first blues harmonica song (for beginners)

Every blues harmonica student needs to begin somewhere. Here is a step-by-step lesson that gets you playing your first REAL blues song. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
If you want more detailed study on this song, I've got a video lesson and a tab for sale:
video: www.tradebit.c...
tab: www.tradebit.c...
Here are two beginner's packages that will help you build on what I've shown you in this video:
Modern Blues Harmonica beginner's special:
www.tradebit.c...
Modern Blues Harmonica beginner's deluxe:
www.tradebit.c...
There's much more for beginners on my website:
www.modernblues...
T-shirts:
www.modernblues...

[@s.spambot9095]

I'm learning how to play the harmonica to cheer the trenches up when I get drafted for WWIII

[@Testament.p.w]

Ive ben on it for 3 days now. I got 2 songs down lamo. Same reason

[@s.spambot9095]

@@Testament.p.w how do you manage? I'm struggling with single notes (3 days experience as well). Some days they sound awesome some other awful.

[@Testament.p.w]

I have binged all kinds of ways of playing i just found the deep bite method works for me. With your bottom lip make a u its alot easier to bend notes.

[@Testament.p.w]

Harmonica com. Hes a cool old hippy guy he will show you.

[@s.spambot9095]

@@Testament.p.w so have I haha I've been to every harmonica beginners videos in yt I believe. I just don't know, some days everything sounds great and some others it sounds like shit. Yesterday I was learning to draw 2nd and not get it to sound like if my harmonica had cancer and when I finally managed all the other notes sounded like shit. So I figured I just need more practice

[@giusepperesponte8077]

God I love this instrument. It’s starting to become literally all I think about, the only time I’m not playing is when I physically can’t, like during meals. The left side of my upper lip is rubbed raw, I put paper tape on it rather than stopping, I seriously can’t get enough. I was outside in the cold for 4 hours yesterday because my family couldn’t tolerate my practice in the house anymore 😂

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You, sir, are a harmonica player. Anybody who ever got good on the instrument knows exactly where you're coming from.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Totally understand!! I'm an obsessive weirdo myself! But that makes us great musicians 😁😎🤘

[@kyliecashion3740]

I understand! I play while my toddler dances to it and my bottom lip is feeling raw. My mom doesn't care to here the practice lol but the finished product she'll love! (I played drums growing up, so I understand her not wanting to hear the same thing played over and over haha)

[@bradlyhenson1814]

I tried Tongue Blocking, STILL can't do it yet, feels like I Spent 30 Minutes just Biting My Tongue. 😝🤣

[@elymolloy8333]

i recently inherited my dads harmonicas after he passed this Feb... i bought them all for him through the years, he never really could play them but he loved them so very much, i guess im going to learn how.... i reckon ill watch your videos to do so... subbed and thanks.

[@d-ro3266]

Ely Molloy I’m so sorry for your loss🙏 Good luck learning!

[@jeffgoggin]

Reading this on Father's Day 2020 about to head over to dad's with his gift... a Hohner Blues Harp :) Hopefully we can learn a tune

[@codcape1]

Adam THANK YOU! Stage 4, in the 70’s Glad I found you. U;m hooked!

[@djrickmendez255]

Learning by ear is my life being that I'm totally blind! It was very helpful when you were singing the notes outloud. This lesson was awesome! Got it real quick. Had to like and subscribe immediately! I wish you were in New York city, or I was there without that wasp, so I can learn with you. LOL Truly appreciate the videos!

[@manuelcardona7872]

If ur blind how do you write

[@solame10101]

@@manuelcardona7872 Voice perhaps? Or simply has someone to help.

[@fraudioc]

@@manuelcardona7872 what an ass

[@MrHarsh3600]

@@manuelcardona7872 he is faking it for the likes man

[@gabrielvalencia1287]

@@fraudioc its a pretty good question, i'm curious too

[@ldees7393]

You made this video 4 years ago and it's still teaching people:) I've been watching your lessons and learning, but this is my first actual blues song! Thanks Adam...and Happy New Year 2021!

[@jambutty2218]

If you teach yourself timing. You will have the foundation to learn the techniques to play the instrument or any other. My Dad who is a drummer, after asking him to teach me drums. Said count to four over again. Tap your thighs if it’s possible. The taps or beats should be the same pressure and the same distance apart. You can practice this in your head when you get the chance. When you hear music on the radio or anywhere, practice counting the one, on the first beat then the snare is more commonly hit on the three. When you walk you can count your footsteps in the same manner. Do this enough and when you can and eventually you will notice you don’t have to count anymore. Then you have timing, it’s important to practice getting it accurate. Use a metronome app to check.

[@peacelovingmusicwarrior5823]

Fancy self isolating with me and teaching me this?You are brilliant.Thank you from Scotland.I will update you as I'm picking this up a lot faster than I thought thanks to you.I'M 40 now so ill be 80 by the time I can play like you.Love your style with the way you do your videos, so natural and funny.Thanks again.

[@darrenhirst9900]

well they won't get you noise complaints like bag pipes😂

[@kendramcleod6492]

I am loving this.....picked up my late fathers harmonica he left me....know that bit you said a bigginer wouldnt get.....I got it.!!!!..I am beginning to feeling the joy my father did....I have had the insrument 3 years and never picked it up until this week xx

[@richardfromcornwall5492]

Showing those 'pucker' lips has been really helpful to me as a silver haired beginner whose harmonica arrived only 10 days ago. As a result, I can now play single notes. Thank you

[@dragonspecpc]

I bought the lesson before finding this lol. The video lesson is so old, only 420p quality. Played the lesson for nearly 3 hours today. Still need to work on memorizing the holes. Been playing one of your other vids, that was only 2 thru 4. So my glissando sucks. Never end right on 6, and when I do hit it, it's usually a 5,6 double stop lol. Picked up a lesson for Low Rider on KZbin that was a single note lesson. That really helped me for learning Floyd's Hotel. Been playing 4 days, and can play along with a jam track. Having loads of fun so far. Just need to find a comfortable hold for my giant lips and giant fingers to share on lol. 34 years old, disabled, living in Ohio. Finally getting back to playing music after many years of withdrawal from it. Played 8 years of trombone. Guess that gives me a foot up on the diaphragm game.

[@timothyheup9352]

I've been a beginner for about 15 years. I appreciate your step by step explanation of the fundamentals and details needed to learn this. Your comment about humor and the hard work required really hit home for me because I know that the reason I'm still a beginner after all these years is because I haven't put in the work I needed to. I want lesson to be what changes me. Thank you, Adam.

[@salihasimov]

it feels so good when i realise that i can really play something.. i just feel fantastic at the 3 draw and 2 draw part.. it feels like i own the world, beautiful. thanks to you Adam, you are the man. i love you

[@mew3766]

Same here, the 3 draw 2 draw makes me feel like I'm playing blues.

[@darrenhirst9900]

@@mew3766 When you play blues harmonica it plays like grandpa coming round the mountain. The store owner tells you its not broken and you need to learn how to bend son. Then that coming round the mountain turns blues and grandpa just got cool. Its bragging rights and I know its pride but Jesus lord it was hard to learn so please let me brag about this. 😂

[@williamkrausejr2149]

At 53 I’ve just started learning the harmonica to go along with my guitar playing. Your videos are great!! Thanks for presenting things for a beginner in such a way that we can jump right in and accomplish small things that build the motivation to learn more. Needless to say I’ve subscribed to your channel and look forward to all of your videos.

[@harmonicamanrandy]

A lot of this advice works well for seasoned players too. If you want to be a master, you have to master the basics. Thanks Adam once again for getting back to the roots.

[@beernut6153]

Thanks for posting these videos. I’ve been playing for a week or so and listening to you and practicing has made a huge difference in a week’s time. I think you have the best instruction for harmonica on KZbin. Thanks again.

[@ecalzo]

I'm here too .. watching and learning your legacy 3 years later .. thank you sir ..

[@bahons72]

For my stage of learning, this has been a really great lesson, from the UK, thanks very much Adam Gusscow.

[@michaeldevlin2685]

One two ready go. Thanks Adam really helpful lesson.👍

[@danestrada2522]

Thank you for the content. Your content is fun and energizing. As a beginner, this has been the best channel/book i have come across. The songs i was doing in my beginners book were such a drag and now i cant get enough.

