taking your time

[@garybrisky9116]

Perfect. I teach the same to my vocal, piano, and guitar students. Lil' Smokey Smothers teased a young man at Rosa's in Chicago many years ago. "Do you have sex like that?" "You get on for 3 minutes go real fast then look up and see if she liked it?" Then he went on to show his prowess with slow trills and tremolos, ending with "you gotta play like you are going to be up in here all night long". The inbetween I didn't dare write, but had the ladies screaming and laughing both. And he is right.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes! You're exactly right. That IS the lesson, as the old-school guys tried to communicate it.

[@KingfisherLtd]

Priceless words, which are useful not only in the context of music. I'm not a guitar/harmonica virtuoso, but taking my time to be better and better and feeling the groove.

[@jamestramontano8491]

I like to take my time to let the music flow and "breathe"..thank you..

[@Oddestmoose19]

This is great Gussow! I’m glad you’re still trying to tease out all your wisdom for the rest of us. It’s so good!

[@brianberlin]

I needed to hear this this morning (though a year after you posted it). Thanks!

[@jasonricci]

This was very beautiful Adam! Thank you as always my brave and wonderful friend. 6:33 is EXACTLY what the saying always felt like to me. We are all so blessed to have you with us in this world.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks, Jason. Somehow we've managed to hang in there, all these years later. Merry Christmas to you, Kate, and all those cats. Or is it just one Moon Cat? ;) Glad to know you, always.

[@jasonricci]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 love you big bro. I texted you the other day but I think you got a new number. I'd like to catch up. 💜

[@jobbible6338]

You're a very wise man Mr. Gussow.

[@colincampbell4261]

Good advice as usual Adam, thanks.

[@stephenkatko3236]

Helluva good lesson. Funny this came up in my feed cause I just worked on this very thing on an original tune my band does. My second to last rehearsal I was so gung ho on the song that I overplayed way to early...and proceeded from there. It didn't fit...or didn't serve the song. I broke it down to the simple melody, playing minimally, and ended up embellishing very little,but focusing on better tone and vibrato. Doing "less is more" but getting more out of less. Over 3 nights I refined my runs, and Saturday played exactly to the tune and tone of the song and singer. It was a few evenings of hard work and dissections but next gig I'll be very confident with what I have to lay down. Thanks for reiterating what I worked on all week. Great lesson.

[@JohnW-k1f]

Hi Adam, I, as a beginner on harmonica but a hobby player of a couple of other instruments over many years, greatly appreciate your sharing of knowledge with everyone. I especially dig the "one on one" feel of your teachings. Though I am much too old to have the time to become anywhere near pro level, I most certainly do have the "Feel" of the blues in my blood and soul. For me to finish out my time with late nights in a blues dimension of harmonica, bourbon and buddies, would be the ultimate send-off -- but I'll take my time getting there! You keep being you, brother. Thank you from the "harp"! John W

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You've got the right attitude and will definitely get there.

[@franciscojhernandezjr2414]

You are in the Groove of Teaching... Thank You for You, My Brother for keeping it Simple and Teaching with Your Heart... Be Blessed Bro... in JESUS NAME...

[@Irradius]

Great lesson! This music stays in my mind and makes me want to practice :D Thank you.

[@livingtheapocalypse8248]

Thank you so much for these harmonica/blues/life words of wisdom and strategies for better playing. You did a similar one on the importance of 'taking your time' from your porchway a few years ago which was the best advice for me then and still is now, you are a true inspiration

[@nomadranger2455]

I actually really enjoyed trying it myself. I used it to practice my blues scale in 2nd position.

[@peteaustin5327]

The best advice I ever got as a harp player by my Old mentor Tall Richard. He said you need to calm down and stay on beat. Nice lesson Adam !

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

He's correct. Good advice.

[@OmniphonProductions]

I recently broke a developmental plateau, thanks to a couple of videos by Howard Levy and Jason Ricci respectively. As excited as I am about that _Next Level_ development, I have _also_ realized, in the last couple of weeks, that developing my _technical_ proficiency sometimes comes at the cost of neglecting the _expressive_ elements of the music. Since realizing that, I've been consciously forcing myself to start _simply_ and build _slowly._ This lesson supports that effort beautifully...particularly your mention of _intentionally leaving space._ THANKS!!! Side Note: My martial arts journey has led me to realize that everything _on the way_ to Black Belt is just to lay a foundation, so you can _start_ learning the really good stuff! P.S. Once, at a workshop, I saw Lee Oskar, Magic Dick, Mark Hummel, and Jerry Portnoy all jamming together. Taking turns in the order I just listed, the first three all threw down their best licks for about four choruses each. Then, Jerry Portnoy locked eyes with Magic Dick, took a big breath, and hit the 9 Hole Blow...and held it for two full choruses! The _anticipation_ that built was...well...returning to the martial arts analogy, he knocked out everyone in the room (on stage and in the audience) with one perfectly placed, perfectly timed punch!

[@janpeters-jansongsproducti1010]

Yeah!!! Thank you Adam ✨

[@heiko6983]

Great topic Adam. Take your time and be yourself. Do transmit instead of perform. And smile to your music-like you do Adam😀

[@matthewhobbs3254]

I've been in a couple of bands in NC, and just moved back from Jax, FL... Already being recruited again as a rare instrument since I've been back, playing at open mics... I learned so much from your lessons about technique and embouchure... Guitar is easy, by comparison, and I say that because I've learned to play guitar... I couldn't give you enough appreciation for what I've learned from you... People meet me with a guitar, but I have to remind everyone that I'm a harp player, not a guitarist... Mad props, bro, for helping me and so many others!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks for your thanks. I'm glad to know I helped in that way!

