My wife and I were at Hill Country Harmonica last month. Had the chance to see Adam and all of the players and coaches. Lot's of fun! Very well put together... real good flow! Want to do it again next year!!
Hey... Jason Ricci gave a class on, "The Three Most Bluesiest Notes On The Harmonica" and how they relate to the I IV V chords. He also went on to explain six more notes and how they connect to the original three. Outstanding class! I have been to a lot of workshops over the last 11 years and listened to a lot of coaches. Jason's class that afternoon was a true "Aha Moment" for me. I have tried to contact him to encourage him to make a YouTube video on that class but I cannot locate him. Been to Facebook, MySpace, his personal band website, etc. No luck. Does anyone know how I can get ahold of Jason? I want to encourage him to do that YouTube video!!!
He will probably read this and contact you. If not, I may see him tomorrow night, as he told me he planned on attending our club's monthly meeting. I'll tell him to check this thread out. ---------- Todd L. Greene
I would be very interested in hearing that as well! I'm still a little lost when it comes to what's best to play over each chord. Sounds like a cool lesson/approach.
Todd... thanks for the update. Yea... please direct him to this thread. That was a very eye-opening lesson and, like I said earlier, I am in my mid 50's and have been to a lot of workshops, camps, whatever... and I thought both what he showed us and how he explained it was perfect. Secondly, if you see Jason, let him know that "Big Al" is still interested in learning some harp that can be played with Zydeco music. Jason is living in NOLA now... not a better time to put some harp licks to Zydeco music than now...
I have tried contacting Johnny Sansone and Mel Melton about some help in the genre...but no response as of yet. Thanks!
Mel's probably too busy with the restaurant and such. Whenever I see him, he seems like there's 10 other things on his mind. Next time I'm in there, I'll ask if he's willing to teach online.
Big Al , are you saying that you want to encourage Jason to give away more free stuff? ---------- Free video harp tabs and backing tracks
Last Edited by on Jun 07, 2011 1:51 PM
Naw... no... not free stuff. As we all know, Jason is a full time musician. Contrary to popular belief, it is not an easy life. But I would love it if he did a YouTube video on that class he taught over at HCH on the bluesy notes.
Toddlgreen: Thanks for the head's up regarding Johnny Sansone. I am just trying to find a harp player who can give me some direction on how to play with Zydeco music.
12gagedan: That would be great if you were able to ask Mel...Thank you...
I spoke to Jason about this at HCH 2011 and he said that since he is living in New Orleans now... that he would check into it...
Last Edited by on Jun 08, 2011 10:38 AM
Hey Big Al , in case you din't get it: "Moon Cat" user that left a phone number in the post above , is Jason Ricci himself. ---------- Free video harp tabs and backing tracks
Thanks Guys and Gals... Bluemoose... Checked out both vids and although he covers some of basics of the I IV V... and sticking with the root notes of each chord... the lesson that he taught two weeks ago was, to the best of my understanding, a "blending" of several ideas all together. Hard to put into words. Seen a bunch of Jason's video over the years... what I am looking for may be out there... I will keep looking.
I actually recorded that lesson Jason gave and I concur on the ah ha moment. Actually Jason's teaching did that on a couple of occasions. He also manages to subtly weave in some wonkish theory without making your eyes glaze over. love that!
Moon Cat I am happy to send you a cd with videos of your teaching at HCH if you want them. You can edit / distribute as you see fit. They really were pretty stellar and could save you some work. Let me know if you want them and where to send it. pjensen AT aoicorp dot com
I can't figure out why there are 6 notes, i have 7 (9 and 2 duplicates) Basically, blue notes are flatten 3rd, 5th, and 7th of corresponding major scale. So for the second position on C harp they are: Chord I (G) - Bb Dd F# (3'/6ob, 1'/4'/7od, 2'/5ob) Chord IV (C) - Eb F# Bb (1ob/4ob/8', 2'/5ob, 3'/6ob) Chord V (D) - F Ab C (2''/5draw, 3'''/6',1blow/4blow/7blow) So then you play over chord changes those note sound the best if you minimise jumps. For instanse,from chord V to chord Iv a good move will be to play 2" and 2' etc. You don't have to play different scales for each chord but if you emphasise those notes it will appear like you know what you doing :)
That '3 bluesiest notes" talk would be a great lesson for folks to buy prepackaged and available on line through Paypal or something, then anyone could encourage Jason by just clicking.
So Big AL did you have any luck contacting him?
JASON ROCKS and here is one of my top 5 on line clips of him. It is soooo awesome, with such finesse and soul. Just thought I would share it with folks in case you hadn't seen it. I am deeply moved each time I hear it.
and thanks to all the folks on line here. This level of knowledge mixed with this level of generosity is quite amazing.
Last Edited by on Jun 09, 2011 9:01 AM
