Top 5 Stop-time Riffs

One of the most instantly recognizable sounds in the blues vocabulary is the stop-time riff--the foundation of "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "I'm a Man." Here are five versions of that riff, in increasing order of difficulty. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
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[@jonathanbouriaque9828]

LOVED that 5th riff. Totally part of my riff repertoire now

[@OmniphonProductions]

Thanks for the refresher. I'm going to keep coming back to this because it reminds me of _options_ I don't always remember _in the moment._
It's also worth noting that all of these stop time riffs can also be played within larger solo lines, especially within a Call & Response framework.
Great lesson, Adam! Thanks...yet again!!!

[@sandrolopesharp2845]

Hello Adam. Great lesson as usual! Have a great 2023!

[@rocketgirllise]

Hello Gussow and his wheels.

[@themouthorganizer6212]

Crisp, clear and, of course, beautifully played. Thanks.

[@carltakats327]

Love your video u make learning easy. And i like how explain everything. And how you talk about the blues and how you don't have to do too much to sound good with the band don't over play the singer thank you have a blessed day

[@dmitryk.1748]

Thank you Adam! Keep going please!

[@RenatoPastorello13]

Hello Adam! You have a lot of talent, fantastic!! Congratulations!
Big hug!
From Brazil.
😃👏🏼👍🏼

[@sasaivanovic783]

Bravo legendo! Pozdrav iz Srbije

[@lilzach666]

Thank you so much sir for taking the time !! Your amazing !! 👏

[@jonathanpalmer3587]

Great stuff. Got them all down. Thanks man, learn so much from you.

[@lastgameplay]

Thanks for your videos

[@harmonicamanrandy]

Yup. If you want to be a master, master the basics first.

[@jimreynolds7747]

Glad you're not having any long term Covid stuff Adam. That prison program sounds absolutely awesome. I know you'll make a significant positive difference for some of these inmates, way to pay it forward and thanks for all you do!

[@alexandrosmiteloudis]

hey there mr Adam, thank you for another great lesson. Can you make a video about the old-time-classic Suzie Q? This is a must add in my setlist!

[@beards-N-boonies]

Muddy Waters is definitely in that first one.

[@jaciobe]

I want to learn the ast one but can't get the sound

[@theshepherd6779]

Hi there
I’m an absolute beginner… what harmonica would you recommend( c d a etc) one that will last and can take me into semi-advance (hopefully)
Thanks

[@phasmo9942]

Hi there, your first harmonica should be in the key of C because all the awesome teachers here on RUclips show you their stuff on a C. Very good harmonicas to begin with are the Hohner Special 20 or the Lee Oskar. If you want a premium harmonica I can recommend the Hohner Crossover and if you're a little more experienced the Seydel 1847. Hope that helped. :)

[@KiddRoxas]

this man caused me to go and buy a harmonica 😂

[@pajapatak7555]

One note actually got dummped (not named) in the first riff...

[@gallionlion6388]

Your videos were the reason why i chose the diatonic harmonica. I am from India But unfortunately most of the Indian songs are played in chromatic harmonica.

[@PhilipCatley]

C Harp for this lesson but Hoochie Coochie Man is an A blues tune played on A harp in 1st position I believe.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes, you are correct!

[@PhilipCatley]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 sorry I don’t mean to sound like a know it all (I’m not). I know there’s a few versions and I was on the hunt for the original one in first position. Love everything you do Mr G.

[@kaugustson]

Please go slower? PLEASE

[@terryharrison5355]

Did Paul Oscher’s book ever get published?

[@guillaumerouze2214]

HI Adam from France! , Thanks a lot for your video and lesson.

[@greggmarkowski5203]

Thanks Professor Gussow. Great lesson as usual. I've been doing my own version of Stop-time riffs based on Sugar Blue's version. He throws a little glissando in. But these are great and I'll add them to my riff practice.

[@florentvauxion3664]

Hello Mister Adam, night and day, I'm always glad to see you 😎.

[@toppa_t]

Thank you, sir! 🙏

[@yanspearl4883]

❤🔥🔥🔥

[@hope-mg5sr]

Hello Adam! I have subscribed your chanel for a while and I love your teaching style. I've been playing harp for about half a year and I can bend and do some other tricks really well now, but I still can not play some good music. I just don't know why, maybe I should start to imitate some compositions? Could you make a video about how to be an advanced player after learning some basic techniques? Or maybe it's helpful to tell the general process of being an good harmonica player.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Great question. I'm going to make a video soon called "Absolute beginner: day 2 and beyond." It will answer your questions.

[@hope-mg5sr]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 Thank you so much！

[@veroniquegallant4561]

❤ wooah the fifth is so cool! I’m not there yet but I’ll keep on practicing 😅 thanks for the lesson professor! 🎶💗😄

[@philippeberland9276]

Tanks'you'adam''pour's'titrage'français

[@MrFozinator]

The Doctor knows

[@jaciobe]

Thank you

[@andreyfrantov1]

Thank you!❤

[@panoslitos7223]

Amazing Adam...

[@seadogbob]

Thanks Dr. G!

[@swedenharmonica2076]

My Hero

[@ledocblues]

Hi AG, great review putting all these together. Was there a reason you left out # 6, the first position riff on 1954 Hoochie Coochie Man slight bend 2 draw, 1/4 step bend 3 x2, 4 blow? Also, can do it in 3rd position all tongue-blocking 1-4, 2-5 draw x 2, 4-7 blow or variants; could be in 2nd too - haven't heard anyone do that, though

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I left out that first position riff because I wanted students to focus on a series of cross harp riffs and I thought that introducing first position into the mix would risk confusion. But that's certainly an important riff. As for 3rd position: I've never played it that way, and I've never actually heard any good player play it that way--although I'm sure it can be done. So it would be hard to justify putting that riff in this Top-5 video.

[@stonedoc7147]

Just wanted to say thanks 56 years old figure I would pick up something today is their Monica watch some of your videos amazingly bulshit free wow America anyway thanks man cool

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks, Doc. I try to keep the bu--sh-t quotient low.