Hootin’ the Blues on the Harp – Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee Video

by JP Allen

I hope this video brings some fun to your day.

It’s a 1950s video of my first harmonica idol, Sonny Terry, jamming with Pete Seeger and Brownie McGhee.

AND YES! He is making all those awesome hooting sounds while playing harmonica at the same time. Super Fun!

Please post your comment below if you feel inspired. My intention is to bring happiness into the world through the harmonica and I’d love to know if you either enjoyed or didn’t enjoy this blog.

Warmly,
JP

P.S. I may not respond to all your comments but it does bring me joy to read the posts and watch our community of harmonica players growing and supporting one another. (You can also email me at jp@jpallen.com if you have any suggestions for future posts or just want to connect with me).

Tagged with: Brownie McGhee • Hootin' the Blues • Sonny Terry

Responses to This Article

•   
  Don Grundy

  J.P. I’ve truly enjoyed the emails you’ve sent. I’ve played the harmonica badly, since I was about 7. Then I didn’t play for years. About a year ago, I bought a MB. I started with You Tube, trying to learn, but needed more structure. I enrolled in Tony Eyers, Harmonica Academy.

  I do want to thank you, for your emails.

  Thanks, again,

  Don

  [Reply]

    

  Bruno

  J.P. Thanks for the emails you send. They encourage me and keep me in touch. I still play badly but the senior center keeps asking me back. I think the seniors like the simple music and the familiar melodies.

  Blessings on you and your family my friend.

  Bruno

  [Reply]

    

  samuel bone

  Thanks JP.This video is awesome .Great lungs…Don is the academy on line?I started playing about a year ago and ok with a few songs.I realy found it hard to practice once college started…however i am xcited because summer is near and i can go back to my harmonica! I just cant wait.

  [Reply]

    

  martymann

  i love this video, saw about a month and a half ago. i cant wait to play like him. the foxtrot harp is genious!

  [Reply]

•   
  Rafa

  Hey JP, I’d also like to thank you for the information you send us! I’m from Chile and harmonica is not really well known, so receiving this videos every now and them is a great way to take 5 minutes of your day for the instrument we all adore.

  Thanks again!
  Rafa

  [Reply]

•   
  Sylvia

  Heya JP,
  How’s your bones?!

  Great video you send, thnx. That’s some great harpin’ and hootin’ that he does and it shows it all comes down to the breathing…! Hope I’ll get that far one day, first got to overcome a major mental block. But I’m confident just one day………..and much thnx for all the free stuff you put out there on the net, that is really nice of you!
  Respect!

  [Reply]

•   
  Lainey Wilson

  LOVE IT. This video just shows the joy and soul that goes into the playing.

  [Reply]

•   
  Charlie Carr

  SUPER VIDEO..HE HAD LOADS OF TALENT AND SPECIAL EFFECTS AND BLEND THEM ALL TOGETHER,THANKS FOR SENDING IT TO ME I REALLY ENJOYED IT AND ALSO YOUR TEACHING SKILLS REALLY HELPED ME OUT A LOT, KEEP YOUR TEACHING VIDEOS COMING..THANKS AGAIN..CHARLIE

  [Reply]

•   
  Arlene

  JP,

  On this video to be honest it is very excellent. Words can’t describe it. Also, I enjoyed each video you sent to me to learn new Harmonica tricks, actually I can play a simple song thru Harmonica now. Thank you for helping me to learn Harmonica, I truly appreciate it. And may I suggest that you also create a MySpace account so that I can communicate with you more often. Thanks and God bless!!!

