I think as beginners we tend to think of these legends as having acquired their skill somewhat automatically; that they don't really think and analyze what they do. But in fact the opposite is usually the case, and this is a great example. Clearly Magic Dick has thought a great deal about his craft. Great interview.
I've watched this interview twice. A year back when it came out and today. It really is a brilliant interview with two professionals that truly enjoy their craft. They are about as genuine as it gets. No ego, and all class. Also, very enlightening.
Magic Dick and Kim Wilson are the reason I learned to tongue block. I spent months learning songs, but it was missing something… so glad folks like them share info so willingly and have moved the craft upward and onward.
I've been playing for almost 50 years...I use the "U" shaped tongue method, I tripped over that when I started learning, and it just made sense to me...I get focused power and can put in chording rhythms easily and bend/overblow/blow bend more easily. I also play a lot of chromatic, too, and the "U" shape works best for straight harp/first position. I've since learned that tongue blocking is better for most second/third position playing and have been working on that. We never stop learning! Best harmonica RU-vid video I've seen yet.
Saw the J Geils Band only once at the Saturday late show at the Fillmore East. Unforgettable performance of the whole band and Magic Dick was superb like virtuoso player. I became a fan that night. Thank you for posting this treasure.
This is what I call thoughtful. Personnaly, I think I'm somehow "gifted" for bluesharp. I'm not saying that I mastered it in no time, not at all (there's work for an entire life and I just stratched the surface). I'm just saying that this instrument just gets me focused "naturally" on next steps in my playing more than any other instruments. When people ask me how I got so good in only two years, I just say: hard and consistent work but mostly, everytime I'm reaching my goals (at least thinking I've reached them), I am as enthusiastic as suspicious: is it really what I was looking for? What's wrong? What's still weak in my technique? I spend hours and hours trying to spot these weaknesses and then I use my creativity to find exercices that'll constantly expose myself to these weaknesses. I think it's a great way to "trap" yourself on the path to being a better player because like magic dick said, it's about awareness. This is not stepping back, that's the opposite :)
Dicks performance of “ Wammer Jammer” anywhere in the 70’s to me right at the top of live performances in Rock.How he didn’t pass out is just the amazing.
His live performance at the Saturday late show at the Fillmore East when I was young and unfamiliar with their music was my introduction to this virtuoso musician. He played his heart out!! The whole band was outstanding, I became a fan.
So this is how you do it, A tip here, a tip there and practice, practice, practice. Tested tried and true. Lately I've been working on "Red Sails in the sunset" played in the style of the Platters, circa 1962. Real mellow. Donc, c'est comment vous le faites, une astuce ici, un bout là-bas et la pratique, pratique, pratique. Testé éprouvée. Dernièrement, j'ai travaillé sur 'Voiles rouges dans le coucher du soleil' joué dans le style des Platters, circa 1962. Moelleux réel
I started w puckering but that lasted for only about the first four months. After I started on David’s course, I quickly switched to tongue blocking. I’m less than two years into this, but really prefer tong locking in most circumstances.
This is a great interview. Magic Dick hits it right on the head about learning puckering / TB . I really like hIs honesty. there's so much information out there these days , it makes your head swim. Its about doing what you're comfortable with. Try both but don't necessarily stick with one master. Learn what you can and use where necessary.
Thanks for this interesting upload! So many fantastically artistic artists (Genius) never made it into the height of fame. At least they are remembered for what they did contribute. He was the "Star" of the band. Please like this upload(puts it into circulation)!
He really was. Magic Dick was one of the only Harmonica "stars" of the rock era with AMAZING showmanship. I recommend the Geils Rockpalast DVD to see him in action!!!
