I recently had a special request from a member of the US armed forces serving in Afghanistan: would I, or somebody from the forum, be willing to send him some of my lessons on DVD, and/or some recorded harmonica music?
I think this is a good service project for the MBH forum. I also think it's possible to leave politics aside and focus on what it means to be a solider on a dangerous and difficult mission.
If you're able to help, here's the info. I heartily endorse the idea of you burning some of my MBH lessons onto a CD-ROM and sending them to this guy. Because of military security, he's unable to access any of my stuff via the internet. (As you might imagine, the firewalls are huge):
Also, can he download a zip file instead of using snail mail? I can understand that Youtube is blocked but perhaps other ways of downloading are not...
I recently bought and cleaned up a Hoosier Boy Harmonica - like the one Adam plays in his tongue blocking youtube lesson. I read that Herb Shriner's family found a few hundred of these harmonicas in storage and sent them to Afganistan.
I have downloaded and saved lessons 1 to 60 inclusively so far...
I know there are a few "missing" lessons. One where Adam talked about primitive harmonicas and blew through a blade of grass (her removed that video himself) and I know of another one (lesson 099 I think) where he talks about Paul Butterfield and it seems it was removed by Youtube due to copyright issues. I found that lesson elsewhere. Does anyone else know of missing lessons?
Also, unless I hear from someone else, I will email him today and ask about the particulars - whether he can access one big zip file from a different website than Youtube.
I burned all of Adams youtube lessons (and then some) as well as a few of his Tradebit lessons (Adam approved via email). INcludes an index of most of the lessons.
I also burned a DVD of Jason Ricci's recent concert (Germany?) that is also on youtube.
Sending him all of Guitar Centers jam tracks as well as a few (quite a few) harp centric music spanning the decades as well as some jazz (thinking, WWBD = what would Buddha do?)
Also sent him a flv (youtube format) player that will play all video files.
Going in the mail today (6 data DVD's + Jason). ---------- Rob
Brother Felix will be receiving a comprehensive harmonica care package tailored for time in the Sandbox.
A few harps, some air in a can to blow out the dust, some fresh roasted coffee, some words of encouragement, and a voucher for a free steak dinner if and when our paths cross.
Good for you guys for supporting a brother in harms way!
My financial situation has been so tenuous for the past year I can't even afford a harmonica, almost lost my house. Things are finally starting to turn around and one day soon I will be able to contribute to Mr. Gussow and people like Felix!
This thread speaks to something in the harp mythos that drew me to choose this instrument - it's portability and accessibility, and great capacity to create so much from so little. ---------- There is nowhere to go and nothing to find, only something to create.
Shanester-Right there with ya-but I DID lose my house this past year, and almost everything other than what really matters-my family(and my harps!). We're bouncing back now.
As a 21-year National Guard retiree, I think it's huge what you guys are doing, and I commend you.
How about sending harps to cats who might want them? Brand new ones, that is, or harps that have been cleaned up, and are decent for a good cause. It might cause some problems when trying to be "quiet". My guess, when there is any free time, away from the "fight", it would be greatly appreciated. You know? Harps for soldiers? I probably have a couple I'm able to give away. How would this idea be implemented? perhaps have a central address where folks can send em (in the U.S), then, send em off to a designated contact/soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan....?
Fantastic! I'm a bit paranoid that what I sent will get lost between here and Afghanistan. Good to be coming at this from a few different angles. I also included a good chunk of the youtube lessons as mp3's
As I told SSgt Felix (Blu), this is the least we can do. My father fought in WWII (came home with an Italian wife), my nephew in the Gulf War and as a parent, I'd want folks like you to reach out to my kid if he/she were in Blu's shoes.
I mentioned to him that he will most likely get more than he asked for given the good folks on MBH.
My wife is already planning the next care package.
A quick public thank you to our own "Rbeetsme", who very efficiently got two new harps headed my way for inclusion into my 'care package' that will be enroute to young SSgt Felix in short order.