[@r5yamaha]

Good principles... take your time, rhythm, and find spaces.

[@vicrattlehead8665]

I got recommended some of your old vids and ever since I’ve been binging a lot of your lessons and other vids, man these ain’t just any Harmonica lessons they’re straight up life lessons hahah. Got a little fender blues deluxe and toyed with It for a bit, after a few of your vids I got a Bb Hohner special 20, fast forward a few weeks I just dropped 90 on another hohner in c 😅 my early days have been very fun due to your videos. Taking my time is the best advice you can have as a beginner hahah, just starting off with being able to play the single notes clearly

[@Blue_3rd]

Another insightful video, thank you! The car was literally rockin’ during this one😊.

[@mikereckhaus1139]

You hit every issue I always encounter while trying to improvise. Great lesson, as always!

[@davidfriedman6224]

Very valuable lesson and demonstrations.

[@AaronKazmer]

Yet another fantastic video! Thank you so much for all your free lessons Adam! This video reminded me of our conversations in Dunnville Ont. a few years back, which was such a pleasure! All the best and thanks again for all your teachings and honesty.

[@ikust007]

Merci Adam !

[@Loulou-vs4xg]

Love your talent 😃

[@marieandersson6655]

To me, this was a very good lesson. Thanks a lot 🥰🥰🥰

[@FirstKickSeahawks]

I really needed to hear this today. Thank you 💕

[@dchurch911]

Thank you.

[@S.h-comma.to.the.top-Dynasty]

Hey Adam, I’m a beginner but I feel as though I’ve gotten into something of a rut lately. I started playing two and a half months ago. It feels like all I’m doing is playing simple melodies and I’m not really grooving. I’m working on my bends. They aren’t very good, but that’s to be expected for 2 months. I think my main problem is I don’t have a very good ear since this is my first instrument. What are some ways I can keep things fresh, and learn not to be so tab-dependent? I really want to eventually be able to improv 12 bar blues solos. Thanks!

[@DeliriumTr3mens]

Would you make a video of improvising non stop? Having fun, exploring the repetition with variations for a long time!!

[@PLT123]

As a drummer my existence is in the pocket. This makes total sense

[@nacoran]

I don't know the name of the short story... Irish I think, about landscape work. It was set doing landscape work at a rich man's house. The head groundskeeper had been working there for years. He'd never really talked to the owner except for 'do this, do that'. They always worked slow and steady. One day they had a new hire. He worked faster. They told him to slow down, but he didn't. At the end of the day the owner pulled the the head worker aside and had tea with him. It was his way of breaking the news to him that he was fired and that he was giving the young kid the job. Of course, the young kid only kept the job a few weeks. He was fast, but he didn't know what to do with that speed. You need to know which ones are flowers and which ones are weed. /Another short story, about a boss who kept pushing his farm worker to work faster. One day he went out to work with him to show him the pace he wanted. (Of course, he was only working for a short burst.) They were moving hay from the barn. The worker had had enough, so he worked full speed from above and left the boss buried under hay. It's interesting how many short stories I've read about pacing work. A few just within the musical context too. Important lesson. :)

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Great story! This little video ends with Mr. Satan's comment about time....relevant here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6SodmiCp86EodU

[@nacoran]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 Awesome! :)

[@jaciobe]

So C key needs a backing track of G ??

[@kdsquire99]

I've stolen so much from this guy over the years it's comical. TY for sharing.

[@JamesCoplan]

I took a stab at transcribing this, but I don't see a way to post it here.

[@danielhendy8169]

Good Stuff!!!

[@chickenman7252]

I believe building tension is the word you're looking for

[@edwardbrien311]

Great lesson...where can one get the rhythm tape you were using to play along...that was cool

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I'm pretty sure I got them from Pete Schmidt. Here's the page that came up right away when I searched "ultimate jam tracks." www.ultijamtracks.com/

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes! Here they are: www.ultijamtracks.com/samples/vol1/sample%20Medium%20Shuffle%20in%20G.mp3 and, to buy them, www.ultijamtracks.com/blues.html

[@javiersanchez2874]

Thx

[@funniestalexv]

Been thinking about buying a harmonica for past 2 weeks but the only thing keeping me away from doing it is that i know myselft and i would most probably give up

[@jaydjeffries]

It’s almost scary to devote time into something that you might just throw away. I’ve been able to play a few minutes practice five days a week. It’s worth this small effort for the improvements (in technique, knowledge) u will make. You gotta carve out those minutes though if you have a day job or some other things going on. Sounds like a drag but that’s all subjective anyway. Best of luck.

[@seedbankdkfrafrotilplante6342]

It is easy to start. But a used harmonika and get going. The good ones ate built so it is almost impossible for it not to sound awesome and be fun. Them you just play and build more and more to it. Check this 3 laver harmonika out. In this yiu cant get air.. insane but easyJet to play by design.. Have some great playing time m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZCvg4WpZbqEeMU

[@edwardbrien311]

What kind of application are you using?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I'm not sure I understand the question. I filmed the video on an iPhone 13 and edited it in iMovie on a Macbook Pro. I played the jam track on that Macbook, in iTunes.

[@18Yoav]

what if the music is fast

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Most of what I said still applies. Relax; leave space; remain in balance even (and especially) when playing intensely; fuse with the groove.

[@jantonisito]

Blues is sex. It takes finesse to do it right and build it to climax.

[@r5yamaha]

I've heard it called... call and answer....

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Or call and response. Yes. In fact, I'm going to do a whole video on call and response.