Top 4 Muddy Waters Riffs on Harmonica
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
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Originally from Mississippi, Muddy Waters moved to Chicago in 1946 in order to make records. When asked how his music changed when he moved to Chicago, he said:
It’s still the Mississippi blues. It’s called the city blues, but it’s still the same thing. Only thing I learned was a little tricks…a little slicker, a little smarter, but it’s still the same thing.
So “Chicago Blues” could accurately be described simply as electrified Mississippi delta blues. For Muddy Waters, life in Mississippi was hard: “I wasn’t no slave, but I wasn’t free.” At age 8 he started working on a plantation picking cotton.
Do you know Muddy Waters’ first instrument was?
THE HARMONICA
Muddy Waters played Harmonica for 10 years (ages 7-17) before switching to guitar.
Maybe that’s why he always hired the best harmonica players for his bands.
So many of the best blues harmonica players have either gotten their start in his band, or played with him at some point in their careers. It’s a literal who’s who:
Little Walter
Junior Wells
Big Walter Horton
James Cotton
George “Harmonica” Smith
Paul Butterfield
Carey Bell
Jerry Portnoy
And that’s just to name a FEW! It’s impossible to overstate the impact that these harmonica players have had on the role of the harmonica in blues music in the 20 century. Let’s check out the riffs that have inspired a generation of harmonica players:
#4 Rollin’ & Tumblin
A Delta blues standard First recorded by Hambone Willie Newbern in 1929, followed by the great Robert Johnson in 1936, it was Muddy Waters electric versions of the song, first recorded in 1950 that would go on to inspire Rock groups like Cream to cover it.
#3 Baby Please Don’t Go
Another old Delta blues song, originally popularized by Big Joe Williams in 1935, The Muddy Waters electric versions first recorded in 1953, are the ones that inspired covers from Van Morison, AC/DC, Aerosmith and countless others.
Played on an A harmonica in 2nd position in the footage James Cotton playing with Muddy and the Rolling stones at the Checkerboard Lounge in 1973:
-2 -3’ -2 -3’ -2 -2
-2 -3’ -2 -3’ -2 -2”
-2 -3’ -2 -4 -4’ -3’ -2
-2” -1 -2” -1 1
-2 -34’ -34’ -2 -2” -1
-45 Trill
#2 Hoochie Coochie Man
This classic riff has become a staple in blues and rock music. Written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters in 1954, this song has been played in two different positions on the harmonica over the years.
First Position
Hoochie Coochie Man has often been played in 1st postion. In the first clip, for example, it’s played on a G harmonica in 1st position.
Tabs: -2’ -2 -3’ 3 -3’ 4
This provides great practice on getting that tricky -3’ bend in tune.
Second Position
And then Hoochie Coochie Man has also been played many times in 2nd Position, like James Cotton does on a C harmonica, in the clip from the same 1973 concert with Muddy Waters and the Rolling Stones at the Checkerboard Lounge.
Tabs: -1 -2” -1 -2” -2
This provides great practice on getting the -2” bend.
#1 Mannish Boy
Here’s how this all went down:
In 1954 Willie Dixon road “Hoochie Coochie Man” wich inspired Bo Diddley
In 1955 Bo Diddley wrote and recorded “I’m a Man” one of his first hits
In 1955, after that, Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters co-wrote “Mannish Boy” with Mel London, as an answer song to “I’m a Man”
While the lyrics aren’t lacking in sexual innuendo, there was also a clearly understood social and political message at the time. In the South, prior to the Civil Rights movement, an African-American man would not be referred to as a “man” but instead as “boy.” You can hear Muddy’s assertion of manhood in the face of this racism: “I’m a maannnn.”
In the clip of Muddy Waters doing it in 1978 with the great James Cotton, it’s is played on a D harmonica in 2nd position, key of A.
If you’re a total beginner, here are easier tabs -23 34 23 -23 -12. I go over this very slowly in my Beginner to Boss course.
If you’re intermediate or advanced, check out Joe Filisko’s Mannish Blues Study Song:
www.filiskostore.com/product/...
Thanks for joining me to check out Muddy Waters best blues harmonica riffs. Keep on playing the harmonica, and making the world a better place.
