Adam, I just found your videos and site tonight, I so enjoy listening to you talk. My dad's a blues harp player, but he's not really good at teaching. I have decided to pick it up on my own, and really enjoy hearing about the ins and outs of being a harmonica player. And I'm always down to listen to a good long story from a seasoned pro, rambling or not. ;)
2 years ago I went busking in Cinque Terre (Italy) with 3 friends of mine. I had crafted myself a small drumset and played harmonica a bit (i'm learning). One day it was raining as hell and we had just got down from the train with no money left, so we had to make some money. We set up the stuff in a corner near the platforms and just started playing. It was awesome because the station was the only dry place in the village, so everyone was gathering there and everyone was happy for the music!
I've just been cooking, chopping chillies.. that's dangerous for a harmonica player, chilli on the fingers gets rubbed onto the lips and your lips BURN,, Ow
I've tried busking a few times, I want to go back to it.. it's a lot easier on the saxophone than on my harmonica.. I find I start playing something and I have difficulty playing anything else well apart for that, 'walter horton's boogie' or 'like sonny boy' etc... And it gets so i can only play one chorus over and over... nerves I suppose. and constantly playing so your lips get sore and dry. And so nervous that you feel like you have to play fast. need to go back to that.
I really enjoyed this video! I could tell you enjoyed looking back on those busking memories. Thanks for the inspiration; really makes me want to get out on the streets of Charleston, SC
Great video Adam! The technique lessons are awesome but there is nothing like finding a 30 min long video of a tried and true, real deal harp man, telling us how it is! These kinds of videos of yours are my personal favorites and I think the you tube community would really appreciate a part 2, 3, 4 and 5 of your busking days! For those that haven't yet, go and get his book... a great read! Thanks Adam.
Nice one ! Just a request, can you show that mouse amp another ten times, i'm not sure we've got all the angle of view ;-). We definitely wan't the part 2 ...
Pretty good Adam. Come and jam with me anytime! I like the word busking and have been to Europe so I understand.
Probably all art is a calling and we artists are all crazy. I recently read my poetry on the street with the accompaniment of a banjo player - Eddie, from Eddie and Robin fame. We were there at the occupy wall street scene.
Adam, I just came accross this video and let me tell you it's right in time for I'm making up my mind to become a busker (new word for my book!), though I've already had a few casual experiences. Please, go ahead with Busking 2, 3, 4... lol Thanks a lot, Adam, for I also learnt the most part of my harmonica groundings from you :-)
I busked on the Paris Metro in 1978 or 1979 for about a month. It was a blast! I joined up with a guitar player from Ireland, and a guitar player for Thailand. I save up $ for a ticket to Dublin. I will never forget...
Adam Gussow. Great bloke. A credit to the world of harmonica. All the harmonica greats that are up there in harmonica heaven smile and bring out their favourite harps whenever he makes a youtube video and jam alongside him. Thanks for all you've done for us over the years Adam.
Adam I have seen "Little Mike & The Tornadoes". I 've seen " Sugar Blue" . Saw "Popa Chubby" live as well. I must say I woulda loved to have seen Poppa Chubby & Adam playing together. That would have been a real treat. I may have seen "Satan & Adam" once. Did you ever busk up in Chicago during the Blues Fest ?
I am working on a setlist for street busking on harmonica and so far have about 9 songs. But i know i will need at least 20. Any suggestions or maybe you could tell us all what songs you did or work well just on harmonica and singing without accompaniment? Thanks for all the advice.
Adam, your youtube and instructional videos have no doubt helped thousands of aspiring harmonicists. There are guys who pay hundreds, or even thousands of dollars a year in lessons to learn the "secrets" that you share with all of us. Thank You.
Hell yeah! I loved that video. I'd love to hear more stories, and also useful tips. I made a living last summer by busking. Playing guitar and singing. I felt the call, like you did, and it was a great, rewarding experience for the most part!
This is gold, Adam, pure gold and as my wife said, listening in, social history. Very inspirational. Definitely would love to see installment II (and more?) Cheers, BronzeWailer
Thank you very much for all your video and espacially this video. Im 18 years old and i am now prepairing slowly to play on the streets with my guitar and harp. I would love to see more videos about the philosophy of blues sometime.
Thank you very much, you are very inspiring for me and other people!
Lots more please Adam. I'm older than you and have always wanted to busk but never had the nerve. Retired now so lots of time but still no balls. I love to hear tales of life they're the only ones worth listening to. You are delightfully eccentric and your love of the harp is infectious.
