Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed (Gussow.000)

[HerdingCats2]

Hello Adam, there was supposed to be a comment with this video, thanks for all the help you've been and inspiring me to play more, Steven

[stefanvanettinger]

Awesome!

I ve been watching your vids for a long long time, just because I loved the blues, now about 6 months later I decided to buy a Hohner Special 20 C, and Im gonna try to learn you stuff!

Sounds awesome, ty for keeping the blues alive.. seriously .. thank you

[treblotj]

Dearest Adam,

I am starting with your first, and pledging to learn all I can. I asked for a set of Three good blues harps from Hoehner, and they arrived for Christmas.  So here I go on this journey. Thanks so much for being our guide!

Rev. Joel T.

Decatur, GA

[BebeZoso67]

Complimenti...very fantastic...

[Tompey2009]

Wow, I found your first video. Awesome.

[TenPukaMan]

adam, thanks for revealing your secrets of the blues harp. i bought my first harp in 1969, but it was 10 "black holes" of musical mystery. so i put it away and returned to my trek of taming the guitar.

fast forward 40 years to 2009. things have changed. the internet, youtube, and discovering your blues harp vids. they have been searchlights into the 10 "black holes" that have allowed me to have micro-epiphanies which have lead to a macro-addiction to harp. "puka" is hawaiian for "hole." aloha

[yowusupeverybody]

this is guy is hilarious

[bombolo00]

Can you tell me what's your harmonica key in this video?

[addonizio4philly]

your amazing...im putting and hour a day..bought a beginner book, key of C marine band, and im giving it my all, i got my inspriation from g. love, i feel that this a calling for me, if you have any pointers please any advice would be awesome, peace n love

[KudzuRunner]

@addonizio4philly: Just check out my website, Modern Blues harmonica, especially the "quick start for beginners" page.

[schtippz]

i got your beginner level lesson pack two days ago and i can already hear a huge improvement. i had dabbled for years without knowing anything, including how bad i was. now it's like the light got turned on.

[thinisha]

after that....i trust you with my life..this is exactly what im looking for haha defiantly in tune ;)

[kristophershaun]

good intro to the series can't wait to continue on

[yoncofi]

Muchas Gracias por esta tremenda iniciativa, vivo en una ciudad al fin del mundo en donde no conozco ni se de nadie que toque harmonica, ni mucho menos de esta manera, llevo el blues en el alma y la harmonica me eriza los pelos cada vez que la escucho de alguien como tu. Esta es mi oportunidad para aprender a tocarla y la de muchos otros que ojalá tengan la suerte de encontrarse con esta serie de videos.

Gracias de corazón.

[MadelDeMal]

Because you haven't been told so (on this video at least) in about 3 weeks...thank you!

I've just started playing tonight (about 20 minutes ago) and I feel quite lucky that I've stumbled across your channel so early. Whenever I've mentored anyone on what little I'm good at I've found it useful to note those...well...subtleties of whatever "art" is being mentored. It's great to have found someone else who finds those little things as important, and who is willing to share :)

So. Thank you :)

[bluetche]

"A small step for a man, but a giat leap for mankind".

I just don´t have any words to express what this short lessons did to my entire LIFE, 2 years after i discovered it.

...

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks! I was a crazy dude who nothing about lighting when I made this first video, but sometimes ignorant people end up stumbling into productive places that more polished producers don't. It pays to take risks! Glad I helped put you on the journey...........

[libertyjay]

I accidentally found one of your later videos (about prepping the reeds to help overblows). I've been learning for about 2 years (it's 2010 now) and I'm going to start at the beginning of your videos. So much better than learning from books or trial-and-error.. or the great mysteries! Thanks for all your hard work on this project!

[black27696]

I've played in Jazz bands, I've always loved music in most forms (jazz, blues, rock, swing, etc.). Is Gussow the best harmonica player on youtube? Yes.

[aliciahostclub]

Tengo una armónica de 40 celdas en total, creen que pueda servirme para aprender blues?

[Irmin]

Te recomiendo que empieces con una diatónica de 10 celdas afinada en C. Las hay muy económicas. Las que estoy usando ahora son de Hohner (MarineBand y BluesHarp) pero cualquier otra diatónica en C sirve para empezar.

Te recomiendo una página en español que tal vez te sirva: todoarmonica punto org. Tiene ejercicios y es bastante completa.

Ánimo y espero haber ayudado.

[JohnCuchta]

I've probably practiced along with each video twice so far, well, at least the non-single-song ones. I feel yet another run through will hammer the itty bitty details into my head. So where else to comment better than the very first one!

[LesYeuxDeDarius]

That was so damn cool ...

Funny, everytime I don't feel like try to play I just watch one of your vids, It's an motivation to get better ^ ^

[GrumpyOldDude90]

:O .

