Basic Cajun, Zydeco and Creole Style Harmonica

[@jasonricci]

All the dislikes are from Falcons Fans! Ill be sure to make my next video 28.3 min long just for yall. We Dat!

[@patrikduller8449]

I'm not American but I'm guessing that's a Super Bowl Joke, isn't it? :)

[@jasonricci]

@@patrikduller8449 Nailed it!

[@patrikduller8449]

@@jasonricci Ah cool. Hey by the way check this out if you want. Jim is not using any blow note and it's beautiful. A good exercise. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap2VXoeaerWZe8U&start_radio=1

[@Silk_OG]

Only 3 dislikes, so that accounts for over half the fan base.

[@chloerouge9882]

Thanks, great stuff ! Cajun style is not as covered as blues stuff ...always wanted to find out more and you just did!!!

[@johnnyace46]

Subscribed. I play Cajun accordion. I really enjoyed this. I used to have an accomplished harp player sit in with us when he was available and we were able to complement each other and jam on it. That was fun. I also play Bluegrass banjo and I often get to play with another harpist who can play country and bluegrass. Amazing how versatile the harmonica is.

[@Blue_3rd]

Just came back to review this great lesson. I wish I could hit the ‘like’ button again!

[@jasonricci]

Thanks YOU again!

[@jerryguy2845]

These just keep getting better and better! Love these Friday surprises!

[@alleycat-145]

Jason. Thanks so much for the great lesson on this subject. In fact, 3 gigantic standing ovations and cheers of appreciation to you. For all the years of giving yourself, your time, and tons of lessons for the bennifits of others in the harmonica world. Your harmonica playing and knowledge of all things harmonica is big ! But your heart is even bigger. Sincerely. 🥰.

[@hermanhynms7618]

This guy is top notch 👌 best harp teacher 👏 ever....Get it dude!

[@OmniphonProductions]

I also find that rhythmic tongue blocking on the 1-4, 2-5, and/or 3-6 Blow(s) is is an effective way to quickly "assert" the _full_ IV chord (for just an instant) _within_ otherwise Major Pentatonic melodic movement. Several years ago, while noodling, I stumbled across a Zydeco-influenced riff. As it I developed it, I found a melody that "drifts" between the Major Pentatonic _and_ Blues scales. Later, your advice (in a previous video) about tongue blocked octaves, helped me to really enhance that distinctively Louisiana sound. Thanks, yet again!

[@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes]

A rule of thumb is switch to blues scale on 4 chord or use it on DESCENDING riffs, don't use it on ascending riffs.

[@OmniphonProductions]

@@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes It's funny you should say that. For the most part, my Zydeco Blues tune just happens to follow that rule. I never really thought about it until your comment, but yeah. The melody/hook moves in such a way that descends on the IV chord so as to end up on the root note when the I chord comes back around. Of course, now that you've mentioned that rule, I'll have it consciously in mind for the solo verses. Thanks for the tip!

[@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes]

@@OmniphonProductions I'm a rhythm guitarist, singer & harp player. I mainly styled my vocals on classic 20s singers like Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie etc. Over time I realised there was a general rule of thumb pattern to their singing: 1st chord use major pentatonic, 4th chord use mixolydian with optional flattened 3rd note, 5th chord back to major pentatonic with major or flattened 7th. I also realised I was unconsciously using these note choices quite often in my harmonica playing. In pre WW2 blues the pentatonic major was the default scale of choice.

[@OmniphonProductions]

@@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes I, too am a rhythm guitarist, singer, and harp player (as well as a few other instruments). My vocal influences are quite a mixed bag of genres and generations. In addition to being classically trained with a background in Musical Theater, I would say my main Blues vocal influences are later Blues/R&B singers from BB King to Solomon Burke to Aretha Franklin to Shemikia Copeland to Curtis Salgado. They tend to rest a bit more solidly in the Blues Scale...though certainly _not_ 100% of the time. Regardless of all the genuinely fascinating Music Theory that can apply within _any_ vocal style, I often come back to _two_ lessons Jason has "leaned into" over the years. 1. Minor melodic movement sounds good over major chords, but major melodic movement sounds bad over minor chords. 2. Alternate between Major and Minor "Call & Response"...like the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other...to create tension and release. In that respect the 3rd is infinitely important because the Major 3rd fits beautifully within the 1 Chord, the flatted 3rd is the tension creating minor vii of the IV Chord, and the "blue 3rd" rides the line between tension and release...sliding in either direction depending on the bend. It's all so fun to explore. BTW, nice to "meet" you!