Loved this Adam, these are things I'm experiencing myself this past 6 months or so, its a great life, highs and lows. Since I've started though, things have taken off, played the Belfastcity Bluesfestival this year, got mentioned on the radio, dedicatin youyr life to music certainly pays off. Like you say, you got to be a little crazy, and I most certainly am that. Bravery too, yeah that comes into it. Big thanks from Northern Ireland :)
I was wondering how long it would take you to get back to Times Square after your detour to Halifax. LOL. Tangents are fun, especially stories like that.
Last summer, inspired by Satan & Adam, I took my one-man band to the streets of Portland, OR for a couple of days. I made about $10 per hour. More important than money, I made my 6-year-old daughter proud, making a few bucks as a musician, while showing her some of the prettier parts of PDX, which is a very busker friendly city. City ordinances give street performers a lot of liberty, so there's very little police interference. Thanks again for teaching me and inspiring me to get out there.
Great lesson as always Adam, very interesting stuff. It would be great to have another video of you playing the solo harmonica songs you used to play by that time! And for sure Adam, playing in street will probably gives you a gig someday.
30 minutes was a good intro to it all. Keep telling the tale and giving us the information if there's another 30 min or more to go. This is good stuff. There's only so much common sense anyone can have when they go out to play, and adding to the street smarts of it is extra wisdom. Like SoundOfAnodyne said, when it's a 30 minute Adam video, it's going to be worth the time.
right on! i'd love to do it, maybe in europe . I'm still young and would love to have some way of getting something at the places i road trip to. keep it up!
I see a 30 minute video anywhere else, and I have to wonder if it will be worth the time. I see Adam put a 30 minute video up, and I know he has something to say - something worth listening to.
continued. The hohner diatonic button accordion is the same physical music. Two tones for each hole, two tones for each button on the accordion. I play a little different than most accordion players, as I use only one row, just like the harp. The accordion gives me three harps with its three rows. I love gospel music. In fact, I thank the Lord every day for the gift of music. Thanks for sharing your gift of a love for music. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Adam, I enjoyed your video, as it reminded me of my younger days. I played street music for many years. Not necessarily for money mostly for enjoyment, any money was just frosting on the cake. I enjoyed tunnels for the re-verb effect, also parking garages, etc. I have played in Spain, Russia, even in a jail cell as they missed the harp as they checked my pockets for weapons. The harp was cupped in my hand. I played a hohner harp then and have morphed into a hohner button diatonic accordion
Most of the time when I play in the street(I never play with an amp or try to get payed, the cops are real knee breakers here.) I get looks like " Lord wheres a cops when ya need one !" At lest it seems i get more of them kinda looks then smiles & kind words ...Yet I keep doing it ,its a sickness. Great video !!! Thank for posting it................Doc
Adam, watching this video was as enjoyable as reading Satan's Apprentice! It was great hearing this story, and I just might be that one person you were talking about. But, I'm 73 years old so I guess I'll do this in my dreams and the picture you just painted makes the dream real.
Adam, I just found your videos and site tonight, I so enjoy listening to you talk. My dad's a blues harp player, but he's not really good at teaching. I have decided to pick it up on my own, and really enjoy hearing about the ins and outs of being a harmonica player. And I'm always down to listen to a good long story from a seasoned pro, rambling or not. ;)
unopepito06 6 days ago
Today I picked up my busking license. I made my first dollar, and enough after to buy myself a pint of Guiness. Damn do I feel great.
SoundOfAnodyne 2 weeks ago
@SoundOfAnodyne : Well now there you go, g-d d-mit! Way to go.
KudzuRunner 2 weeks ago
2 years ago I went busking in Cinque Terre (Italy) with 3 friends of mine. I had crafted myself a small drumset and played harmonica a bit (i'm learning). One day it was raining as hell and we had just got down from the train with no money left, so we had to make some money. We set up the stuff in a corner near the platforms and just started playing. It was awesome because the station was the only dry place in the village, so everyone was gathering there and everyone was happy for the music!
balcofono666 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
Horwellston 1 month ago
I've just been cooking, chopping chillies.. that's dangerous for a harmonica player, chilli on the fingers gets rubbed onto the lips and your lips BURN,, Ow
Horwellston 1 month ago
I've tried busking a few times, I want to go back to it.. it's a lot easier on the saxophone than on my harmonica.. I find I start playing something and I have difficulty playing anything else well apart for that, 'walter horton's boogie' or 'like sonny boy' etc... And it gets so i can only play one chorus over and over... nerves I suppose. and constantly playing so your lips get sore and dry. And so nervous that you feel like you have to play fast. need to go back to that.
Horwellston 1 month ago
I really enjoyed this video! I could tell you enjoyed looking back on those busking memories. Thanks for the inspiration; really makes me want to get out on the streets of Charleston, SC
alpoisdogfood 1 month ago
What a lovely guy, what a great story. Thanks so much for sharing your gift, your life and your experiences with us.