[NicIsNotANinja]

yeah, just saw your 92nd tutorial video and realised how good your lessons are. I cant do anything on the harmonica atm but hopefully i'll be able to stick with your video series and learn to play well.

[topshot94]

holy crap you rock can't wait to keep on learning

[superninjaswordsmen]

My friend told me to go here to from videos so I can learn. I hold this helps with my school's Jazz band.

[OUfan49]

Thanks so very much for the great "give away". I've been teaching saxophone and clarinet lessons for years and all I ever "charge" my students is PRACTICE TIME. They start to get it after about the 3 or 4th lesson. Your doing a great thing here, Bravo to you.

Another thing - not sure of the quality but Hohner offers a set of harps the "Piedmont Blues Set" that retails for about 30 bucks. Not promoting them just thought it was a pretty good beginners buy.

Keep playin' man, your great.

[arcadiandelsol]

My grandfather passed away some time ago, and my grandmother asked me if, before she unloaded all of his musical equipment, if there was something I wanted - I asked for his old harmonica he would play every time I was there, and I wanted to learn so I could play it for MY grandchildren some day.

I cannot thank you enough for this series of videos.

[G00ms]

Adam

Does this tune is appropriate for an advanced beginner or is it a bit hard to try it.

[CountyLineGaming]

Wow, thanks so much for doing this. I'm planning on getting a set soon and a holder to do some Bob Dylan songs. But doing blues too will be great.

[tylerbgoode]

Is it true that playing harmonica every day adds five years to your life?

[felipon412]

thank you some much!!!! this is exactly good spirit of generosity!!!, especially for people that want to learn harmonica but they can't because they live in a country where they don't teach us so many instruments. thanks a lot, I really appreciate this contribution!!!

greetings from ecuador!!

[KayNyne13]

Wow..one day i'll be able to do this too..i'll work hard. I've been playing harmonica for years but only freestyling, i cant read the music, and i'm not sure at all about bending. I wanna start all over again, truly learn the good ol' blues. I'll study your videos. Big big thanks!!

[JillieUA]

I'm a 20 year old female, I'd really love to learn harmonica. Someone told me to check out your videos. I would like to emulate the blues style you use in your videos, but I'm also interested in emulating Bob Dylan. I've heard from different people that his style isn't hard, anyway, any suggestions on the type of harp to get? B flat? How much do those run? About $30? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[KudzuRunner]

I've never learned how to play Dylan's stuff, amazingly, and can't help you in that direction. Hopefully somebody else can.

[robw1031]

So true, the hardest part of playin' the blues is making something so simple sound interesting. As the old sayin' goes "The blues, its the easiest music to learn but the hardest to master". I was at Blind Willies (Atlanta) the other night visiting with some musician buds and there was a band there that after the 3rd song they lost me. Each song sounded just like the other. 3 cords work, but you had better learn some creative was of phrasing the progressions or you will lose your audience.

[ForMontreal]

Man, you're awesome! Thank you so much, I've been struggling trying to learn harmonica for months, and you're the best help I've ever come across.

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks! You've got another 165 videos to go......

[HarpMastery]

What Song should i play for you, Adam?

[equalfairness1]

I have some free time since i was laid off at work, how long do you suppose it would take me to get through all your videos? what is a healthy rate to go through them? 2 videos a day?

[KudzuRunner]

Heck, I don't know. It depends how good your powers of concentration are and how much of a harp addict you are. Go by feel. Make sure you've got a B-flat harp; you may also want a C, B-flat, and D harp, since I use those from time to time.

[equalfairness1]

Thanks! yeah, I went out and bought a Bb, and then randomly checked out a later lesson and you were using a different harp and I said "damn". haha, but I think it's good to play different keys to learn. I have a Bb and a C right now. Thanks again for the sweet lessons!

[Zdravko7]

you are amazing! thank you so much for sharing your knowledge..

[FARIN1992]

"stay tuned..."  LOL!!!

[DogaTheGrall]

which harmonica do you use in this video?

[Jaysun325]

Teach us the harmonica solo in "Hook" by Blues Traveler and I'll subscribe!

[mkg08c]

blues is blind to color man. a brown bear could play the blues.

[avalandril]

No offense but comments were meant yo be made by people who had the smarts to know what they were talking about and not some brainless git.

[littlejimmy92]

it's never about the man playin it. it's about the sound you can hear.

[sknBcm9]

I have to get over my aversion to some things 'Satan' now. I am very impressed with your playing and these videos! Hopefully we can destroy the Harp Sucking 'Wannabes' and the mastery and respect is restored to Harp Players everywhere. ( Ya also gotta check out 'Harpsuckers' amp&mic vids, people.)

