In the current MBH email, Adam describes his new YouTube Channel. If you don't get the newsletter, you can see it online https://t.e2ma.net/message/5g99k/hujg3e
He says the motive behind the new videos is to address the things that the other teaching materials don't. "Not just the how, but the why and because of blues harmonica--the stuff that experienced players soak up as a byproduct of a life working on the bandstand and busking in the streets."
I have teaching materials from the popular authors and they are excellent. But, for me, there was definitely some important stuff that was missing from them, or not emphasised enough. I've been slowly filling in the gaps myself.
My list of 'missing bits' may be different to yours, and to Adams, so I'm interested to see how this develops.
Here's one video on 'Basic Juke Joint Harp'. Filmed, it seems, in a concrete square full of Portaloos (or whatever they are called in the states).
One thing I notice from these new videos is Adam's handheld camera technique. So of course that means he can only hold the harp with one hand, so no hand effects. I've noticed that when you want someone to congratulate you with 'Good Tone' (the ultimate praise) a player does the big hand effects or just clamps down to give that standard compressed sound. What I like about these videos is that Adam doesn't do that - it sounds just like a naked harmonica. Loud and proud. Not a muted trumpet or a sax or oboe or whatever, a harmonica.
What do you think?
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Oct 03, 2015 3:19 AM
Ah yes MTG, i watched that video last night and thought it was great. I laughed at the portaloo's as well! Another thing i liked was Adam saying about not copying anyone but kinda soaking up the essence of a lick or solo or whatever. I find that after learning a rhythm part or something from adam's videos i then tend to improvise on it and alter it here and there as i feel it.
I think that's a good technique. Sometimes i think we can get obsessed about playing something exactly the way someone else does and it causes much frustration when we can't imitate their sound. Everyone's embouchure is different so exactly aping someone else's sound probably isn't 100% possible anyway.
...and that, people, is how you play the 'Loos. :)
I'm not sure I care for handheld camerawork in general, but it is good to see Adam get out of the car occasionally.
What I do find impressive is the clarity of the audio, especially considering he's filming outdoors.
Good to see him trying to find a niche of sorts. Sometimes it feels like YouTube is somewhat saturated. ---------- Forum Search Direct Link
Last Edited by Harmlessonica on Oct 21, 2015 4:30 AM
You guys are quite right that I've switched, in these new videos, to hand-held. This should be disabling, since it prevents me from holding the harp in my usual cupping-water two-handed grip, but instead it feels terrifically liberating. It's freed me to take a walk, almost like a strolling TV personality. It keeps things dynamic: at any moment I can do anything with that camera. I'm sure I'll tire of it at some point, but for the time being it feels fresh.