OlBlueshound 2 months ago
Excellent! :)
isaacullah 3 months ago
Great video Adam! The technique lessons are awesome but there is nothing like finding a 30 min long video of a tried and true, real deal harp man, telling us how it is! These kinds of videos of yours are my personal favorites and I think the you tube community would really appreciate a part 2, 3, 4 and 5 of your busking days! For those that haven't yet, go and get his book... a great read! Thanks Adam.
MYTHIRDSHADOW 3 months ago
Nice one ! Just a request, can you show that mouse amp another ten times, i'm not sure we've got all the angle of view ;-). We definitely wan't the part 2 ...
aymeric106 3 months ago
Thanks for that Adam, I'm still working on getting the balls to busk, but you just took me one step closer. Keep 'em coming. Love what you're doing.
stansnote 3 months ago
Pretty good Adam. Come and jam with me anytime! I like the word busking and have been to Europe so I understand.
Probably all art is a calling and we artists are all crazy. I recently read my poetry on the street with the accompaniment of a banjo player - Eddie, from Eddie and Robin fame. We were there at the occupy wall street scene.
violetwrites 3 months ago
more, please!!! it´s pure gold!
NYoumans 3 months ago
Adam, I just came accross this video and let me tell you it's right in time for I'm making up my mind to become a busker (new word for my book!), though I've already had a few casual experiences. Please, go ahead with Busking 2, 3, 4... lol Thanks a lot, Adam, for I also learnt the most part of my harmonica groundings from you :-)
makilakixki 3 months ago
I busked on the Paris Metro in 1978 or 1979 for about a month. It was a blast! I joined up with a guitar player from Ireland, and a guitar player for Thailand. I save up $ for a ticket to Dublin. I will never forget...
rsherry7 3 months ago
Love it Adam. Great stories, something I can never get enough of from you.
kasperkerber 3 months ago
Adam Gussow. Great bloke. A credit to the world of harmonica. All the harmonica greats that are up there in harmonica heaven smile and bring out their favourite harps whenever he makes a youtube video and jam alongside him. Thanks for all you've done for us over the years Adam.
lovelyjubbaly 3 months ago
I dig these stories :)
belgianwafflz 3 months ago
Adam I have seen "Little Mike & The Tornadoes". I 've seen " Sugar Blue" . Saw "Popa Chubby" live as well. I must say I woulda loved to have seen Poppa Chubby & Adam playing together. That would have been a real treat. I may have seen "Satan & Adam" once. Did you ever busk up in Chicago during the Blues Fest ?
beachidiot 3 months ago
Aw man. One correction: loonie - CA$1; toonie - CA$2.
huachiman7 3 months ago
wow nice testimony !! you really got to know NYC to appreciate your stories. thank for shearing your wisdom
edv177 3 months ago
I am working on a setlist for street busking on harmonica and so far have about 9 songs. But i know i will need at least 20. Any suggestions or maybe you could tell us all what songs you did or work well just on harmonica and singing without accompaniment? Thanks for all the advice.
epworthslim 3 months ago
please continue... Thanks Adam
BlueVooch 3 months ago
I would love to.hear more stories.cant get enough
zyxel2 3 months ago
Loved your book (Satans Apprentice, in case there's more than one).
More videos like this, please.
FredricF 3 months ago
Adam, your youtube and instructional videos have no doubt helped thousands of aspiring harmonicists. There are guys who pay hundreds, or even thousands of dollars a year in lessons to learn the "secrets" that you share with all of us. Thank You.
Siliconmagician 3 months ago
Great video. Thank you for posting.
coop344 3 months ago
i can't wait untill yor doc. come's out
1RAVENGANG52 3 months ago
Hell yeah! I loved that video. I'd love to hear more stories, and also useful tips. I made a living last summer by busking. Playing guitar and singing. I felt the call, like you did, and it was a great, rewarding experience for the most part!
ilutzio 3 months ago
We want much more of this "long and rambling"!
I love hearing stories and you seem to have a whole love of them to share :)
lockstick 3 months ago
I have no ambition to be a street musician but this stuff is still gold. It's motivates me to become better at my art. Thank you Adam!
hepcatjohnny2000 3 months ago
This is gold, Adam, pure gold and as my wife said, listening in, social history. Very inspirational. Definitely would love to see installment II (and more?) Cheers, BronzeWailer
gaijin134 3 months ago
Ohhh Yeah! Can't wait until BUSKING 2 comes out. Great stories.
Jackintheworx 3 months ago
Ended to quickly....looking forward to next chapter
jazztime 3 months ago
Aww, the video is already done? I would have listened to your stories for hours and hours.
Horrormane 3 months ago
Hi Adam,
Thank you very much for all your video and espacially this video. Im 18 years old and i am now prepairing slowly to play on the streets with my guitar and harp. I would love to see more videos about the philosophy of blues sometime.