This is such a cool idea and I think we should work together to keep it moving.
I have several piedmonts and a couple of Jawbones that are just collecting dust. I'd be happy to get them out to a servicman out in the Sandbox. Do we know of any 'mailing list' to locate GI's who want harps? Does anybody want to do some work on these less than stellar instruments before they get sent?
---------- "Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
I returned from Afghanistan last year, my only regret now is not having lessons with me. Stay safe SSgt Felix and try to keep the sand out of your harps.
Gunner Robert Lewis 19th Regiment Royal Artillary
Last Edited by on Apr 14, 2010 5:23 PM
I think it's fantastic the way you folks have stepped up to the plate. I think that Modern Blues Harmonica may just have discovered something like a higher purpose.
we have been sending care packages from work. a couple every 2-3 months. besides the usual need items (toothbrush, chap stick, dental floss, eye drops,hard candy...) i usually toss in a couple of harps. i attach a short how-to note, my email and some internet sites for more information. i always wondered whether the harps get used and even how they determine who gets what.
My name is Blu Felix and I am a U.S. Marine currently serving in Afghanistan. I can't say enough about Adam Gussow for starting this thread for me and how greatful I am for those who sent me harps and lessons and musics. For those of you who have shared emails with me, could you please email me again so I can get your email address. I had to change servers so I lost all or your email addresses. This site has greatly increased my passion becoming a better blues harmonica player and from reading everyones post on this thread really gave me a burst of pride for what I do out here. Thank you all again very much.
Blu: Hey, thanks for showing up, and welcome to the forum. I'm glad we were able to help out. Keep the faith--and make sure you hit those bends, HARD, brother!
Don't know how "legal" it is or how Adam feels about it but I've been ripping all of Adam's YouTube lessons to .mv4 files (to play on my iPhone) I'm only up to 020 atm but would be happy to burn them to a dvd/cd if you would like.
Adam- My biggest problem is being able to play through a 12 blues cleanly. I just don't fully understand what to play through the changes. Keeping time and playing at the same time is kicking my butt. My bends are pretty solid on holes 1-6. 7-10 are a different story though. Nothing sounds good to me. Hey thanks again for all your help.
BadMan- I have almost all of adams vids thanks to Rob Poe and let me tell you they help alot. Not just in improvement but also in passing the time. Adam cracks me up in almost every clip whether he tries to be funny or not.
Strawwoodclaw- MP3s would be awesome. I can't get enough blues or anything with the harmonica in it. I've been listening to Little Hatch all day cuz alot of his stuff is slow and its a little easier to count the the 12 bar.
It will come. You say you're comfortable with your bends. So, the notes are there. Go with it. Step away from the Lessons and teach it to yourself. You have the ability.
This is probably counter to A-Gus' little revenue generator. But, it wasn't very long ago that listening was the only way you taught yourself harp.
Little Hatch is a great start.
And, just keep your damned head down and get back from that sandy shit-hole. Being at the wrong end of the range is no fun place to be. If I was a sniper, I'd sure as hell sight in on that horrible caterwauling coming from that tortured harp. It sounds like an exotic bird store is burning at that firebase.
Get home....come up to go flyfishing.....I told you the BBQ at my house is on me.
Vaya con head down.
---------- ~Buzadero Underwater Janitor, Patriot
Last Edited by on Jun 08, 2010 1:38 PM
Buz, you're killing me man. I about pissed myself. I do find that I try too hard when i try to follow a video or a song but if I shut everthing off and just start playing for myself I enjoy it and progress a little better. I sent you an email earlier this evening. I look forward to the BBQ and Jam Session with you. Take care buddy.
Tipping my cap to SSgt. Joseph Felix, Jr. (AKA Blu FlyHarp), and all of his fellow Marines, for defending this great nation. May you and your fellow Marines and all other servicemen make it home safely.
And for a little something to jam to I offer the folowing:
