Jagrowler
62 posts
Dec 03, 2011
7:39 AM
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Adam recently started a thread entitled ‘what is the real black blues today?’, and this encouraged my brain to whir into action. You see, I use the forum on and off, usually dipping in for 4 to 6 weeks before the cares of this world redirect my attention for some while until I return again. And in these weeks of following the threads and the banter I’ve noticed that Adam is up to something.
Now we all now Adam as a lover of life/ women/ hohner marine bands, but in amongst this bluff and bluster he regularly throws a real gem (something to inform and educate) onto the pitch (ie the forum) and points to the north star. Admittedly, the gem is often picked up and enthusiastically carried off in a vaguely south-west direction, but Adam does not seem to interfere. These gems are not about playing blues harmonica, but about understanding blues music in a much wider context. The thread about real black blues is a great example of Adam as blues educator, rather than harp teacher.
So, my question is this – does Adam have any contenders for the title of ‘King of the Blues Educators’?
If there are others out there who are actively encouraging the appreciation of modern blues music, then I for one would like to check them out. I look forward to any suggestions.
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HawkeyeKane
510 posts
Dec 03, 2011
8:23 AM
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My fellow Hawkeye, Michael Herman.
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Hawkeye Kane
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bluemonk
5 posts
Dec 03, 2011
9:12 AM
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Joe Filisko
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waltertore
1706 posts
Dec 03, 2011
2:49 PM
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Reading this post made me realize how lucky I was with my musical education. There were no blues teachers per say back then. I went to the clubs and sat at the feet of guys like junior wells, sonny terry, carey bell, james cotton, big walter. The bands were chock full of legendary players. They were our teachers and if you were inspired like me, you often ended up onstage with them, in their bands, or living with them. this happened with tons of guys for me like lightning hopkins, albert collins, sonny terry, louisiana red, roy buchanan, champion jack dupree, and others. I never paid a dime for a lesson. It was not the way. You handed it down via an apprentice like set up. I use to help sonny terry at gigs in NYC. He in return, played backstage with only me at his side. I lived with louisiana red and would help him with day to day stuff. These arrangements just happened naturally. there was no discussion of things. I will never charge a dime for my teaching services because when the right person comes along it will naturally have to be shared because both the student and myself are drawn together via souls, not cash. I am not knocking this new model, just realizing how lucky I was to have such great teachers and I will go to my grave carrying on this tradition. Walter
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" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
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Last Edited by on Dec 03, 2011 3:17 PM
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FMWoodeye
83 posts
Dec 03, 2011
8:06 PM
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I think my wife would have to get honorable mention, at least in a limited venue. She gives me the blues on a daily basis and facilitates the soulful expression in my playing.
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JInx
142 posts
Dec 03, 2011
11:02 PM
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If it's labels and titles that float your boat, then sure...Adam is the king of the modern blues educators. I guess we have to throw in "white" there too. King of the Modern White Blues. Actually "white boy" is usually used in these discussions, so then King of the Modern White Boy Blues Educators, seems appropriate. Hail to the King!
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Andrew
1492 posts
Dec 04, 2011
1:24 AM
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Adam is possibly the only one.
If you want "education", either study history and cultural studies at university or learn from life like Adam (in addition to his studies) or Walter. And stop reading the wrong newspapers! Most "educators" will just give you sound-bites that reflect their limited politically-biased outlooks. It's a complicated, contentious subject, and a view other than a rounded and well-informed (and sympathetic) one is likely to be dangerous.
Why do I always butt into these conversations?
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Andrew.
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The only good cat is a stir-fried cat. (ALF)
Last Edited by on Dec 04, 2011 1:27 AM
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Jagrowler
63 posts
Dec 04, 2011
1:26 AM
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@ DirtyDeck - thanks mate, good to know someone realised I was NOT talking about harmonica lessons (or lessons on any other instrument), but about finer points regards current blues music (as opposed to historical theories etc). And to think I was so careful in my original wording - I think it best if I go back to lurking out of sight!
@ Jlnx - whats your problem? I think Adam is a very good harp player and an excellent harp teacher (not all good players can teach well!). Colour does not come into the equation. My suggested 'title' was not to massage Adams ego (or float my boat), but to provoke some suggestions of others (probaly who play other instruments) who try and put across ideas beyond simply HOW to play. Again, colur does NOT come into the equation - or gender for that matter - or even sexuality.
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Jagrowler
64 posts
Dec 04, 2011
1:34 AM
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@ Andrew - missed your post because typing the above. Anyway, only used the word 'educator' as a way of promting some replies. Also used the word 'today' to try and indicate current as opposed to historical context. ie what people are playing this year and why, rather than in for example what was happing in 1964/ 1947 etc etc.
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HawkeyeKane
513 posts
Dec 04, 2011
8:37 AM
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@Jagrowler
I understood what you meant in the original post perfectly. That's why I said Michael Herman. He truly is a blues educator, and a damned good one at that. Good enough to receive the Blues Foundation's Keeping The Blues Alive Award for achievement in education.
http://www.hawkeyeherman.com/index.htm
Adam, I know that you know Hawkeye. Back me up here.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Greg Heumann
1363 posts
Dec 04, 2011
12:58 PM
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You guys conclude Adam is the one because this is his board and you likely found it through his videos. And he is indeed a fine teacher. But King, I'm not so sure. David Barrett is by far the largest publisher of instructional materials for harmonica, including many books, jam tracks, etc. He own and operates School of the Blues in San Jose and has taught students from all over the world through his Harmonica Masterclass company, which in addition to printed and recorded materials hosts harmonica classes all over the world . He now has a 3rd venture called BluesHarmonica.com that focuses on online eduaction. Dave has taught and certified other teachers, myself included. He is highly regarded by many, many students of all levels.
If anyone deserves the title "King" it would be him.
I don't think the title is necessary, though - both gentlemen, among others, have made a big contribution.
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/Greg
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Jagrowler
65 posts
Dec 04, 2011
1:12 PM
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@ HawkeyeKane - thanks for the update. I must admit Michael is a new name to me and I will check up on him (currently working through the Blues Critics Awards list that prompted my original question). Sorry I wasn't more forthcoming thanking you for your reply, but I was in a bit of of rush this morning! Perhaps Jlnx's 'hail to the king' comment made me rush off a response!!!
I think Paul Jones here in the UK recieved an award last year from the Blues Foundation (lifetime service or similar - Paul is a musician, singer and harp, and has also hosted a national Blues radio show for many years). Not quite what I would call an 'educator', but certainly a great ambassador.
Anyway, thanks for your time and suggestion.
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Tag
35 posts
Dec 04, 2011
1:35 PM
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I agree that there are better Harmonica teachers by sheer volume than Adam ( no offense). However, when it comes to the history of Blues harmonica or music itself, Adam appears to be a front runner. I haven't seen anyone (on the web) who explains the background and history of the music, rather than this is how you do it, better or even at all. I myself am just one of those DFW's who appreciates the history of what we are listening to and "attempting" to play.
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Joe_L
1660 posts
Dec 04, 2011
1:56 PM
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How about people like Billy Branch or Fruteland Jackson? They've been doing Blues In The Schools since the 1970's. Billy has taught thousands of kids the basics of the harmonica with his program. He started the whole Blues In The Schools thing. Back in the day, Billy would bring guys like Big Walter and Jimmy Walker to teach the kids and talk about their life experiences. After all, Blues isn't only about music, its partially about the challenges faced in life and its an African American tradition. Who better to teach that tradition than the guys that were there and those who they taught?
Blues In The Schools
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Dec 04, 2011 2:00 PM
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