I wondered what he meant by “unmodified.” Thunky fing is a good project for me. I lost a lot of steam for the harp, youtube has hooked me up with fellow harmonicists, and harmonica players need harmonica buddies. OH, Adam plays guitar. A guitar will ask so little and offer so much all your life. I learned 6 open chords in about 3 months, thats enough to play 10,000 songs, but like I say, I learned guitar to become a better harp player.
In “Thunky Fing”, the 5 overblow is a tuffy. I’m working on this overblow myself… gotta get the reeds adjusted just right (both 5 blow and 5 draw) reeds, then there’s finding the ‘K’ spot in your throat. Adam is now giving tips on how to setup your harp’s reed gaps, etc… Stay Tuned to Adam!
Lots of blues songs in E because open E is so easy to play on guitar. Oh, Adam Gussow is THE BOMB! I’ve been playing for 35 years and had lost my way until I watched him. The next song I post may well be Thunky Fing. I downloaded it and will play and practice it tirelessly until I get it;)
You can use your ‘finger counting’ method to figure out 3rd position. You just have to do it twice–1st for 2nd, then starting on the 2nd position key, count 4 fingers again… that should give your 3rd. The circle of 5ths makes it all easier, especially if your harps are stored in your gig case that way. You can keep a cheat-sheet in your wallet. You can even buy a wrist watch that uses the circle of 5th notes instead of numbers. You will eventually memorize (learn it).
Use your D chromatic in 3rd position to play a song in the key of E… has a nice minor sound to it! Lots of blues songs in key of E. The chromatic is easier to play in 3rd than a 10-hole diatonic harp. Check out Adam Gussow… learn the blues scale notes in 2nd and 3rd positions.
Yes, if guitar was in Ab, use a Db harp for 2nd position. Slant (3rd pos) harp is pretty cool… most harpers use a C chromatic to play in 3rd pos for Key of D.
For some cool 3rd pos, YouTube search for Adam Gussow (from “Satan and Adam”), now giving YouTube harp lessons. Check out his ‘Thunky Fing’ lesson 011,012,013. He has me wanting to learn the 5 Overblow!
No, I don’t play guitar… I would like to learn, but there’s always so much to learn on harp, even after many years. Maybe when I retire and have more time to take guitar lessons.
You can do Neil Young… I’ve watched your videos. “Helpless” is a great NY song.
Someone asked me to cover some Niel Young, but I don’t straight harp, and slant harp is just plain crazy. Do you play guitar? You sound technically smart. I learned enough guitar to be able to talk to guitar players. If you were in A flat, would’nt I use a d flat? If that does’nt exist, I would think maybe an E sharp, if THAT does’nt exist, I can only hope SOMEONE has a capo.
That works! What if the key was Eb? If harps are layed out in the circle of 5ths & the song is in A & play in 2nd position, you count counterclockwise (or left), starting with A, 1, 2 (2nd pos) & end up on D.
For 3rd position, starting with A, you count 1, 2, 3 (3rd pos) and end up on G, etc with all positions (even if you don’t all these positions). 3rd pos. is quite nice. You don’t really have to memorize.
This leaves your fingers for grabbing a drink of water or beer!
To cross harp I count from my forefinger to my pinkey. If the forefinger is “A,” middle and ring are “B” and “C,” so the pinkey is “D.” G a b C, C d e F, it’s been a handy tool to me for many years.
You proably already know the ‘circle of fifths’, if you play cross-harp (2nd position), and helpful if you want to play other positions. Its as easy as printing a chart… basically looks like a clock, only with 12 notes instead of numbers. Perfectly suite for the layout of your gigcase, with the center open for a microphone/cable.
I never learned about the circle of fifths. I have AD/HD, manic depression and OCD, so everything I learn has about a 10 minute lifespan:( Thank you for your input, though. And yeah, that thing could tell some stories…
I use to keep all my harps in one of those leather shaving kit bags (what a mess!), then upgraded to a fancy Fender harp case. I found it is best to arrange your harps in order by the ‘circle of fifths’ so you can jump to the right key/harp/position.
I also made a nice gig-case using an inexpensive aluminum tool box with foam inserts, and added a detachable mic stand.
18 comments
This is my favorite video of yours. I dig your sentiment towards the instrument.
I started out as a makeup case heading for the trash, now it has a legacy. I’m putting it on E-Bay before I die, I want it to have a good home. NTJ
hey that box has alot of history.
Good stuff my friend.