ALOHA,
Luke - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Hey Luke😀 Thanks for Your cool, and helpful videos and the good vibes You are transmitting🙏🏻
Glad you like them Heiko! Good vibes only 🎶!
Yea, great stuff ! Thanks for being so awesome! That’s really nice of you to share and explain and even include the holes to play along for those of us with a harmonica.
Right on. Glad you like the video. Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it!
Thank You very much for compiling this! Love it!
Glad you like it CHARLIE!
This awesome video is truly inspirationally. These are the kind of riff's us newbies picked up a gob iron in the first place, trying to emulate our musical heroes, keeping the blues alive. Thank you🙂
Right on Ben. Inspiration is the KEY. 😎 SO GLAD you dug the vid. Let's keep the blues alive bro.
Awesome content. Thanks for sharing. Keep ‘em coming, Please.
Thanks, will do, Charles!
That's Mojo Buford at the Checkboard Lounge with Muddy, not James Cotton.
Hey Called - dang! Thank you so much for the correction! 🙏🏼
Correct! Great video though. Once muddy when electric I reckon he knew the value of having a harmonica player in his band.
Kalled Ashour - Ha ha, these experts...
Fanstatic info ... really helps play and emulate some of this stuff. Love your enthusiasm.
Glad to hear it! Rock on! 😎
Excellent video!
Hey thanks Adam! I'm honestly starstruck to hear from you. Been watching your videos for like 20 years! You're the MAN! 🙏🏼🎶
The most and juicy eficient parallel TEACHING AND REDISCOVERY of the most oi importante crossmentors blues Rockers of ALL times. WHAT a synchonicity Power to teach and indulge into oiur ídols pop Masters !!!
Rock n Roll. 🤘🏼
I learned by reading the tony Glover Harmonica book in the 60's. Butterfield was and is my fav.
Right on. Roly Platt has a course on Butterfield. His stuff is usually pretty awesome, so I'm thinking of checking it out at some point.
Thank you mate !!
Glad you liked it!
Nicely put together
Well done
Muddy Waters the London Sessions are my all time favourite Vinyl
A harp player
Right on Andy. Glad you dug it. Thanks for the note bro. 🎶😎
You and l both my friend. 😂
Thank you 🙏
You’re welcome bro 😊
The concert with the Stones at The Checkerboard was actually in 1981, September. I was there, just standing out in front. But thanks for the Mannish Boy tab. I am always a bit off.
So cool! Yeah there were 2 Checkerboard lunge tours.
Espectacular
Thank you!
BRAVO BRAVO C ' EST EXCELLENT .
Merci Calude!
A great bit of important information for us here at 4.02 about using our ears.
I think when we learn anything that's been written down we should play it with our'ears' else it may sound too ....'.can't think of the right word', but ya know what i mean. thanks for the Vid Luke.
Yeah I know exactly what you mean - sound too mechanical and not full of soul and emotion like music ought to be. 🙌🏼 The there things we need to develop as musicians: EARS. EARS. EARS. 😉
Hell yeah rad video
Right on Daniel!
Oh boy ... Luke... you're fantabulous
Thanks ananda. Good to see you. I appreciate the note.
thank you very mutch.
You are welcome!
@@Harmonicacom it 's honor for me.thanks🇩🇿
Great compilations Luke But Where's The Late Great LIL WALTER? King Of The Pac!!!! 🤗
✌️👍👌🎶🎷thanks your good 👏I’m learning 👂
Great to hear Peter! Rock on! 😎
Cool!
Righteous.
Sugar Blue does a Smokin version of Hoochie Coochie Man...Look it up on TH-cam.
Yeah Jo I've watched it MANY times. One of my favs!
HI! thanks for this compilation and playing tips. I seem to have heard you date the checkerboard performance of 1973: it's 1981, as stated on the DVD jacket. The Stones weren't that ready in 1973. IMHO.
There were 2 performances there. The video one here is 1973.
Love you luke
Love you too. 😎
❤ the video
Thanks Todd!
Luke, so many great riffs to chose from, however, I think you should expand the list to the Top 5 and include Cross Eyed Cat.
