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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Sagamihara Blues (Inspiration for Beginners)
Sagamihara Blues (Inspiration for Beginners)
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Mr. Nellis
1 post
Oct 02, 2015
5:56 PM
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You may find this story unbelievable, but it's 100% true…
I am a Colonel in the Army with over 27 years of service; currently living in California. Two years ago I graduated from the Army War College with a Masters in Strategic Studies and as I sat back at my desk on the day after graduation I asked myself what I could do productively with my now vacated study time. I'd been carrying my harmonica around with me for about 30 years meaning to learn to play it for real, so found Adam Gussow on YouTube and his website where I enrolled in the Beginner's Special Deluxe lesson package. I have played almost every day since. As a bonus, I also think music is a good way to find some peace in my stressful life, out in my woodshed. I'd say I'm about a low-intermediate, but I had a big breakthrough lately that I wanted to share with anyone inclined to do the same.
Recently, I took my unit to Sagamihara, Japan on a military exercise. The Soldiers are all younger, so they headed into Tokyo on the train at night to have a good time. Me? Every night I walked down the street and looked for a different odd place for dinner. Unlike Tokyo, few speak English in this town and they don't often have menus in English, or even pictures. So, I usually order a beer to break the ice and point at a random thing on the specials board, never disappointed. One rainy Sunday, I was in a place owned and operated by a father, mother, and daughter. There were about 9 or 10 old Japanese guys at three different tables and I was trying to work through the ordering process with the waitress when the customer at the counter asks, "You like chicken?"
"Yes."
"Here. You taste." And he hands me his plate. I tried to refuse, but we couldn't communicate very well, so I gave up and ate. It was great, and I said so, but then he wouldn't take his plate back, so I ate the rest. Then, I joined him at the counter since I felt bad about eating his chow. So, he passes me another plate of unagi (eel) and tells me to try some again. It was the best I ever had, so I ordered one of my own and bought the guy a round of whatever he was drinking. This guy's name was Leo, he tells me, an engineer at Japan Thermal Company in Sagamihara.
All the old Japanese guys are wise-cracking and making jokes about my communication skills, I think. But they were pleasant enough, laughing it up with the owners and each other.
Leo tells me one of the guys at the far table is a musician who can play the guitar.
So, of course, I reached in my jacket and pulled out my harmonica. I had been looking for a place to practice and I carry it everywhere, as advised by Adam in his videos. This is the first time I've ever played in public, but I'm completely anonymous so there's no risk. I lay down a reliable song I'd been practicing: "Same Old Blues" and the crowd goes freaking wild. Ice, broken.
"Country Music!" they start yelling.
I only know about 15 songs, and they're mostly 2nd position blues, of course. But, the first song I ever learned was "Oh, Susanna" so I tried it out. They loved it! It reminded me immediately of the story Adam tells in the instructional video about, "One day you're going to be a in a bar when a bunch of ruffians say, 'You better play that harmonica, boy!' At least you'll have Oh, Susanna!" Ha! It worked! (Not the bunch of rednecks I expected though!)
Then, the owner whips out a guitar from behind the bar and gives it to the musician I'd heard about earlier. He starts strumming, so I played Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock." I figured he must know the 50s rock classics if he's a guitarist. He played along pretty well (or one of us did!) and we did a couple songs while I adapted my 12-bar blues and the people were clapping and cheering. Then, another guy pulls out one of those wooden Asian flutes, like David Carradine on Kung Fu, and he does his thing. It was really great, everyone sharing chow, making music, and buying drinks. Hardly any real talking at all (at least on my part). Probably one of the crazier things I've ever seen. Never thought I'd see the day: Blues Night in Sagamihara! Certainly never expected to be at the center of it.
I ate there a couple times before I left. They had some great sushi and I feel like I made great friends with the people, even though I never really talked to any of them at length.
Anyway, by now I've worked through the Beginner Special Deluxe, Advanced Beginner Special, Play Along Sessions, Intermediate Top-5 All Time Blues, and I'm into the Chicago Blues Classics. I really appreciate Adam's teaching style and I his new YouTube ideas (I'm subscribed!). I liked how he called it a "Teaching Ministry" and that spoke to me.
Thanks so much to Adam for what he does. He's made a hugely positive impact on my life. Hope I can see all you guys out on tour somewhere.
We love you, Tokyo! Good night!!
Last Edited by Mr. Nellis on Oct 04, 2015 8:38 PM
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Glass Harp Full
55 posts
Oct 02, 2015
10:50 PM
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That's a great story, thanks for sharing. It's amazing how music can bring people together.
I'm still a beginner but I should definately start carrying a harp around everywhere and taking risks to play with others, as Adam says in one of his new videos.
All the best with your harp journey.
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indigo
168 posts
Oct 02, 2015
11:57 PM
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Wonderful story Mr Nellis..had a similar thing happen to me years ago( in a way does the country matter? )but anyways it was in a small village in Bali.
Music is a universal language for sure.And yeah knowing some tunes like 'oh susanna' is the key to breaking the ice.
'course these days someone in the most remote village is likely to be able to play some 12've bar on their 50$ knockofff Strat.
It;s all good.
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jbone
2052 posts
Oct 03, 2015
3:07 AM
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What a rare and beautiful thing there! An experience like that can only happen under certain circumstances. All the stars and planets were aligned that night Mr. Nellis.
Thanks for sharing your experience. As a 40+ year player I have had some pretty cool moments but to bridge a culture gap that way is truly unique. I believe Indigo said it best, music can be a universal language.
Adam has made a really fine body of work here. I've been hanging around this forum for several years now and have had plenty of benefit, and also had opportunities to give back. I am not a technical player but I find my way very well with an improvisational approach. Mr. Gussow has always been an excellent host and has allowed many of us to find a bridge over the seeming gap between individual experiences and styles.
Thank you again Mr. Nellis. You have gotten my day off to a stellar start here!
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
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6SN7
577 posts
Oct 03, 2015
7:48 AM
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I have had similar experiences in the Czech Republic when I use too work there. Prague has a lot of very good blues guitarist, in particular, Lubos Andrst. Thats a great story.
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Mr. Nellis
2 posts
Oct 04, 2015
8:37 PM
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Thanks for the support and inspiration, friends.
Keep playing!
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Komuso
641 posts
Oct 04, 2015
8:45 PM
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Nice! Should have done a blues version of Sakura Sakura. It lays out well in 3rd position.
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Learn Harmonica Faster
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
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