the greatest three-note lick in the history of blues harmonica?

Музыка

Three notes, a world of feeling and intensity. This lesson breaks down a remarkably powerful blues harmonica lick--originated by Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller), supercharged by James Cotton--into four sequential stages version, from beginner through advanced, and shows you where the magic is, using a key of C harmonica. With Adam Gussow of ModernBluesHarmonica.com
T-shirt courtesy of www.harpkingtshirts.com
Please note: at the 3:47 point, Gussow misspeaks. He should have said, "It's a triplet, but it's displaced the equivalent of a dotted eighth-note ahead of the beat."
Here's James Cotton playing the lick on an E harp in "All Walks of Life," from the 100% COTTON album: • The James Cotton Band ...
For more blues harp instruction, visit Modern Blues Harmonica:
www.modernbluesharmonica.com/b...

Пікірлер: 132

  • @MegaJimmy777
    @MegaJimmy7776 жыл бұрын

    my ma gave me a wood reed hohner C blues harp when i was about 8 or so (she'll be 95 in April godwilling))...she taught me to play with the high notes in my left hand and low notes in my left...she played all the old cowboy songs like camp town ladys and you are my sunshine...in fact she still loves to play (to this very day)...anyway when i caught the blues in chicago (i guess mid 60's) i heard a blues guy playing on the street on the southside)...i wanted to stay and listen to him that day...but we were on our way to the hospital to see my old man...i traveled there with my ma because i was her "halkeye" (she was blind) and needed me to read the postings on the bus so we went the right way...long story short...i started listening to every blues recording i could get my hands on with my favorites of charlie musselwhite...paul butterfield...corky seigel...and of course sonny boy two/little walter/and even that chromatic harpmaster william clarke...as i tried to learn the blues licks i realized after a friend pointed it out that i was playing wrong as i needed to get those low notes in my left hand where they belonged...funny...i guess my ma ma taught me how to play backwards and those blues cats forward :-)...you're awesome Gusgow!!!...i'll sign off with the cost of harmonica's now as compared to those old days...fifty bucks now and i remember as little as four bucks back in the day...i never soak em in beer anymore ;-)...sheesh...i have five hundred or so bucks worth of harps at my gigs which include lee oscars/hohner blues/and two antique chorus 64 holer's (talk about gettin dizzy!!!...

  • @leguerrierdumental5521
    @leguerrierdumental5521 Жыл бұрын

    Well my harmonica was resting in my studio for 2 years, and your the guy who made me pick it up and understand, exploring and having fun with this so small , but great instrument, Thanks Master Gussow !

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    Жыл бұрын

    You're welcome. Keep picking it up. One day it will surprise you with what it says. ---Master G

  • @chickennuggets7710
    @chickennuggets77107 жыл бұрын

    excellent as always, you really do teach stuff we cant find anywhere else, keep up the good work dr.gussow!

  • @zachvanslyke4341
    @zachvanslyke43417 жыл бұрын

    Outstanding lesson once again. Thanks for all of your hard work Dr. Adam

  • @richardparkhouse3635
    @richardparkhouse36355 жыл бұрын

    Meet you in Edinburgh Adam couple of years back. Your lessons are great not only does one appreciate what a great player sounds like but it makes you want to improve irrespective so of ones ability. Thank you.

  • @ch-wg2cq
    @ch-wg2cq6 жыл бұрын

    Simply awesome teaching Adam!

  • @douglastibbitts6817
    @douglastibbitts68175 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the tips. Your teaching style keeps me involved. I find it easier to breath out through nose without changing mouth position to expel extra air from that lick. For me it's just easier to play that lick fast and clean. All ways wanted to learn that lick. Thank you sir.

  • @Blue_3rd
    @Blue_3rd6 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for another great lesson, Adam. Gary Primich used this riff extensively in his song ‘Goodbye Little Girl’ from his ‘Botheration’ CD. It’s essentially a Rice Miller riffs masterclass :)

  • @JODYCK1
    @JODYCK17 жыл бұрын

    thanks Gussow,thats like when i was learning drums or guitar,first you start slow and get the feel,then throw in the rest. thanks again,love your lessons.