🤣 Yeah, David - Crosseyed Cat definitely is one of MY favorite Muddy riffs! But it's not nearly as well known as these riffs, plus I've already taught it in other videos. (I'm guessing you've seen it?)
@@Harmonicacom Yes, it always puts a smile on my face to play that one!
Luke. I like this vid, and your presentation of the subject matter.
Sad the late great Paul Oscher was missed. But, I won't hold it against ya. 😀.
Paul, I believe, from what I've read "passed away in 2021-complications from Covid."
He was an amazing muscian. He bequeathed to us music lovers an incredible body of music.
His time with Muddy is a small portion of his incredible muscianship.
Too many of his songs/ renditions to pick a favorite. You know what that's like trying to just pick 1 or a few songs or muscians.
For those interested in Paul Oscher just enter his name on TH-cam.
Hey, Luke it would be cool if at some point you did a type of learning video on his style, phrasing, etc, like you have done with your Muddy Waters one here.
Anyway keep up the great work. Your always interesting, and harmonica/music educational. 👍.
It's Paul Oscher in the Hoochie Coochie Man Video with Muddy.
Great vid. However the Checker Board Lounge show was in 1981 I think. But good info. Been listening to him and The Wolf and countless others for years. The Stones turned me on to old Blues in the 1970s. Son House Big Bill Broonzy Charlie Patton Sister Rosetta Tharpe Bessie Smith and so so many others.I saw Pine top Perkins and also Honeyboy Edwards ( he played with Robert Johnson) at the Montreal Jazz fest in the 1990s. It was magical seeing those guys. Keep up the good work keeping the blues alive cause the only way to beat the Blues is to play the blues. Peace.
Great stuff John! Thanks for sharing all this. Yeah God bless the Stones for turning America on to American blues, lol! I love all the artists you named. The date of these Checkerboard Lounge vids is accurate, but they did it more than once!
This is a great video and thanks for sharing it!! I have to correct a couple of things though. It wasn't James Cotton in those two clips from the Checkerboard Lounge with the Stones. It was Mojo Buford who played with Muddy before and after Jerry Portnoy's run with the band. And, it was Paul Osher, not Jerry Portnoy, in the other clip. Regardless, all were great blues harp players.
Yes Roger that Paul. So sorry for those errors! Thanks for watching.
nice
Thanks
Love muddy when he's got Jerry portnoy and the boys playing with him!!
Me too Scott!!! 🙌🏼
Been hooked on your channel for a couple of weeks. Bought your course and play everyday. Thanks so much, but I think your editor forgot to insert the video thumbnail so you're pointing at nothing.
Awesome, thank you so much for telling me that! Just got it corrected. VERY VERY much appreciated. 🙏🏼 So glad that you're digging the course and that you're playing EVERY DAY!
A Great Video. It was The Late Great Paul Oescher in the Hoochie Coochie Man Video with Muddy.
Aw man. So not only did he not get mentioned, I didn't give him credit for what he did! I didn't think that looked like Jerry Portnoy, but I couldn't find anyone to tell me who it was!
Luke-Still a Great and useful video. Paul was a force of nature and a true Bluesmen. He lived at Muddy’s House part of the time he was in the band. Paul’s last CD was “Betting on the Blues.” I encourage you to check it out. Paul passed during the pandemic
PS Are you Kona based? I lived Big Island many years, was one of the Board members of The Hawaiian Blues Society and opened for the Muddy Waters All Star Band @ The 1997 Hawaiian Blues Festival among many other gigs
Pretty sure that’s Mojo Buford on “Baby Please Don’t Go” and the 2nd position “Hoochie Coochie”
Yes, Mojo Buford always wore that leather harp holder angled across his chest. I have never seen James Cotton (of course that was obviously not James Cotton anyway) wear one of those. Also, not George Harmonica Smith either (he looks closer to Mojo than Cotton anyway. That's my take as a 48 year harmonica player who was full-time by age 20.