[detroitbluesguy]

You are doing more to help folks learn harmonica and love the blues..great job. JC

[HarpChicken]

one of the best, or maybe the greatest teacher 4 harp. don't you all think that now everyone can simply learn an instrument with web so without spending many bucks 4 schools ext??? go on adam

[guitarmandoguy]

I just discovered your videos and have just watched the first two and am so impressed with your efforts to share your harp knowledge. I will be 'absorbing' your videos in the days to come. Very inspirational and instructional stuff. I also love your comfortable, yet earnest manner of teaching. I can tell you're a teacher (professor).

[patoska]

gracias Adam!

ídolo!

[Kilovolver]

Thanks for this series Mr, you are a true bluesman and you´re really making the world a better place to live with this. Greetings from Venezuela

[Hendrixleft]

adam your the man, i love watching your vids to learn and just to watch your entertaining and you have a lot of love and you inspire me... thanks man!!!

[Hoollmgren]

Hi Adam iám frome Sweden. About 14 days im going to take my first Harmonica (munspel) lesson and im gratefull for all the tips to be a good marmonica musician as you are.

/Holmgren

[RoseLoewenzahn]

Dear Adam! I have upload a Youtube-Video with the title: "Thankyou to Adam Gussow" from RoseLoewenzahn. Please look at this video! I want to say thank you in this way. I am a beginner, and I learn from your great lessons. Thank you so much! Rose from Germany

[MarcTwyman]

I am really digging these videos. Thanks for sharing the "subtleties" Great Stewardship!

[horasdispersas]

Hi Adam,

Ideas not coupled with action never become bigger than the brain cells they occupied.

Thanks for all.

[pueblamanda]

Someone can say to me in that tone is the harmonica that he uses?¿?

please

[chalino19]

b flat

[BXC747]

Depends on the video, he uses C too.

[pueblamanda]

Someone can say to me in that tone this harmonica that he uses

[1Dambo1]

man u can ply which i could play like that

[MisterPignose]

I had to come back to ground zero and start here after realizing how important the fundementals are...thanks to the professor!

[motorheadrules1988]

thanks, adam! i really appreciate what you've done!

[InvokeMax]

Thank you...

You are a legend...

[KudzuRunner]

I don't know about all that, but I'm definitely energetic.

[LIPSHIGGS]

neat video by all means, I have been playing harps for 34 years and you are good keep it up man.

[regullick]

Your generosity amazes me!

[QuillRoots]

hey, just wanted to say thanks for the lessons man, these lessons are pure gold. You have helped my playing greatly. I've even impressed a few girls with some of your tunes. That alone is worth a donation, I'm logging on your site right now to show my appreciation. Stay cool brotha.

[KudzuRunner]

Thanks Quill. I may be the only person who sees your handle and thinks: Henry Qualls? Texas songster who played the quills and is arguably one of the key blues/roots guys.

[axeman50612]

Dude, I love what you're doing. I gotta give you mad respect. You are AWESOME!

I'm a guitar player from IA, and I mostly play acoustic country stuff right now, but I've been gettin into Mississippi John Hurt and other delta guit blues. I got one of those things to play harp & guit at the same time, but I don't know that much harp.

You are immensely helpful and inspiring. Shine on, dude.

[CrossSection]

I'm trying to learn just a solo rhythm to play along with a song. The solo is from a live version of Magic Bus by The Who. Its not complicated, but im trying to learn a few tricks I can put in. I am really new, dont really know how to bend, and just play whatever sounds nice to me. Any suggestions?

[AldenMarquette]

I am young musician myself and picked up a harmonic this afternoon. Checked out some theory which lead me to you eventually. Thank you for these, I'm looking forward to learning from you. I'm starting from scratch with this baby. Bass is my instrument but lately I've gotten into using my voice as well. The harmonica just seems like the right instrument for this time in my musical development, honing in on breath control and the likes! I sincerely thank you!

[hiroshimafinn]

Thank You for these videos! I really think that this is what you need when you know things about the harp, but still can't figure things out on your own. The blues is sharing (and cutting heads ofcourse)and that's how you learn. Thank You for making that wealth of knowledge available for us who aspire to be musicians and harpists.

[alfo2000]

your the man

[LiquidCrystalz]

ive got my first harp and cleverly i didnt really bother with the key so i got it in D, is that ok?¿?

[KudzuRunner]

That's OK--in fact, I often start beginners out on a D harp--but you won't be able to get anything from most of these lessons, since they're conducted on a B-flat harp.

[hughesy4444]

i need help! i really want to play and i dont know were to start. im very advanced on the guitar and i would love to play the harmonica to acompany the guitar!

[LiquidCrystalz]

yay

[WhitePaws]

Your harmonica sounds amazing... beautiful...

Thank you really.

I'm getting my first harmonica tomorrow if I can. A Lee Oskar in major C, and I'll try to follow your lessons. Thankyou.