  • @wimjongman
    @wimjongman3 жыл бұрын

    Gussow's Classic Blues Licks You Should Know. That improv on 15:40 is the cherry on the cake. Thanks, sensei!

  • @leoramirez7583
    @leoramirez75837 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video, you play awesome.

  • @johnfreitas3019
    @johnfreitas30194 жыл бұрын

    I'm getting gooder but you'll always be the GOODEREST..!

  • @OmniphonProductions
    @OmniphonProductions7 жыл бұрын

    Great lesson; great lick! I particularly love that you mentioned the mobility.With or without the bent inflection on the top note, it works as...2B-2D-1D, 3B-3D-2D (bent or not), 4B-4D-3D (as taught), 5B-5D-4D, 6B-6D-5D, and that's not even including the top octave. This truly is, as you said, a simple principle that then leads to a much larger world.Side Note: It's great that you included a martial arts analogy because that same ability to apply a single principal in many different ways is one of the main differences between a student and a master.

  • @ikust007

    @ikust007

    5 жыл бұрын

    OmniphonProductions I am missing a note or something on the part 3: I bend the 4 but when I listen to Guss I have the feeling there is a double note . I do not do part 2: i do part 3 . But I really have the feeling of a shuffle ...??

  • @andydunn5673
    @andydunn56736 жыл бұрын

    Another great lesson Thanks for sharing in such in in depth and passionate way

  • @jakeypainstone7342
    @jakeypainstone73422 жыл бұрын

    Amazing lesson Adam, my fav so far👍

  • @kyvss
    @kyvss Жыл бұрын

    This entire lesson is so frkn wholesome! Your empathy is importanter!

  • @Harpmando
    @Harpmando6 жыл бұрын

    Adam, you're great!

  • @chapolin5169
    @chapolin51697 жыл бұрын

    Great lesson, Adam! You are great, man! Got to work on that...

  • @gillesrenard2267
    @gillesrenard22676 жыл бұрын

    Great thanks for your generosity!

  • @990donk
    @990donk6 жыл бұрын

    Amazing! Blues Harmonica is like a language and you sir are Master.

  • @buffalohouse362
    @buffalohouse3627 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic lesson Adam. I am waiting with baited breath for the next. Loving this advanced "picking apart" you are giving us. Looking forward to the global blues harmonica summit. Just don't know what my chops will be like after 8 hours!

  • @Learntheharmonica
    @Learntheharmonica7 жыл бұрын

    Awesome lick!

  • @danlaxer514
    @danlaxer5145 жыл бұрын

    What's cool is when you're doing the bend at a fast speed it's like 4 distinct notes. In other words, your 4 draw to 4 draw bend sounds more like a pull-off on a guitar. It's very cool.

  • @49rockon
    @49rockon7 жыл бұрын

    Great lesson. This will be my first blues lick. Hope to be able to "lick" it soon. Please continue with your great work. And many thanks !

  • @FollowYourArt2

    @FollowYourArt2

    4 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic! Love your lessons! You got the groove!

  • @sammorush
    @sammorush4 жыл бұрын

    Nobody sound like you! You're an amazing player!

  • @sifularson
    @sifularson7 жыл бұрын

    Adam, I'm an 8th degree Black Belt in martial arts however I'm only a Blue belt with the harp. As a teacher, I often use analogies to help my students understand a concept. I truly enjoy your teaching style and your martial arts analogies. Thank you so much for all you do to help all us who are learning. Lastly, you are obviously very proud of your son. I can tell.

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    7 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you heard that pride.

  • @Tracks777
    @Tracks7777 жыл бұрын

    Good video! Keep it up!

