocate any other brand or model, wouldn't I? Sign up to harp-L and ask for advice over there, if you're looking for more options.
sorry i did not put any effort into that comment, i was talking more about the tune you are playing while using the amp.
Adam! My problem is vibrato on blow notes. I can get that cool wavy sound drawing because the note is slightly bending and going back into clean. Maybe that is temolo, whatever. I want my blow notes to vibrato, not just shut on and off!
Thanx man!! i can now draw on the 2nd.Im over the moon.
@jorritsmit: .......(Part 2)....but on the higher blow notes, I've come to agree with you that jaw vibrato is superior.
Good advice. Cheers!
Brilliant
I've never even tried playing one of these, but it has sort of intrigued me so I've been watching these tutorials a bit lately. I couldn't find a fast answer to this, does a two hole draw mean drawing from two holes (which ever two, sort of) or drawing from the hole number two? :D
hey adam...im just started harmonica and it might be a dumb question but to achieve single notes im using my tongue to slightly touch that hole so it actually comes a pretty cool sound...is there any problem with that?i mean it took me 2 days to make that and from what i know the easy things arent always the best...keep on..:D
Adam, I'm not sure if My vibrato's are right. But I use the air flowing through the harp, into my mouth and down into my lungs and I vibrato by moving my cheeks, tongue and lowering my jaw to change the volume of air I guess in my mouth, it works... but is it correct?
Love your stuff mate.
Not to be rude, mr. noob
Zoob*
But he clearly asked what harmonica was used in each lesson. While he does often use a Bb harmonica, many of his lessons use other keys.
14 years ago, that's one year after i was born
Hi Adam,
Just got my first Harp a Hohner blues in C,
i just going to concentrate upon the single note draws and 2draw daily for a few months.until i have it pat,as per your first 1/2 lessons.thnaks very much
BTW i saw the trailer on your site for the Satan and Adam movie,is Satan still around and OK ?
Thanks again
Hi Adam,
I find that when I am attempting throat vibrato that the muscles in my diaphragm still contact and relax. Also, I don't think my throat is moving much, if at all. Any tips on how to fix this?
Secondly, allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for all your excellent vidoes. You never fail to amaze me.
Thank you sir.
Qwesome lesson dude!
Teach us the harmonica solo in "Hook" by Blues Traveler and I'll subscribe!
Hey Mr. Gussow! I just started playing the harmonica a few days ago. I bought the C harmonica and I've realized that you are playing a B# harmonica. Is it possible for me to still get a similar sound to what you play on the 2-hole draw with a C harmonica? I've been trying to get it and sometimes it seems like it works more on the 3-hole and also my 1-hole sounds nothing at all like yours.
hey adam thanks for all you do, i got a question, do you play a harp in the key of "A", and which key is your favorite
ty 4 sharing this! gr8 tips! :)
got your beginners package, and thoughly enjoying it btw, on the Floyd's Hotel, where you have 6b 5d 4d 3draw bend 3draw bend 2 draw, am I wrong, because at the end of that phrase, I find it more intuitive and easier to actually do a 3draw bend 3 blow?
i'm having trouble,,it keeps on going flat on the 2 draw,,but as I breath through my noise it sounds a bit better,,BUT my lungs fill up instantly =),,,,
Adam,,,do you breathe through your noise on this note?
Yes: Church Lady mouth is perfect.
i can put throat vibrato on whenever i blow but i find it near impossible to put vibrato while i inhale or draw. It's soo frustrating to me!
Is vibrato something that is used only with a draw or should I be trying to use it on the blow as well?
hey, i think here is a good place to make a question.. so, you write everywhere "Blues harmonica". Is is any special type of harmonica? or just way of playing?
hey adam
the riffs that you demonstrate, towards the end. whats the name of the song or where can i find more info on it.
Your embouchure is flawed. You might want to check out the video on my website, Modern Blues Harmonica (dot) com, entitled "Blues Harmonica Tone Clinic."
No. I've given you the best that I've got. Now's a good time for private lessons.
me too
thanks for these great vids! but im still having trouble getting a clear single note, i keep hearing the notes around it.. any further tips?
i feel kinda stupid saying this lol but i bin trying for a couple days now and i still cant blow through just one hole i always end up blowing through two or three holes any ideas?
hi. Great videos!!!
Can u create a lesson plz. with HARP compare. I mean Cvs.A or Cvs.B (also B flat..dont know what it is).. cause i start to learn C, but when went into music store to chose something different, there were a thousands of different harps With major and minor high and low etc.... what adventages for eatch of them?
maybe i'am to stupid lol
Thanks
Hi Adam,
What key harmonica do you use in each lesson.
Hey adam,
when i play vibrato i often find myself tightening up in the stomache and entire abdomen. Anyway to stop this?
Hi sir, I've bought a G harmonica,as a beginner,I know all beginners star with C harmonica, but I really loved its sound,I also play guitar.
my question is, I had same problem with draw 2,and with help of this video I solved it, but strange is I have same problem,but more, with draw 3! Is it possible that problem is from the harmonica or? (my harmonica is a new hohner G)
How long did it take you to get the vibrato that you can play now?
Yes, draw is breathing in.
I can do a vibrato with my abs, like a singer, also with my tongue, like chewing, but I'm completely confused by the concept of the vibrato with the throat -- how do you do it? Anybody?
Hey Adam, i just was wondering at what age did you start with the harmonica?
ill be waiting for your answer
thank you
I think I saw somewhere he was 26 or 29. Im leaning towards 29 though.
By any chance do you have I want you and or sweet home chicago tabbed out exactly the way you play it on harlem blues. P.S any one reading this that doesn't Adam and satans Harlem blues should get IT!!!