  Arlene

  [Reply]

•   
  Mario

  I loved the ecstatic expression on the banjo’s player face!
  Fantastic…

  [Reply]

•   
  Ludo

  Hi ya,
  hope you are good and sound,
  Although I admit I can’t read them all, I like your emails yes, your joy is communicative.
  This video is great too.
  A quick word on how music helps me.
  I can’t say harmonica especially because I am not a true harpist. I explained briely. I had started to learn diatonic but I lost three of them including a Lee Oskar on the road.
  I kept on learning anyway on a bad harmonica till I turned to chromatics. I was given an old one but I never knew how it worked.
  I understood the advantage they had for someone with no musical education or ear such as me. On diatonics I could never know if I hit the right note and I felt guilt for others ears…
  I am still learning how to play the better chromatic I got myself, everyday simply going up, down and around the musical alphabet which is the chromatic scale.
  That’s all I do.
  After two months of this, I started singing.
  I started singing! Never could I do this in my little 34 years of life. And in tune.
  Being able to sing feel like being born, man!
  I love it and it is changing me, my perception of Life and my relation to People and the World around.
  I am a HAPPY person. I can feel and give happiness.

  Here is why playing Music is indispensable.
  No Music No Life!
  Harmonica is a wonderful handy instrument to learn on and grow as a human being.

  

  Take good care
  Ciao

  Ludo.

  PS: Many thanks to your great work and videos because I started to learn diatonics with you.

  [Reply]

    

  ian

  hi Ludo
  just read with interest your reply to J.P. I have only been learning to harp for a few weeks with J.P. i hope to buy the complete set soon. Please tell me about the ‘better chromatic’ i have not heard about it before, but only have the ten hole hohner in C. take care Regards Ian

  [Reply]

•   
  ashley bell

  Really enjoyed this post.
  Been learning now for five years and can play a little but sonnys tone and timing with his rhythm is amazing, something there for us all.
  Thank you.

  [Reply]

•   
  Ricky Lien

  Hey JP!

  Thanks for posting up this golden oldie. It’s a sheer delight to listen and watch. Sigh….one day ….. with daily practice …. I too, will be able to play something from start to finish that’ll have the audience’s feet a-tapping!

  Thanks for the emails!

  Ricky

  [Reply]

•   
  Ed Gold

  Thank you for this Sonny Terry video and all your others to date. It was a joy to watch the pleasure that Sonny Terry got from his playing. I’ve been much more into the chromatic harmonica, playing with the Long Island Harmonica Band what we would call “golden oldie” tunes from the 30’s to the early 50’s, but I also love hearing the blues on the harmonica and would like to improve my abilities in that area. Thanks again.

  Ed

  [Reply]

•   
  JP Allen

  Hey Ricky,

  Glad you liked the vid of Sonny. Stay with and you will be able to play something start to finish. Maybe start with a small goal and then work your way up.

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Ken Noland

  J P I seen this and every time it makes me want to kick myself for not getting a handle on the harmonica, thanks for the post to see 3 giants together made my night.

  Keep harpin Ken N

  [Reply]

•   
  Molly McGuire

  Dear JP,

  I had the good fortune of seeing Sonny and Brownie live in Manhattan in the 60’s. It was just as on this video. All that stuff with his hands makes it seem as though he is making the air around him do all that stuff that I now know is all happening inside his mouth. What an entertainer!! Sure wish I could do that train stuff so fast and easy. Also loved the Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall video. It makes everybody I show it to laugh out loud and shake their head in amazement. Keep ‘em coming. Molly

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  No way!!! How cool!!!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Dot

  What a treat!! Appreciate the emails too.

  I played weekly with the “Harmoneers”, a great group of
  people in Walnut Creek, CA..and loved every minute.
  Hope I can find some players here in NJ.

  Best wishes,
  Dot

  [Reply]

•   
  danny

  Loved it, JP. Thanks for adding me to the post.

  [Reply]

•   
  Betsy Johnson

  Loved this video. Two great players that can do this hollerin’ technique today are Joe Filisko and Peter Madcat Ruth…it is so much fun to listen to.

  And yes, I love getting your e-mails and watching some of your stuff on you tube. Wish you’d come to SPAH!

  Keep on harpin’….Betsy

  [Reply]

•   
  Khuong

  oops,

  Where is the video? I couldn’t see anything!