  • @Robert-yk8tx
    @Robert-yk8tx7 жыл бұрын

    Nice idea to make a simple version to get the groove right first. Will use that more often. Thank you

  • @Nenden
    @Nenden7 жыл бұрын

    A very simple idea, transformed into something amazing! Thanks for the upload Adam.

  • @GipoHarmonicaSchool
    @GipoHarmonicaSchool7 жыл бұрын

    Great great lick! Very good for Shuffle Blues!!! Thanks Prof. Adam.

  • @timothyblanton4225
    @timothyblanton42257 жыл бұрын

    My two Gurus...... Adam and Tomlin. You guys are the most "giving" teachers alive. BTW, I'm signed up for the Global event in August.

  • @lesstroddenpath3726
    @lesstroddenpath37264 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for articulating it step by step thru the 'kungfu' of that groove, Adam 👌🏽

  • @javiersanchez2874
    @javiersanchez287410 ай бұрын

    Thx again gussow

  • @laskartrece
    @laskartrece6 жыл бұрын

    You have great passion and respect for this twofold black jewel (blues and harp). It is very hard to explain, it is not like guitar or piano... I try to follow you and is hard... takes time and faith...(specially faith, I guess) hahaha. Well, your "importanter" Tshirt is also "importante" for me because I am myself a professor of Spanish and words are just notes. Politicians know very well this "importanter" aspect when they play war symphonies to us... Appreciated, take care.

  • @HarpoonDon
    @HarpoonDon3 жыл бұрын

    I have that tee-shirt among others. I love it. That shirt is my favorite at the moment.

  • @drtone
    @drtone5 жыл бұрын

    Wow, the breathing trick is so bad ass!! Thanks!

  • @seankellyhimself5877
    @seankellyhimself58774 жыл бұрын

    You are awesome, thank you!

  • @tonyrhodes7941
    @tonyrhodes794111 ай бұрын

    Yo I'm loving every min thank you I'm going to get ur course

  • @Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward
    @Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward4 жыл бұрын

    I'm gonna try this on the E harp since you mentioned it

  • @MrBloozyman
    @MrBloozyman3 жыл бұрын

    Cool Mr Adam,,thanks man,,and loved the film,,,,you de man

  • @bsb4038
    @bsb40387 жыл бұрын

    Love your blues....

  • @AndrewKomarharp
    @AndrewKomarharp7 жыл бұрын

    great lesson)

  • @Zb_Calisthenic
    @Zb_Calisthenic4 жыл бұрын

    Best harp teacher on YT.

  • @masterofnone1481

    @masterofnone1481

    3 жыл бұрын

    Agreed 💯

  • @campcrazy9471
    @campcrazy94714 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff!!

  • @matthewscheidt7754
    @matthewscheidt7754 Жыл бұрын

    Many thanx!

  • @flying6676
    @flying66765 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic progressive lesson Thanks

  • @yoschieschmitt1929
    @yoschieschmitt19293 жыл бұрын

    Ich liebe es. Danke!

  • @scottjagodzinski9593
    @scottjagodzinski9593 Жыл бұрын

    Freaking amazing......thanks again

  • @josepharosso7329
    @josepharosso73296 жыл бұрын

    Excellent

  • @shamshermann
    @shamshermann7 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely loved the video! fantastic stuff... it's something like meditation when you realise reality is bigger... hahaha great explanation. look forward to more 🙏🙏🙏

  • @slava_bo
    @slava_bo7 жыл бұрын

    I'm going to practice ) tnx

  • @ericalbert6954
    @ericalbert69543 жыл бұрын

    Merci beaucoup l'Ami !!!

  • @rosedavila3547
    @rosedavila35473 жыл бұрын

    cool jam

  • @williamhoughton1484
    @williamhoughton14844 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant 🤙😎

  • @sammyg7106
    @sammyg71062 жыл бұрын

    Awesome

  • @jimmcminn4503
    @jimmcminn45033 жыл бұрын

    You da man! Thanks

  • @joebryan964
    @joebryan9644 жыл бұрын

    I wish these lessons was in order

  • @badraldenshalgen4489
    @badraldenshalgen44894 жыл бұрын

    You are amazing !!! mannn

  • @adachan7923
    @adachan79236 жыл бұрын

    I've been stuck on yhe triplets in sbw's "help me" for past few weeks - thanks for helping me crack the code!

  • @FAHRENHEIT451JL
    @FAHRENHEIT451JL4 жыл бұрын

    Sonny boy williamson - help second part to the second solo. Can't complete The song without out it I hate this lick so much, but you gotta love it.

  • @FAHRENHEIT451JL

    @FAHRENHEIT451JL

    4 жыл бұрын

    Help me*( song name not a cry for help lool)

  • @slimpickinses
    @slimpickinses6 жыл бұрын

    Adam as you were talking about air control I realized I was letting some air out of my nose on the blow.

  • @allenmahan9393
    @allenmahan93936 жыл бұрын

    Im w ya, Adam ...

  • @hamradiotime
    @hamradiotime3 жыл бұрын

    Massive!

  • @FAHRENHEIT451JL
    @FAHRENHEIT451JL4 жыл бұрын

    I've never been able tto get my four draw to wail when I'm pulling down over to The 3. Will this be the video to commit me

  • @danlaxer514
    @danlaxer5145 жыл бұрын

    But how are you making the 4D to 4D bend sound like 2 distinct notes rather than like a bend when you're at speed? It's like a pull-off on guitar. How do you do that?

  • @clawhammer704
    @clawhammer7044 жыл бұрын

    Very similar to the fiddle bow shuffle.

  • @Copharp9226
    @Copharp92267 жыл бұрын

    Adam, thank you, for the great three note lick. I don't have a problem with the lick, but I can't open my lip even a tad without getting additional notes lick a "double stop." What's the answer. I also heard that three note lick from Ronnie Shellist!

  • @mdpocoroba
    @mdpocoroba5 жыл бұрын

    My car alarm wants to learn that lick.

  • @brettpenza5149
    @brettpenza51495 жыл бұрын

    You're a blessin' on KZread (and probably everywhere else you go). You mention tongue blocking. This is how I learned to make a single note, way back 40+ years ago as a kid in 6th grade. Unfortunately, it sort of takes away the ability to articulate with the tongue. I am trying now to get the single note as you teach. I can certainly see the value of it. Not easy to master though, after you've been sealing out with the tongue for years. What is the "standard" in your experience? Do most blues players do it all with the lips, or are there some accomplished blues "tongue blockers"? Just wondering. Thanks again for all these gifts you are providing to us.

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    5 жыл бұрын

    Most players I know started with lip pursing, then added tongue blocking at a certain point. The exception would be blues players who were mentored by David Barrett, Joe Filisko, or Dennis Gruenling, each of whom is primarily (or almost exclusively) a tongue blocker, and each of whom encourages his students to start with fulltime TB. It's much harder (although still possible) to overblow when you TB, so guys who overblow (Jason Ricci, Carlos del Junco, me) tend to go back and forth between TB and LP.

  • @slimturnpike
    @slimturnpike Жыл бұрын

    I'm gonna ask a really naive question, but what note are you resolving after the lick towards the end of the video? Obviously the tonic of the scale but which hole and direction? Thanks.

  • @yoschieschmitt1929
    @yoschieschmitt19293 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Adam, once again. However, I am not sure I know exactly what lick three of the four is. The others I wrote down and work on doing them increasingly faster.

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    3 жыл бұрын

    Do you mean "what NOTE three of the four is"? I assume so. That third note is the 3 draw. Just a 3 draw, without bend or inflection.

  • @sizzlechooch
    @sizzlechooch7 жыл бұрын

    "It dont move, if it ain't got that grove." Hey, I make eet up.