[@ScottMcCulloughBmax419]

I started learning this style of playing by playing along with Canned Heat's cover of Sugar Bee hundreds of times. Yet another example of Alan Wilson's mastery of the instrument.

[@santobrocato8012]

Coupe du Main. Thanks for the help Jason.

[@anbyeastbank319]

Was just listening to your track "Geaux Nuts Kids" off "beautiful slop" - great album BTW, and thought how is he doing that cajun groove? country tuned?...well you explained it perfectly! no special equipment, just mad skills as usual! thanks Jason.

[@jasonricci]

Thank YOU ❤️

[@kapiteintromp]

Love this MAN!!!THANK YOU

[@jimchumley2982]

I learned so much from just experimenting with rythms from the master of this THE GREAT SONY TERRY!

[@rhonabrack6672]

Thank you! Just what I needed as I'm preparing for a cajun-style harmonica gig.

[@alainnoel5048]

🤜🤛, thank Jason 👍👌... harmonicalement Alain 🖐️ Seine et Marne ( FRANCE 🇨🇵)

[@derekfrost8991]

Ici Limoges.. :)

[@rickycool100]

Great video Jason. A clear and concise introduction to the wonderful world of Cajun and Zydeco. Best wishes, Ricky.

[@jasonricci]

Thanks Ricky!

[@grizzled_yinzer]

It always amazes me how you are able to create these tunes and how you share with us the method of how to do it. Thank you

[@billsmithakasaltedpopcorn9095]

Excellent as always,

[@brotherrabbit8539]

This is exactly the lesson I have been looking for. I have been trying to figure this stuff out on my own but there is not really that much Cajun and Creole harmonica on records. This is excellent. Thankyou.

[@jasonricci]

Thanks Brother Rabbit!!! You rock!

[@threedogracing]

Very fun Mooncat, love it!

[@cre8iveone699]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and inspiring others 👍

[@mosfet51]

Thank you for the video.

[@MrFozinator]

Love Zydeco...We used to have Zydeco bands come to San Diego during Street Scene in the 90's

[@jasonricci]

Yeah you right!!!!

[@k.rock1016]

Hey J ! Thanks again for everything!

[@jasonricci]

We gonna skype again soon? Maybe sept when my schedule isnt nucking futz?

[@k.rock1016]

I would love that !

[@markarienti3109]

Awesome lesson Jason!

[@jamesmares4206]

Great lesson will jam out with one for while until I get it right

[@Fredyarmonica]

Thank You Jason! 😎

[@patricia_marcoux]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎶🎶🎶 Great moment!

[@garysellars8914]

This is magic stuff. J when are you doing more of the Pat Ramsey lick series? I've been working on those.

[@jonbeckleymorrisblues]

Hi Jason I find those auto valve harps fun for Zydeco/Creole music. Mine are broken. But I want them again. But, yeah it is also very fun to play that stuff on a Diatonic. Great lesson. I wonder if J's Honky Tonk in Clankton near Lafayette is still around? Jay Prudome, who's brother was Chef Prudome at K-Pauls in the Quarter, was the owner. A girl I knew in Lafayette brought me to see Clifton Chenier and his band play at J's one night in the Fall of 1983. Maybe you even know her--she's an artist sculptur in New Orleans--Jennifer Odem? Being in that Honky Tonk was a way different experience with "Cajun 2 steppers," dancing than seeing Clifton play any other place outside of Louisiana. The Maple Leaf always had Rocking Dopsie, and we played there as well before R.L. got better known. Hardly anyone came some of those times. Do you know how Terrence Simeion is? Many years ago in Sicily, and Northern Italy R.L. and I did a few gigs with them. Their rug board player was very cool to hang and play with. And, Terrence was complete class. If you're interested the last 2 videos I've put up on my KZbin channel Jon Beckley Morris-- are a couple R.L. Burnside stories. See ya out there somewhere on the moon. Always good hearing your thing.

[@mayhemglide2622]

Mooncat! You make playing the harmonica look much too easy…wish I woulda kept that Hohner Marine Band my grandmother gave me over 50 years ago! …might have to go out and get me one and start hangin here on Fridays!

