BEGINNER through INTERMEDIATE. A QuickTime video tutorial by Adam Gussow of Satan and Adam that carefully explains an important basic technique that all developing blues harmonica players must master.

The 3 draw bend, which produces the "blue third" as well as the major second interval, is somewhat more difficult to produce than either the 4 draw or 2 draw bends. Many players either don't know what pitch they're trying for--they just "bend it" and hope for the best--or don't understand how to produce those pitches. Gussow explains everything, in the clearest possible language. Most importantly, he helps you understand why blues harmonica teachers who talk about the blues-pitch on the 3 draw as the "minor third" are making a small but crucial mistake--they're missing the quarter-tone inflection that makes all the difference. Little Walter, Big Walter, and Junior Wells know about this "blue third"; now you can too.

This video also gives you a series of exercises to help you consolidate and extend your technique.

harp key: C, with several additional demonstrations on an A and E harp

Note: a PDF tab for this lesson is also available

Running time: 38:25 (long!)

Another Modern Blues Harmonica production (www.modernbluesharmonica.com)