  • @timothyblanton4225
    @timothyblanton42257 жыл бұрын

    No one explains it better. Not just the notes but the Nuts and Bolts. Yahoo!

  • @joabgarcia4476
    @joabgarcia44767 жыл бұрын

    is there any good books you can revomend to learn quality tevhniques??

  • @alexmc69

    @alexmc69

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'd start with a dictionary

  • @poleristgaming8355
    @poleristgaming83557 жыл бұрын

    Why cant you teach us that stuff at the end! This lesson was awesome! But that stuff at the end there was out of this world!

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    6 жыл бұрын

    Maybe if I get you hooked on some great sounds, you will teach yourself. That's my ultimate goal, little cricket.

  • @McDonnellMusic
    @McDonnellMusic5 жыл бұрын

    How are you so sure I don't have an E harp ?

  • @bloodshotgaming7
    @bloodshotgaming73 ай бұрын

    Niceeeeee

  • @ronrehmann2753
    @ronrehmann27532 жыл бұрын

    Proud of that kid, ain’t you?

  • @johnhopkins6731
    @johnhopkins67313 жыл бұрын

    Adam I have a question, is it ok to breath out through your nose instead of blowing over the harmonica? Sometimes I find it is easier.

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, it's okay.

  • @Axman10
    @Axman102 жыл бұрын

    15:58

  • @Axman10

    @Axman10

    2 жыл бұрын

    15:58

  • @storballen4449
    @storballen44496 жыл бұрын

    That shirt is hilarious

  • @a.reagam5037
    @a.reagam50376 жыл бұрын

    What it is, is.

  • @Timbyte
    @Timbyte7 жыл бұрын

    i think James Cotton copied that lick from Rice Miller. He used it a lot on the 4 chord.

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    7 жыл бұрын

    I suspect you're right. Cotton got a lot from SBWII. Do you have a clip where SBW uses this lick? I can't immediately think of one.

  • @Timbyte

    @Timbyte

    7 жыл бұрын

    also, thanx for the video

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    7 жыл бұрын

    Yes! You are right. That is the lick at :47. James Cotton got it from Sonny Boy. I'm handing it from Cotton (his records) to YOU. (I've edited the video description to reflect the lick's history.) Keep it alive.

  • @melvincassii3359

    @melvincassii3359

    7 жыл бұрын

    Sonny Boy used it on Help Me and at least one recording of Eyesight to the Blind. And be sure to to check out Annie Raines' Got to Fly (so nice on an F#).

  • @MegaBoomer666
    @MegaBoomer6667 жыл бұрын

    Echt super Leider spreche ich kein Englisch Aber sehr schön gezeigt Vielen Dank

  • @Robert-yk8tx

    @Robert-yk8tx

    7 жыл бұрын

    Wanderer x - translated: 'Really superb, unfortunately i dont speak english but very well demonstrated, thank you very much'

  • @davidfriedman6224
    @davidfriedman62247 жыл бұрын

    Nice inadvertent use of 'pitch' moving away from the bat to demonstrate a moving 'pitch' in a blues note.

  • @azmildman
    @azmildman6 жыл бұрын

    You can't teach me the good stuff at the end? (the last note twice?)

  • @whiskeyoo7
    @whiskeyoo77 жыл бұрын

    What is it e harmonica ya doing this?

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    7 жыл бұрын

    I"m using a C harp.

  • @whiskeyoo7

    @whiskeyoo7

    7 жыл бұрын

    Gussow's classic blues harmonica videos : ok . Thanks adam. Great videos. Keep up the great work

  • @whiskeyoo7

    @whiskeyoo7

    7 жыл бұрын

    Gussow's classic blues harmonica videos : i would like some g lee oscar tips😀

  • @SH-lh5yv
    @SH-lh5yv2 жыл бұрын

    Please subs Indonesia

  • @ronrehmann2753
    @ronrehmann27532 жыл бұрын

    I have an E harp, Bro

  • @aleX_k_punkt
    @aleX_k_punkt4 жыл бұрын

    please also listen to this master of this lick: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q5iCk7R9dMvMfNo.html Mr Aleck „Rice“ Miller aka Sonny Boy Williamson II In this song in the beginning and then his solo about at 1:15 I think he‘s playing C on an F harp ....