[@jasonricci]

We need you here Mayhem!

[@mayhemglide2622]

okay…I’m gonna try this!

[@TheHarmonicaBarge]

yes yes yes!!!

[@gavink2518]

Hey, I wondered if you had heard this?! 😂 As soon as I started watching I thought of you!

[@TheHarmonicaBarge]

@@gavink2518 yeh it's great! I really like Jason's videos :)

[@terrysmith8704]

the big eazzy love it

[@tnysteph]

Great video.

[@TheRossocrociato]

Grazie molto interessante

[@davidfriedman6224]

Nice lesson. I got that draw chord, 2-5 and 3-6 blow right away; but when I tried the upper octave draw split my mouth got stuck in a permanent smile! Is there a cure?

[@jasonricci]

Haaaa!

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

Love that sound - it transports people to the happy place! Thanks for breaking down for us. By the way, what kind of person comes to a Jason Ricci free lesson, and then dislikes it? Either a total jealous loser or they were so stoked they couldn't control their fingers and hit the wrong button. Thanks Jason, how have your gigs be going? Any dates closer to northern Michigan? The Rosza center up here in Houghton has artists from all over the world.

[@jasonricci]

Hey thanks! All falcons fans disliking the vid haaa! So far nothing in michigan sorry struggling to find any work but ironically busy as heck atm...but down the road looks bleak peeps are afraid to book and plan now again unfortunately... Been a salvage year kinda... Thanks so much for following and really appreciate the kind words!

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

Jason, I have been playing since I was ten. I am 71 now. I never learned tongue blocking. It was unknown, back then, I think. But I am trying to learn it. I have consulted many videos online in the effort. It may be a case of an old dog in a rut, but my tongue just seems too broad. By the time I form a point, it is too far forward to keep a seal with my lips. Anyway, I just found this video, and being Quebecois, I naturally love Cajun and Zydeco. I have tried to play along in the past with varied success. I was playing along here while learning on my new Arkia Origin C. But damn, here's that tongue-blocking block I have. It may be impossible for me to ever get that split note sound. But here's my idea; What about a harp that is specially made with keys that replicate the splits? The reed plates would have to be made specially. What do you think? Do you think Hohner or Seydel might be talked into doing this? I will watch for your reply.

[@panhandlingray]

Thanks

[@santobrocato8012]

You got that accordion sound at 5:00 minutes.

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

Jason do you have any country tuned harps? I ordered 3 (C,D and A) today and I’ll tell you my thinking is it. They way I see it, I can bend the 5 hole draw down to get that b7 while having the m7 at my disposal to the lay melodies. Anyway I was curious if you had any and also if you had any lessons on them. I love this style of music taught in this video. Of course in Cincinnati we don’t have too much demand for it but I like to study all musical types. I’d rather be ready when I get called on To play a genre than to not know how

[@jasonricci]

I don't but I like them!

[@jacestephenweatherall1732]

Hey Jason, if you would like to play with any harmonica players in the world who are dead, who would you like to play with?

[@jasonricci]

Pat Ramsey again...

[@jacestephenweatherall1732]

@@jasonricci cool

[@jacestephenweatherall1732]

@@jasonricci who else aside from pat?

[@santobrocato8012]

Clifton is smiling his ass off this morning.

[@bobleach7313]

Bon Ton Roula!

[@jacestephenweatherall1732]

How’s life treating you? Jason my mate?

[@MrFozinator]

I'm gonna get this down as long as it takes

[@jasonricci]

You got this!!! The slowest way is the fastest!

[@Сергей-рвс1866]

Благодарим за урок ! Учиться никогда не поздно.

[@olegivanov73]

👍👋🙂

[@saschaschmidt1121]

💙😎👍

[@paulappletonharmonica3375]

😎🎶👑👍

[@baronstax]

Momma plays Zydeco harp better then you! And she makes mean pancakes2

[@jasonricci]

HAAAA! Damn Straight! She cooked me them this morning after a long night!

[@ryan-yu3qi]

Lol

[@patrikduller8449]

Badass style. Need to get into it a little more deeply. Maybe I'll get pancakes too then? :) Thanks, Mooncat!

[@bettygreen9254]

I am very animated....tnx

[@mattburke1945]

Haha, my moma played a sqeeze box... Good stuff J