I'd like to respond to this piece, but before I do please allow me to Introduce myself and pay my respects to Mr Barrett and say thank you sir for having taken the time to produce this informative, educational, and human interest, piece on Mr Magic Dick. I wish this kind of info was available to me as a child, I would have recognized my gift and been a superstar . Alas, my focus was directed on a variety of other gifted talents I chose to pursue and prefect during my youth. My name is Delta Blue , a name that I chose because I provides me with a variety of invaluable FREE, and self-perpetuating PR and marketing opportunities and benefits..... Enough of my history for now, however I speak as an authority and master of my craft based learned and knowledge and miles of experience. In the first part of this interview, I had to laugh because I experienced the frustration as Magic trying to learn reading the instructions in the box. I'm a boomer who listened to all the am radio stations and cant remember very many songs that had harp being played in them. Bob Dylan was always mentioned when it came to what was suppose to be cool harp playing... I thought It sounded like shit and couldn't stand it. In time I would pick up influences from a few players who music I actually took the time to go buy their particular tune, and take the time to listen and copy at the time I was still try to learn to play this fucking irritating little piece of shit that I had nothing but contempt for, yet couldn't free myself from my love of it. Plus , like mr. Dick says, My mind set was what compelled me to keep that little dragon in my pocket. I have never quit or give up on that which I chose to pursue, that don't mean that a number of my harps didn't find their way smashed against the wall though. Given the right influence regarding a learned skill I can and do learn be simply focusing and following example provided at the time. once I had gotten the grasp of the technique, I would start putting my own direction of growth on it. The light turned on with Lee Osker's Gyspy Man. Magic Dick's Whammer Jammer, Paul Butterfield's Work Song, Norton Buffalo Mojo Working, and Sugar Blue's Hoochie Goochie Man and most all of his music...... I have never heard the descriptive terms , tongue blocking, and puckering. Those terms are indicative of someone who plays the harp using air directly from the mouth cavity, sticks the tip of the tongue directly ounder or on the hole for either lead, or chordal play, and holds the harp with both hands flapping the rear hand to create vibrato... That is my impression only., simply because I have never performed or played that way. Magic Dick may have started playing that way. I did he and the rest of the players I mentioned are Melodic lead Diaphragm players who play with stomachs and throats and use their tongues when accompanying rhythmically or when riding a groove playing 7's and 9's. In any case Howe ever , or what ever technique Magic dick uses or anyone one else uses for that matter is all good by me. and no Whammer Jammer didn't rely on special tricks, or alterations folks. It just took damn good talent and playing, and the vision to turn a simple 1,4,5, shuffle into an iconic trend setting level, one which has set the bar for those who would seek to ascend to a level where they can say I just might have the potential to do this. fof those who do manage to play Whammer Jammer, Do yourselves a favor and find a obscure solo album featuring Magic Dick , and J. Giels. Magic Dick plays his ass off on some unbelievable melodies set to hard driving jazz-fusion that out does anything Ive ever heard him play. I would believe that Mr. Barrett is aware of and knows how or where tthis holy grail containing magic Dick's finest works, can be found, or at least know the name of this gem. One the fans, public , and aspiring harp students missed out on hearing. This is music that will easily fit into days market, and would be be a hit seller if re-mastered on to CD and given proper promotional consideration. If Mr. Barrett is in aware of this album, Maybe he could ask magic about it and inform us further.... Please bear in mind that I am responding to this post out of excitement to respond to the first thing ive seen, so bear with me in the event that album is list already. Thank You Mr. Barrett for providing this page...great stuff... Delta Blue, of No. Ca./ Sacramento delta region, and also home to Mentor, Friend and Brother, Blues hall of Famer Johnny Heartsman, the fore-father of the West Coast Jump Blues sound.
Harps were $3.50 when I started playing and did the exact same thing with the little paper that came with them lol 😆 threw it away and wish that I would have at least tried to learn that technique but after 50 years of playing I've got it down pretty good now.
Started blues harp more than forty years ago. Biggest influence was Mick Jagger. Check out Midnight Rambler from "Get Yet Ya Ya's Out" I've always played to embellish a tune not to solo. Harp can be obnoxious if used as a read instrument.
You’re biggest influence isn’t even respected as a harp player. I’m not knocking mick. That would be as bad as knocking Dylan. Mick plays effectively and I enjoy his limited playing but he’s no master at all. Not to be rude but clearly you’re a dabbler not a harp player.
How do you tongue block and bend a note both at the same time? Like my hero Paul Butterfield, we only pucker and we both play the harp upside down - the low notes are on the right.
Great interview. This is actually a fantastic example of "Fundamentals of learning: the exploration-exploitation trade-off" www.tomstafford.staff.shef.ac.uk/?p=48
I love when frontmen to showy rock bands known for flair, and over-the-top showmanship sound like scholars of medieval literature, rather than the cliched Russell Brand on plutonium braindead crazy. He is aware of how the notoriety of a couple hits like W-J overshadow the deeper canyons of other blues realms, and his latter career seems to be making up to the little-known but actually far more influential masters who built the stage on which he and his bandmates rose to fortune and fame. Around 7:15 the U-block talk is akin to legend and folk mythology, just slightly less annoying than the Robert Johnson soul-to-the-devil crap. News flash - there are no secret magic tricks that make some legendary sound unavailable to modern mortals, and there are many ways to create the same sorts of tone-shaping and riffs, as shown on RU-vid by many who can reproduce astonishing covers of most every classic harp tune, and who are probably doing it using whatever techniques work for them, not necessarily the ones used by the originals. SRV did not have to replicate Jimi's odd guitar layout to sound amazing.
I think the point is not about better or worse but about expansion of his technical repertoire. I agree with you really. A great harp player can tongue, pucker or U block and be a great. I just think MD wanted to expand.
I do agree with this, Dicky was an essential piece of the J geils Band I learned a lot from his accompanying the band, playing organ parts , horn parts and of course soloing I learned a lot from those the old records as far as throwing out the instruction paper with your Marine Band when I was a kid that was the first thing I did such a fool such a fool! great interview
Magic Dick is one of my favourite harp players. I almost nailed "Wammer" back in the day lol - so good! I love a lot of players from Sonny boy to Jason Ricci - amazing talent with all different techniques. I kind of do my own thing and you can check out one of my tracks here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lScGunA8Cjk.html
I gotta Say, Mick Jagger + Richard Are my Most admired Harp Performers, Now Magic Dick Without Question #1 but Mick been a dominant performer since /62