  [Reply]

•   
  Gerard Cornielje

  Thanks for your great e-mails, they are helpful and fun!
  Regards,
  Gerard Cornielje

  [Reply]

•   
  chief

  Thanks for that video,ever since I started playing harp,Ive been listening to OLD rag time harp Blues and been playing them,not very well,But good enough to put A smile on your face,Thanks again.Chief

  [Reply]

•   
  ROBERT TAYLOR

  Love the mail I get from your sight, Just starting to learn to play harmonica. Got a good teacher here in Wilmington NC

  [Reply]

•   
  Ron Martin

  Man, how could anyone not enjoy and be inspired by that dude’s talent. Thanks—send more!

  [Reply]

•   
  Lou Piskura

  JP:

  Sonny Terry is one fine talented musician. The control he has in his breathing technique to be able to play both the harmonica and hoot at the same time is nothing short of miraculous. Gosh! just to see a variety show with the likes of Sonny & Pete would be tremendous. I would love to see the harmonica become a more prevelant instrument. It transmits so many feelings to the soul.
  Lou Piskura

  [Reply]

•   
  Tom

  Another example that music reflects life as it really is. If only everyone could have that experience. Thank you for YOUR inspiration to others.

  [Reply]

•   
  JP Allen

  WOW!!!!

  I just read all of your comments posted and I went from smiling to laughing to smiling. This is so darn cool to feel connected to a harmonica community when I living here all alone in Kauai, Hawaii with absolutely no harmonica contingency…actually some…but not like my days living in Austin, Texas…

  STOKED!!!

  YOU MADE MY DAY!!

  jp

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  P.S. It is amazing to play to the setting sun over the ocean here in Kauai…so Blues Night club or setting sun….hummmm…I’m 44 now…I’ll take the setting sun… can’t keep up with the young ones anymore…I’m going to do a harmonica retreat in Kauai at some point so email me at jp@jpallen.com if you’re interested and I’ll let you know.

  [Reply]

•   
  Diego

  Greetings and blessings from the World´s Best Coffee Country – Land of the Eternal Spring!!! Guatemala, Central America. I have really enjoy this video. Gave me a couple of minutes of fun. My dad gave me a Harmonica when I joined the Boy Scouts back in 1973. I never played good, recently I bought another Harmonica, a BluesBand, and I`m practicing just for fun. Your lessons and videos have been a great help to me. Thank you.

  [Reply]

•   
  Joe

  Great video. It’s hard to believe he can play & hoot at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Your lessons are awesome too. I can’t wait to be able to play a song. I’ve been wanting to learn to play for almost 40 years. The wait is over. Thanks for everything, Joe.

  [Reply]

•   
  Filipe Mesquita

  Hi JP

  It´s one of the idols of all of us. It brought to the scene the very essence of harp playing, this extreme happiness and naturalness of improvising over a few chords. I already knew the video. Sonny Terry in his best!!!
  Don´t forget also the same mood in Sonny Boy Williamson´s Bye Bye Bird.
  Thanks a lot for the video.

  [Reply]

•   
  Phil

  It says that the video has been removed. too bad

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Phil, we found another version of the video and just added it again to our blog post

  [Reply]

•   
  Eduardo Curiel

  Simplemente EXTRAORDINARIO, Sonny Boy Wiliamson was my inspiration for play harmonica, and each day I fill playing much better with your teaching true the video.
  play fast is very difficult, but I am into the problem.
  Now we have a band with the name, Dr. Blues Band and we play our own songs, later send you a video .
  Take care
  Eduardo.

  [Reply]

•   
  Vic

  Greetings JP,
  I enjoy all of your emails. I recently picked up the harp after seeing your videos, and others on youtube. I’m still stuck on the basics…but enjoy playing. Like all things in life “you get out what you put in”, “no-pain; no-gain”, and “practice, practice,practice”.
  Best regards to you and all your followers.

  [Reply]

•   
  Alma Engel

  Great fun! Thanks for sharing. I love receiving your e-mails. You seem so happy!