Jeff
I wondered what he meant by “unmodified.” Thunky fing is a good project for me. I lost a lot of steam for the harp, youtube has hooked me up with fellow harmonicists, and harmonica players need harmonica buddies. OH, Adam plays guitar. A guitar will ask so little and offer so much all your life. I learned 6 open chords in about 3 months, thats enough to play 10,000 songs, but like I say, I learned guitar to become a better harp player.
In “Thunky Fing”, the 5 overblow is a tuffy. I’m working on this overblow myself… gotta get the reeds adjusted just right (both 5 blow and 5 draw) reeds, then there’s finding the ‘K’ spot in your throat. Adam is now giving tips on how to setup your harp’s reed gaps, etc… Stay Tuned to Adam!
Lots of blues songs in E because open E is so easy to play on guitar. Oh, Adam Gussow is THE BOMB! I’ve been playing for 35 years and had lost my way until I watched him. The next song I post may well be Thunky Fing. I downloaded it and will play and practice it tirelessly until I get it;)
My computer’s desktop image is actually a jpg file of the ‘circle of 5ths’. I reference it alot while on the computer.
You can use your ‘finger counting’ method to figure out 3rd position. You just have to do it twice–1st for 2nd, then starting on the 2nd position key, count 4 fingers again… that should give your 3rd. The circle of 5ths makes it all easier, especially if your harps are stored in your gig case that way. You can keep a cheat-sheet in your wallet. You can even buy a wrist watch that uses the circle of 5th notes instead of numbers. You will eventually memorize (learn it).
Use your D chromatic in 3rd position to play a song in the key of E… has a nice minor sound to it! Lots of blues songs in key of E. The chromatic is easier to play in 3rd than a 10-hole diatonic harp. Check out Adam Gussow… learn the blues scale notes in 2nd and 3rd positions.
I have a “D” chromatic, what key is that good for? I can’t make 3rd position work for me, and first position has a 4 hole range as far as I can tell.
Will check out the suggested…immediately, thanks for the 411;)
Yes, if guitar was in Ab, use a Db harp for 2nd position. Slant (3rd pos) harp is pretty cool… most harpers use a C chromatic to play in 3rd pos for Key of D.
For some cool 3rd pos, YouTube search for Adam Gussow (from “Satan and Adam”), now giving YouTube harp lessons. Check out his ‘Thunky Fing’ lesson 011,012,013. He has me wanting to learn the 5 Overblow!
No, I don’t play guitar… I would like to learn, but there’s always so much to learn on harp, even after many years. Maybe when I retire and have more time to take guitar lessons.
You can do Neil Young… I’ve watched your videos. “Helpless” is a great NY song.
Someone asked me to cover some Niel Young, but I don’t straight harp, and slant harp is just plain crazy. Do you play guitar? You sound technically smart. I learned enough guitar to be able to talk to guitar players. If you were in A flat, would’nt I use a d flat? If that does’nt exist, I would think maybe an E sharp, if THAT does’nt exist, I can only hope SOMEONE has a capo.
That works! What if the key was Eb? If harps are layed out in the circle of 5ths & the song is in A & play in 2nd position, you count counterclockwise (or left), starting with A, 1, 2 (2nd pos) & end up on D.
For 3rd position, starting with A, you count 1, 2, 3 (3rd pos) and end up on G, etc with all positions (even if you don’t all these positions). 3rd pos. is quite nice. You don’t really have to memorize.
This leaves your fingers for grabbing a drink of water or beer!
To cross harp I count from my forefinger to my pinkey. If the forefinger is “A,” middle and ring are “B” and “C,” so the pinkey is “D.” G a b C, C d e F, it’s been a handy tool to me for many years.
You proably already know the ‘circle of fifths’, if you play cross-harp (2nd position), and helpful if you want to play other positions. Its as easy as printing a chart… basically looks like a clock, only with 12 notes instead of numbers. Perfectly suite for the layout of your gigcase, with the center open for a microphone/cable.
I never learned about the circle of fifths. I have AD/HD, manic depression and OCD, so everything I learn has about a 10 minute lifespan:( Thank you for your input, though. And yeah, that thing could tell some stories…
That harp case could tell some stories!
I use to keep all my harps in one of those leather shaving kit bags (what a mess!), then upgraded to a fancy Fender harp case. I found it is best to arrange your harps in order by the ‘circle of fifths’ so you can jump to the right key/harp/position.
I also made a nice gig-case using an inexpensive aluminum tool box with foam inserts, and added a detachable mic stand.
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