Blues Harp

[chickenpicker]

I've just bought a Hohner Marine Band harmonica, in C. That was the easy part.

Googled blues harp and found that I need to play songs in G, and suck. Tried that, and it did indeed suck. Getting more difficult now.

So I need the help of folk here: could you suggest thenames of harp players, that I might search for them on youtube to help me learn the instrument? I only know of Charlie McCoy, and he plays too fast!

All help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Tedecaster]

To play blues scales, you use a harmonica which is in the key of the 4th of the key you want to play in (ie. your C harp is the fourth of key of G.) They used to call it cross-harp when I was fooling with them. Check out Little Walter, James Cotton, Rod Piazza, Billy Branch, to name a few.

 

[chickenpicker]

Thanks. I'll look them up.

 

[freshmattyp]

I'd get a copy of this book:

Country and Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless

 

[eddiewagner]

i learned my two tricks this way: the local bluesharp-bear said: "start sucking at the 4th hole and keep going." thats what i did. you can play a very basic blues that way. thats not even my 2 cents, more like 1/2 cent.....

 

[chickenpicker]

Great advice! I'll look that book up - sounds about right!

I've just discovered that when the chord changes to C, I can blow into the fourth hole (thereby releasing a huge lungful of built-up air), resuming sucking when the chord changes back!

 

[Big John]

Start HERE !!

Hey CP !!, this is a guy i work with from time to time and he is a MONSTER player, (check his CV) and this link should take you to the "Harvest moon" where you can download a load of stuff to learn some 'C harp' licks and stuff to get you started.
Lockwood link

 

[Califiddler]

Go to Homespuntapes.com and get John Sebastian's Blues Harmonica DVD. It's $30 and will keep you busy for a long time. Yes, it's the same John Sebastian from the Lovin' Spoonful. He played the harmonica on the Doors' Roadhouse Blues, so listen to that to see if you like his playing enough. He covers a lot of the basics of blues harmonica playing. I think that this will help you to learn much quicker than just listening to harp players.

Here's the link:

http://www.homespuntapes.com/prodpg/prodpg.asp?prodID=552&prodType=

Listen to all the classic folks, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, etc. I like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. Because it's just guitar and harp you hear the harp really well.

 

[chickenpicker]

Thanks guys.

 

[msteurbaut]

Thanks guys.

Another interesting link: http://www.bluesharp.ca/legends/

 

[msteurbaut]

Another interesting link: http://www.bluesharp.ca/legends/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arXM4BIfI44&mode=related&search=

 

[rand z]

listen to early john mayall and alan wilson from canned heat on "hooker n heat"

listen to sony boy williamson II (rice miller), little walter jacobs with muddy waters and solo on old chess records compilations. listen to charlie musselwhite, james cotton, paul butterfield, junior wells, delbert mc clinton, howard levy on early flecktones cd. and listen to TOOT THIELMANS!

john sebastion can play nice blues harp too., charlie mc coy in know for country harp but can play the blues.

a guy by the name of rockin jake (larry jocobs) is one of the best harp players that ive ever seen. i dont know much about him but hes great. another guy called crawdaddy based in knoxville, tn is really good too. and howie golub from the "boat drunks" based in illinois is aslo a great player.

enough?

just take your time and slowly try to copy simple, short phrases that anyone of these guys play. make sure your harp is in the same key as their harp (very important).

GO SLOWLY and after you get the hang of the blowing in/out part, and the distance between the holes and get good tone from closing your lips around the given hole(s), piece together the various phrases.

then forget consciously copying anything and make up your own phrases. DONT FORGET THAT EMPTY SPACE IS VERY IMPORTANT. that, and phrase like a vocalist.

good LUCK.

rand z tropicalsoul.net

 

[goyo4400]

WARNING !! --if you listen to Hooker n Heat you might get too discouraged and throw your harp in the trash can!! Old "blind owl" was really on his game for that one IMHO.

 

[rand z]

alan wilson (rest his soul), was a tremendous harp player; a great songwriter (goin up the country, although he was kinda copying the mississippi shieks); and a soulful singer with a very strange and unique voice.

his musical output was unfortunately minimal. as he had a very short life.
ive always missed him.

imho, too.


rand z tropicalsoul.net

 

[BritishBluesBoy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arXM4BIfI44&mode=related&search=

Oh man - that's amazing. Sends shivers down my spine!!

Thanks for posting!

Aaron.