Thank you very much, you are very inspiring for me and other people!
realbluesnrock 3 months ago 9
Great stories... look forward to the next installment.
SurlyMac 3 months ago
Comment removed
SurlyMac 3 months ago
Lots more please Adam. I'm older than you and have always wanted to busk but never had the nerve. Retired now so lots of time but still no balls. I love to hear tales of life they're the only ones worth listening to. You are delightfully eccentric and your love of the harp is infectious.
Thank you
motorhome52 3 months ago
Loved this Adam, these are things I'm experiencing myself this past 6 months or so, its a great life, highs and lows. Since I've started though, things have taken off, played the Belfastcity Bluesfestival this year, got mentioned on the radio, dedicatin youyr life to music certainly pays off. Like you say, you got to be a little crazy, and I most certainly am that. Bravery too, yeah that comes into it. Big thanks from Northern Ireland :)
DirtyDeck 3 months ago
very interesting.
john956831 3 months ago
thanks adam
1RAVENGANG52 3 months ago
Thanks for this timely video. Busking is not a term known by my local Police and it can not be found in any of the city ordinances.
Spectre8282 3 months ago
MORE! Please?
zardozica 3 months ago
I was wondering how long it would take you to get back to Times Square after your detour to Halifax. LOL. Tangents are fun, especially stories like that.
OmniphonProductions 3 months ago
Last summer, inspired by Satan & Adam, I took my one-man band to the streets of Portland, OR for a couple of days. I made about $10 per hour. More important than money, I made my 6-year-old daughter proud, making a few bucks as a musician, while showing her some of the prettier parts of PDX, which is a very busker friendly city. City ordinances give street performers a lot of liberty, so there's very little police interference. Thanks again for teaching me and inspiring me to get out there.
OmniphonProductions 3 months ago
Stories about street music relate amazingly well to the rest of life. Who knew?
radiocarpal 3 months ago
I'm glad YouTube doesn't limit you to 10 minutes anymore. Nice. Very Nice. :)
nacoran 3 months ago
Great lesson as always Adam, very interesting stuff. It would be great to have another video of you playing the solo harmonica songs you used to play by that time! And for sure Adam, playing in street will probably gives you a gig someday.
AraguaJam 3 months ago
30 minutes was a good intro to it all. Keep telling the tale and giving us the information if there's another 30 min or more to go. This is good stuff. There's only so much common sense anyone can have when they go out to play, and adding to the street smarts of it is extra wisdom. Like SoundOfAnodyne said, when it's a 30 minute Adam video, it's going to be worth the time.
photosexual 3 months ago
great video.... 30 + minutes and you never lost me. I think you oughta continue, for sure :)
cluelocker 3 months ago
right on! i'd love to do it, maybe in europe . I'm still young and would love to have some way of getting something at the places i road trip to. keep it up!
MTDgamez 3 months ago
I see a 30 minute video anywhere else, and I have to wonder if it will be worth the time. I see Adam put a 30 minute video up, and I know he has something to say - something worth listening to.
SoundOfAnodyne 3 months ago 22
continued. The hohner diatonic button accordion is the same physical music. Two tones for each hole, two tones for each button on the accordion. I play a little different than most accordion players, as I use only one row, just like the harp. The accordion gives me three harps with its three rows. I love gospel music. In fact, I thank the Lord every day for the gift of music. Thanks for sharing your gift of a love for music. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
buttonnorteno 3 months ago
A Great Video on Some Great Harp History!! I Loved It! YES, TELL US MORE!
StarBlues101 3 months ago
Adam, I enjoyed your video, as it reminded me of my younger days. I played street music for many years. Not necessarily for money mostly for enjoyment, any money was just frosting on the cake. I enjoyed tunnels for the re-verb effect, also parking garages, etc. I have played in Spain, Russia, even in a jail cell as they missed the harp as they checked my pockets for weapons. The harp was cupped in my hand. I played a hohner harp then and have morphed into a hohner button diatonic accordion
buttonnorteno 3 months ago
Most of the time when I play in the street(I never play with an amp or try to get payed, the cops are real knee breakers here.) I get looks like " Lord wheres a cops when ya need one !" At lest it seems i get more of them kinda looks then smiles & kind words ...Yet I keep doing it ,its a sickness. Great video !!! Thank for posting it................Doc
rdocray13 3 months ago
Great vid Adam, well all of your vids are very good. But I really enjoyed this one, and would love to hear/see Busking pt 2
dspecht40 3 months ago
Adam, watching this video was as enjoyable as reading Satan's Apprentice! It was great hearing this story, and I just might be that one person you were talking about. But, I'm 73 years old so I guess I'll do this in my dreams and the picture you just painted makes the dream real.
fluteplayer38 3 months ago