YEP, you're right Randy! My bad! Sorry Mojo. 🙏🏼
Hey Gabriel - you're absolutely right about Mojo Buford. Just found this footage of him ripping a killer solo on the song he was named after: th-cam.com/video/eHSJVB_lcq8/w-d-xo.html
That is George Harmonia Smith though (according to the video title.) th-cam.com/video/51DjBFzpIzs/w-d-xo.html
@@Harmonicacom Good to give Mojo Buford his credits. I am not sure about the second video, what you mean? That is for sure George Harmonica Smith playing his rendition of Juke.
I was about to say Mannish Boy better be #1 😂
All right, so we're on the same page! 👊🏼
Bruh, just when I think you can't put out a better video than the last one, you do.
Ah, thanks Joe! Means the world to me bro. 🙏🏼
I think that’s Mojo Buford at the checkerboard.
That's not James Cotton at the checkerboard?
@@Harmonicacom no, that’s mojo. He was with muddy off and on through the years. Always wore that Harmonica belt, if that’s what you call it.
@@Harmonicacom No, Chris is correct, that's definitely Mojo Buford. Also, that's Paul Oscher not Jerry Portnoy in the other clip as well (I think someone else pointed that out too).
That’s Paul Oscher playing harmonica on Hoochie Coochie Man in your video .
Dang, I didn't think that looked like Jerry Portnoy, but I couldn't find anyone to tell me who it was! Thanks Mark! 🤘🏼
You have to be a genius to know when to suck in and when to blow out, and if you need to play multiple holes and remember the sequence, not sure if I will ever learn the harmonica
You can do it!
Mojo Buford on Baby Please Don't Go
Yeah my bad Michael. Big apologies to Mojo Buford and Paul Oscher whom I mistakenly called Jerr Portnoy.
That is george harmonica smith,the other guy in 1st poss is paul asher
Great players
Yes agreed. Sorry for error. Thanks for the correction. 🙏🏼
Correction: at 3:12 you introduced Muddy Water's harmonica player as Jerry Portnoy... Not so, that is Paul Oscher. That is also not James Cotton at 4:32. Not sure who.
Yes, Roger that Thomas my bad. That is Paul Oscher. The man I called James Cotton twice is Mojo Buford. Check him out here: th-cam.com/video/eHSJVB_lcq8/w-d-xo.html
Thomas - At 0:02 that's Jerry Portnoy though...
@@pit2ryan3 Yes... Paul Oscher at 3:34.
Thomas De Lello - At 4:32 that's George "Mojo" Buford... Got his "Chicago Blues Summit 1979" on Jap. CD, great!
isn't that paul oscher on the harp at 3:35?
Yep. Sorry bout that!
Cream (nopunintended)
of the
Crop (nopunintended)
LOL. Right on Peli. 👊🏼
👍👍🤝🙂
2:16 MOJO BUFORD
You're right Danny. My Bad. Sorry Mojo!
Muddy is doing Mannish Boy here in key of A That would be a D harp in 2nd position. I believe the original Chess recording is also in A. You're demonstration here is on a C harp, which would mean key of G for the band. Better to demonstrate using the same key as the video.
Yep you got it Anthony. I just do everything on a C harmonica for beginners who might own nothing but a C harmonica. Rock on! 😎
🤝👍👏
Thanks for watching!
For Hoochie Coochie Man, you can play the riff in key of D on a C harmonica by doing the following -4 -5 -4 -5 6
That would actually be key of G, just up an octave from -1- 2" -1 -2" -2. (And you could play it up an octave from there: -8 -9 -8 -9 9.)
I play a bass Guitar and now mybe a harmonica..😄
YES Stefan! DO IT!!!
That wasn't Jerry Portnoy, that was Paul Oscher in the Hoochie Coochie Man clip. I knew both guys.
Hey Dan - thanks for letting me know! I I didn't think that looked like Jerry Portnoy, but I couldn't find anyone to tell me who it was! I'm not familiar with Paul Oscher - I gotta look him up!
@@Harmonicacom Paul passed away last year in Austin, TX. He was from Brooklyn. He played harp for Muddy in the 60s to early 70s. He was a great musician and a wonderful guy. Paul made a lot of great harp albums I'm sure you would enjoy. He also played guitar.
