When I saw that Adam Gussow was doing a YouTube series on Magic Dick's Whammer Jammer I've got to admit that I had a Pavlovian response. I don't drool very often while awake but this was the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of harp instructional vids. You mean I can have Adam Gussow and Whammer Jammer? No way! Gussow is not only a world class harp player but a singularly effective teacher. As a Professor of English at the University of Mississippi, Gussow knows how to distill complex material into something that's easily digestible. He is that rarest of humans: A guy that can do and teach! Whammer Jammer, from The J. Geils Band's first album, is arguably the best known, and maybe the best loved, harp tune ever. Even people who hate harmonica love Whammer Jammer. And Adam Gussow was going to teach me how to play it. Yes, there is a God!
Alright, press play. Got my A harp, cool. 4 draw bent to 4 draw , my best move, very cool. Accentuate with a rapid side to side to tongue whip, pretty good at that too. At this point I sounded just like Magic Dick. 9 blow bent to 9 blow, 10 blow to 10 blow bent. Whoa, dude! What? Press Stop. I sat staring at the frozen visage of Gussow for the next several minutes feeling like I'd been betrayed. Kind of like your best bud giving you a wedgie in front the cheerleading squad. I thought AG and I were tight.
I know Gussow has made it clear that his vids aren't tailored for beginners but the casual air with which he delivered "9 blow bent" left me dazed. I've been purposely avoiding anything above the 6 hole like it was the aural equivalent of genital warts. On the other hand, maybe it's time to face my fears. It's 10:30 pm, my wife has a bit of a headache, so let's feverishly work the high end of the scale for next 20 minutes or so. SCREEEEEEEEAH! SCREE-EEE-EE-AAH!
Um, yes dear. Um, no this probably isn't the best time to be doing this. Right you are. Maybe when you're far away, certainly, dear. Whammer Jammer might have to wait.
Posts
15 comments:
Amazing what turns up when I google my name and "blog search." Very funny piece; I wanted more! Seriously, it's always been a challenge for me to figure out exactly where, on the talent-spread, to pitch my lessons. On my YT channel description I do, in my own defense, say something about how although beginners will find useful things in my lessons, they're mostly oriented towards intermediates.
But here's a quick tutorial on how to bend the 9 blow: it's all in the force you apply and the way you shape your mouth into the syllable "tweet!" or "twit!" or even "tweeeee.....!" The bend actually happens in the split-second where you transition from the "t" to the "w." The tip of your tongue, which has been flattened against the roof of your mouth, releases in a small burst of pressure--and the note bends.
"Whammer Jammer," though, uses a bent 10 blow, not just a bend (or scooped) 9. And the 10 blow on an A harp is much, much easier for beginners if they/you soak the harp for a few seconds in a glass of water. It destroys the harp, makes the rest of the notes hard to play, but that 10 will tweet and scream.
Happy trails.
--Adam Gussow
Adam, thanks for taking the time read the post and especially for writing an extended response with a free tutorial. I now know that at least four people have read the blog. One is my wife, who has an implied obligation and therefore doesn't really count. (By that, of course, I mean she doesn't count statistically! I think that covers my blind side). Anyway, that leaves you, the guy who had a legitimate question about J. Ricci and out-of-the-box harps and the crazy Portugese guy who dropped me a boilerplate message explaining why I should click on his ad links. Honestly, it's kind of humbling for a guy who's been playing for about four months to have one of the best weigh in. I know a guy who writes a surfing blog and if Kelly Slater dropped him a comment I'm sure the effect would be similar. Thanks again. Mike
PS I love the YouTube stuff. Even when the lesson is beyond my skill level I'm able to walk away with something useful. I like pushing myself anyway. What was it that Browning said about a man's reach?
Nice blog you got here. It would be great to read a bit more concerning that matter.
BTW check the design I've made myself Companionship in London
play-harmonica-blues.blogspot.com is very informative. The article is very professionally written. I enjoy reading play-harmonica-blues.blogspot.com every day.
payday loan bc
online payday loan
It is extremely interesting for me to read that blog. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything connected to them. I would like to read more on that blog soon.
Alex
Cell blocker
I inclination not approve on it. I think precise post. Particularly the appellation attracted me to be familiar with the sound story.
Good post and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you for your information.
[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
No More Sluggish Downloads Using NZB Files You Can Quickly Find HD Movies, PC Games, MP3 Albums, Software & Download Them at Electric Speeds
[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Usenet Search[/B][/URL]
Aside to pass the mutation with two backs casinos? filter this unformed [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] commander and convey away up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also into our blooming [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] baedeker at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and farther ahead licit compressed dough !
another unsurpassed [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] conspire is www.ttittancasino.com , during german gamblers, call on upon via unrestrained online casino bonus.
Making money on the internet is easy in the hush-hush world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat ppc[/URL], Don’t feel silly if you don't know what blackhat is. Blackhat marketing uses little-known or misunderstood methods to generate an income online.
Rather cool blog you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.
Bella Simpson
It was certainly interesting for me to read this post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.
Hilary Hakkinen
It was extremely interesting for me to read that post. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon.
Anete Swenson
luxus escort service schweiz
[url=http://mov55.com][img]http://www.fullmoviesw.com/images/fullmovies.png[/img][/url]
Work in progress Mainly feature length films. Most non English-language films listen to မင္းဆုံးျဖတ္, မင္းဆုံးျဖတ္ watch, It seems that Russia may be a lot cooler and more tolerant than I could have free full length new movies online, watch new movies online, . 26 Feb 2011 . For most sites that allow you to watch movies online, you will have . Watch [url=http://mov55.com/]2010 movies[/url] 11 Jan 2011 . Buy Watch Movies weblog. RSS. Home · 关于 · don't look down (no . Category. watch on YouTube or download a high-resolution version: with subtitles. . movies and videos, and even sing your favourite songs are the top reasons why She said that she would like to watch movies at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Forums > AVIATION CULTURE > Disaster movies about aircraft accidents ..
[b]Among Dead Men
The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires
Hands Of Steel
2012: Supernova
Conspiracy Theory
The All Together
Law and Order
Yo Gabba Gabba!: New Friends
Adam Resurrected
Skipped Parts
The Other Side of Heaven
MacArthur
In the Mouth of Madness
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher
My Daughter's Secret
A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Chris Rock: Bring the Pain
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Black Moon
[/b]
top [url=http://www.001casino.com/]casino online[/url] hinder the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]free casino[/url] autonomous no set aside hand-out at the leading [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]bay anticipate casino
[/url].
Post a Comment