  [Reply]

•   
  Rhiannon

  Rhiannon says, “This was a good video, I liked it. Thanks for the newsletters, JP. I’m learning to bend notes, and I like all your videos and CDs, and so does my daddy. “

  [Reply]

•   
  Dorothy A. Thomas

  I loved listening to Sonny. In fact I love all you emails. Dotty

  [Reply]

•   
  Bob Hanan

  Hey
  I have really enjoyed all your e-mails! I’m looking forward to getting your course. I was given my Uncle’s harmonica back in the seventies. I used to love to play piano and guitar but loss the use of my hands about 12 years ago to inflammatory arthritis. I think the only thing I can play is the harmonica! I worked in the ministry for many years and now am in financial services. anyway..I have looked at some of your preliminary courses online and I love your positive approach and your warm smile and attitude! So.. when I can get the funds I’ll get your course! We just became grandparents and I’m making moves in my business because of a move and limited mobility. Please keep in touch. It is a blessing to me.

  Warm regards

  Bob

  [Reply]

•   
  Don Wagner

  Great playing. Got anything on or about Herb Schriner? I really enjoyed this, what a great talent

  [Reply]

•   
  Geoff - down under

  Thanks JP – this was awesome. I loved the rhythm and the guy’s wailing. I agree with the others, Sonny Boy sure was one talented individual.
  Geoff (Down Under)

  [Reply]

•   
  Janny

  I love it. Actually, since I heard you first, I think he sounds like you. lol. Btw, last night I played some harmonica songs for friends around the campfire – thanks to you. One friend got out his banjo and played around, too.

  Thanks for helping me learn to make people smile, one harmonica song at a time!

  [Reply]

•   
  Armando Amarillas

  I recently bought a cd by Sonny Terry and B. Magee great stuff. Thank you JP Allen. I bought your instructional DVD’s last October and have really enjoyed learning. I’m currently on the bending instruction DVD.

  [Reply]

•   
  Marilyn

  I enjoyed this video. It truly amazes me what you can do with a Harmonica. My goal is when I can do single notes I will save my pennies for the DVD’s.

  [Reply]

•   
  Comboverguy

  Thanks for a great video, I really appreciate all of your information and am coming along nicely with my harp. Not nearly fast enough, but slow and steady wins the race.
  Thanks again. I will be ordering your course soon.

  [Reply]

•   
  Ben Downs

  JP,
  Thanks for the Sonny Terry,Brownie McGhee,Pete Seeger video.
  When I was about twelve years old I heard Sonny and Brownie on Juke Boxes during the 50’s and black musicians were not getting much tv time especially blues(harmonica) players.Sonny and Brownie had out a song called “Fannie May” and I would play that song over and over at a dime a play or three songs for a quarter!I didn”t know his instrument he played until later on in life but I knew it sounded good.Now I appreciate his harmonica and mine even more.Thanks for the instructional videos that you send also.I hope you can find more of the old blues harmonica players and post their videos
  such as Sonny Boy Williams and Little Walter.I bought your instructional DVD set and I am on the first one and taking my time.

  [Reply]

•   
  Ben Downs

  Also if you can find a video of Buster Brown who also recorded Fanne May would be good.

  [Reply]

    

  Sarah

  Hey J.P.
  I really enjoyed that video and all the others you’ve sent and I love the way you share so much of your talent freely. I am soon to be 65 and I am trying to learn to play the harmonica by watching your free lessons on the PC. You are an inspiration to all of us who love music; God bless you.
  Sarah

  [Reply]

•   
  Fernando

  JP

  Gracias for all this inspiration and lesson you give me, i should actually say give us!!!, because is me and my friends we live in Colombia, so me been the only one understanding your lessons have to translate into them we all practice and have tons of fun jejeje, we just bought ourselves 4 blues band harmonicas yuuuu huuuuuuu

  and thank you again

  [Reply]

Say Something About this Article, Leave Your Comment Here...

How To Play Harmonica
AND SOUND GREAT
(Do Your Notes Ever Sound Bad?)

Trackback Links | RSS Comments Links