It's mojo buford with muddy not james cotton
Yeah Roger that Nigel. Sorry for the mistake. Just found this awesome footage of him shredding on the song he was nicknamed after: th-cam.com/video/eHSJVB_lcq8/w-d-xo.html
0:02 - Jerry Portnoy, wasn't he great?
Yeah he Portnoy rocks! Unfortunately I gave credit to him later in the video, where it was actually Paul Oscher playing. Oops. 🙈
@@Harmonicacom - Yes, that's Paul Oscher... They all played with Muddy though, he wanted the best! Maybe the most underrated here is Mojo Buford...
Thats Paul Oscher not Jerry Portnoy on Hoochie Coochie Man.
I guess I should pin that comment to the top. Thank you, and my apologies to Paul Oscher.
z😎❗
Right on Pluto!
Can´t keep up with that Luke lol
Roger that. Advanced stuff! Hopefully it's inspiring though?
Muddy waters had the best harmonica players ever in his team period.. how can you skip over Paul Allen Oscher like that tho. The first permanent white member of the muddy waters band and killer harmonica player
Ooof. I hate to confess to you that I'm not familiar with Paul Allen Oscher. I'll have to look him up. He's in good company tho, I think Carey Bell and Jerry Portnoy aren't mentioned either? I'm not sure who my favorite is....that would be hard to choose!
But Jerry Portnoy might have my favorite recorded solo on Muddy track of all time: forum.harmonica.com/t/share-your-favorite-harmonica-songs/3952?u=luke
Do you have a favorite Muddy song featuring Paul Allen Oscher? Anyone else have a different favorite player or song?
Actually, I’m pretty sure that the clip used in this video with, as you announced, Jeff Portnoy, is actually Paul Oscher himself. Sadly Paul died last year. Your lesson is BTW pretty fun and informative. Thanks!
That first HCMan was NOT Jerry Portnoy....Paul Oscher was da man.
Yeah I'm so sorry about that! 🙏🏼
Real blue's men don't use words like "scooch," and they definitely don't have braces.
EXCEPT COTTON ON#1
Um.........Jerry Portnoy? Jerry Portnoy!
He's the man.
What is all this bull about second position first position, when Little Walter played He grabbed a D or C and played the blues man. All this second position is bull. I mean it’s here they use it modern stuff& talk, but you give an experienced harp player like me, which played with Muddy Waters band after he died, if they’re playing in E, I’m gonna be blowing on a A harp and that’s all there is to it, experienced harp players like little Walter, Slim Harpo, Sonny Boy Williamson they knew what to do just like I know what to do, second position was not spoken back then, we’re playing in G little Walter would start blowing in D he knew what to do. Sunny boy knew what to do slim Harpo knew what to do. I know what to do, second position.😂😅, I’m 80 years old, old school 😎
Yeah maybe they called it cross-harp but like you said they grabbed an A harp to play in E 90% of the time, or grabbed a G harp to play in D 90%. Very rarely deviated from that - all the players you mention here.
you got all the harp players wrong
Paul Oscher is not Jerry Portnoy. Mojo Buford is not James Cotton. A total disservice to all four of these great Artists, three of whom are no longer with us. Also a disservice to your students by way of "teaching" them misinformation. Perhaps the teacher needs to do a little homework. Not impressed.
Damn, you sure don’t know your harp players
Yeah big apologies to Paul Osher may he rest in peace. 🙏🏼❤️🎶
How did they let you on this video first possession second position? What the crap are you talking about? Just grab your harmonica and blow it why do you have to talk about first position second position this is modern day talk I am old school like Little Water and Sunny boy Williamson they never talk about first position second position, you’re starting to make people sick man specially old school
КРУТО, МУЖИК. РЕСПЕКТУЕМ.
👊🏼
Jerry Portnoy ??He is my favourite player.This is Moyo Buford not James Cotton.Alsaw this is not Jerry Portnoy but Paul Oscher in video...Pozdrav iz Srbije( Europe)
Number 3 , not Cotton,
Buford
Yeah, my bad William! Also, not Jerry Portnoy but Paul Oscher....
FYI. Hoochie Coochie Man is in the key of A. Either straight harp in A like little Walter or cross harp in D.