[KudzuRunner]

Most of my YouTube lessons--including this one, I believe--were made on a B-flat, not a C. You may want to pick up one of those, too.

[xfuzzymuzzyx]

Thankyou very much

[Krullerulle]

so you think its best i i start with -B?

[KudzuRunner]

There's no "best," really. I just decided to be different and use B-flat rather than the obvious C. B-flat is a fine harp key; it's certainly just as good for beginners as C. But I can't justify my decision, except to say that I had a great-sounding B-flat harp and decided to use it.

[Krullerulle]

What kind of harmonica should i begin with a C? i also noticed there is -C so im kinda confused

[KudzuRunner]

I believe that I play a B-flat on this video and in most of the others.

[tjo513]

DANG GINA ..This dude can play! Adam, I'm a relatively new listener catching you on some blues compilations here and there I'm learnin so much from your videos they are really well done. Luv to see you play out Hopefully you make your way to toga ny sometime

[nwvkxc]

Wow, you are great, Adam. My whole life I've been looking for an instrument that is cheap and easy to pick up but impossible to master, and I think I've found it. It is also really fun and I love blues. Not only that, I am an English-Creative Writing major, and is great to see that I can live this lifestyle! Thanks for everything, Adam, and I will be watching and learning.

[KudzuRunner]

This lifestyle is one I've written about in great (and sexy) detail in MISTER SATAN'S APPRENTICE. Abandon hope all who enter here, as the sign sez.

[Mueleski]

Outstanding! I will be watching and studying all your videos. Unlike a dog, you can teach an old Harp player new tricks! Thanks for being willing to share your experience.

[tenbarsteam]

Hi Adam

What a breath of fresh air to find this stuff. Even though I'm in the UK I've been a big fan since I bought your book a few years ago. I've been playing a long while but I've still much to learn. Over here it is hard to find a good teacher and I can't wait to set off on this journey with you. Thanks again for your spirit.

[KudzuRunner]

Received with gratitude. And a long and unpredictable journey it is.

[the47ronin]

thanks for the lessons, I truly appreciate it! you are great :)

[ripvan80]

Adam, better lighting and a higher angle for the cam, and you are in business. --WH

[KudzuRunner]

WH: Right you are. It took me the first two or three lessons to figure that out. Then the learning curve began.

[ksmatthews]

Great stuff, I think I can learn so much from these videos, and I want to say a "Great big thanks" and keep up the good work.

Harp'in in Texas,

ksmatt

[rnsonmt]

Long time in need for this guy to come around!!! I have learned more in these few lessons, then in 15 years! The man can jam... let's face it!

[nomoboy]

Adam teaches at Jon's camps and it doesn't really matter what HE thinks about it, you've got Jon's stuff, what do YOU think about it?

I couldn't play if my life depended on it, but now I can play some decent blues because of Jon Gindick's Rock and Blues Harmonica book/cd....

[KudzuRunner]

I think that everybody who has enjoyed my free-form lessons here should pony up $495 and come on down to Tampa in mid-June to party/study with Jon, me, and the rest of the coaches and campers. Jon's got a great thing going, and I'm delighted to be a part of it.

[pagmatic]

Been enjoying all your videos:) I need to watch them over and over and let it all soak in.

One question: For us beginners: could you "give it all away" for what we can learn? I bought John Gindick's Rock and Blues Harmonica book/cd. Lots of people have told me it was a mistake to get it; that he teaches it all wrong. What do you think?

[jessgoguen]

You sound so great bud! My bf and I just bought a harmonica in the key of G. We have so much fun just playing around, making all kinds of kewl l'il tiny tiny blues riffs, but anyhoo. I'm so happy you're here!! :) Thanks so much for passing your passion along and for inspiring our love of blues! :) Oh, which key is your harmonica here anyway? ;) Best wishes and looking forward to checking out all your videos with love :)

[KudzuRunner]

I pretty much stick to a B-flat Marine Band harp for all the early videos, then switch to a D for "Thunky Fing" in .011-013. I should actually run through all of them at some point, just to do that. Each harp key has a different personality.

[jesusharptattoo]

Thanks to you, I have just received my first harplesson

[nomoboy]

Thanks for sharing, Adam

[panamaharp]

Great idea Adam. Still working on the stuff from Jax. Looking forward to the rest of the lessons.

Gus

[Harpsucker]

fantastic series, i look forward for more

[laughingsam]

Excellent! Thanks Adam!

[airmojo]

I'm looking forward to your videos, Adam!

I enjoyed reading your book "Mr Satan's Apprentice". I plan on passing it on to a fellow harp player at this year's Columbus Buckeye Festival.

[harpgear]

Great Stuff Adam! Thanks for all you do for the harmonica community!