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I've never heard that particular track, but you are 100% right to ask us to pay attention to it. James Cotton was a student of Rice Miller's and he clearly took this riff from his master. You've got great taste and great ears.

  • @60viking
    @60viking6 жыл бұрын

    i don't feel like i am going to get this. might as well sell my Marine band. well maybe Ill just keep it.

  • @johnwise7693

    @johnwise7693

    5 жыл бұрын

    don't give up!!

  • @jamesmoody2383
    @jamesmoody23836 жыл бұрын

    Great lick...but way too much talk to get me going !

  • @AnthonyMonaghan
    @AnthonyMonaghan6 жыл бұрын

    Do you have an extra lung...because I am dying here!

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    6 жыл бұрын

    No, but I am a distance runner. That helps. The key thing is to maintain balance between in-breath and out-breath. Usually this means finding a way to quickly exhale in the middle of long powerful draw notes.

  • @Andy-in8ej
    @Andy-in8ej4 жыл бұрын

    They keep saying to me ,,,,,move the instrument not your head,,,,,,The first 2 minutes,???????

  • @Southside_Slim
    @Southside_Slim4 жыл бұрын

    Aaaah Sanse I snnnatchathe pebble almost most gracious Teacha Suh Dang Teach whooee James Cotton was kungfoo fightin his shuffle liks was fast as lightnin hoooeee git down gibackupagain.Cotton mess in around with the time on those longer liks is like one of the first things I tried to mimic when I first picked up the harp and I saw Gooses vid a beginner lesson and he's mentioning how the harpist is the one guy in the band who can be off time or wrong note miss a beat and still be 😎that's kept me go in when I've ready to hang it up and as Mooncat says in a lesson about riffs if you don't get a lik right if you make a mistake don't give up the worst you done is create a new lik

  • @gregschroer2314
    @gregschroer23147 жыл бұрын

    don't understand why for beginners he would not suggest Hohner golden Melody easiest harmonica you ever tried to bend on try it if you don't like it I'll buy it from you

  • @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    @gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

    7 жыл бұрын

    Golden Melody harps are tuned for melodies, not chords. The chords are slightly off. I believe that beginners need to learn how to play chord rhythms as well as melodies. If the chords are slightly sour--and they are--then students won't get accurate feedback on proper embouchure. Even perfect embouchure will produce a slightly sour chord. Also, I believe that wood combs give a better sound--including a better sounding bend. Finally, 90% of the great classic repertoire for blues harp (the Walters, Sonny Terry, etc.) was played on Marine Band harps. Now you understand why I recommend them for beginners.

  • @stick-itproductions.3307

    @stick-itproductions.3307

    5 жыл бұрын

    Oops. I may or may not have bought a harmonica with a Plastic Comb.

  • @healingleafwave6963
    @healingleafwave69634 жыл бұрын

    Great video but you over explane simplify things which i get because you want people to understand

  • @j.sabatino1198
    @j.sabatino11985 жыл бұрын

    Your Kung Fu is strong!

  • @borisnatashabaddonoff6919

    @borisnatashabaddonoff6919

    5 жыл бұрын

    It's Not Kung Fu It's More Like Tounge Fu .

  • @bobshuwab1988
    @bobshuwab19884 ай бұрын

    1.10 ad...

  • @ashqzaman
    @ashqzaman7 жыл бұрын

    i have an e-harp that i bought when i knew nothing about them

  • @WJV9

    @WJV9

    6 жыл бұрын

    Keep it, you'll need it for a few Eminor tunes or Emajor licks. I will also work in 2nd position B blues which you will encounter when doing jam sessions.