[@jasonconrad9212]

I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner, more towards the intermediate. I love all of your videos! I’m buying my niece a harp for this Christmas. She already plays trumpet and French horn. I think it would be something great to teach her what I know and probably work off each other. This will definitely be something I want to teach her (and myself)

[@gokuldaspai2984]

Thank you sir, I have been practicing this song for almost 2 weeks and finally I think I got it. You are a great teacher and hope to learn more songs from your videos. I just started learning harmonica a month ago.

[@jodybliss5725]

I've only dabbled in playing harmonica. Really appreciate your teaching style. I'm similar in that way as ski teacher. Hope all your listeners appreciate what you are doing for them. A class act. Will watch and practice...

[@stephenearnshaw6198]

Brilliant lesson. Not just informative but entertaining as well. Thank you Adam

[@rogerking8959]

A great Lesson helping understand the 12 bar blues too

[@robertdawson8522]

I used to have a custom t shirt that said"No One Eats It Like Harmonica Players".

[@kyliecashion3740]

Thank you for the free lessons! I could play this within an hour of practice! Just need to work on where my holes are lol you're great! I'm learing so fast! If I think less about it and feel it, I sound much better!

[@quovadis7119]

Thanks Adam. Appreciated - from Durban , South Africa.

[@leebaseball11]

Lived in Water Valley, Mississippi for a year or so when I was young. Best memory was hitting the tornado shelter and worrying about the dog we left behind. Yes, all was fine. Just got into it a month or so ago and have been amazed how much better I am getting. It's fun to practice, as opposed to the guitar. With this success is a little faster.

[@MikeSevon]

My favorite version,ever!

[@bradlyhenson1814]

I have been Playing for 3 Months Now Teaching Myself to Play and Grabbing Tips Here and There. First Song I Learned was Chicken Train by Ozark Mt. Daredevils. I would Listen to that Song over and Over. I find it Interesting You Tell People to Sing through the Harmonica, I started out sort of Talking through it and Using the TAK TAKA Methods many Teach. 😎

[@johnmirabile3535]

iiiii knowwwww youuuuuu! HEY GOOD TO SEE YOU STILL ROCKIN THEM BLUES!

[@jeffgoggin]

That simple call and response bit was way more fun than it should have been!!! Thanks for the fun!

[@Koolibri33]

I can’t find the right words to thank you for all this effort and all this passion you show on your vids , your teachings have immediate effect and the lessons are formidably simple but very strategic , i live and love blues trough out my daily life and i was about to go find the man on the crossroad before i found you on the net . Thank you sir .

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks for that great comment. I'm glad my videos strike you in that way.

[@Koolibri33]

Gussow's classic blues harmonica videos they sure did sir thank you so much and please keep it up !!!!

[@SplittTwig]

this was pretty fun. i finally learned how to bend and im slowly getting better at hitting just one hole because of practicing this all the time. Thanks so much!!

[@jaciobe]

LOVED LEARNING TNIS TODAY!

[@professorpopkiss]

Thank you Adam.

[@benjaminhartley615]

I absolutely have enjoyed your videos! So glad I stumbled upon you! I will say tuned in. I'm learning and loving it. Thanks

[@Marko77Vlav]

Thank you sooo much. Just recently started playing and was sort of lost in what I should be doing I learned your three hole jazz rhythm and now I’ve learnt this song love how you add a homemade touch to your videos! Thanks for your help and keep it up.

[@MemoxWasHere]

Great content as always, thank you for your time Adam. You're the best teacher out there, in my humble opinion. By the way if someone is having problems with the scooping try with the syllables "kya", "ka" or "qua" (even though i found out they're actually better for other holes, like the 4th.)

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Excellent point. I like "qua." Wish I'd thought of that! But that's definitely worth trying.

[@SuperWaynethepain]

I'm considering paying for his course. Great teacher and I'm becoming good

[@stevenmustchin193]

massive thank you for showing the main special things tin this hormony thing ! subbed and shared

[@mew3766]

Many thanks Adam, here I am at 57 trying to pick up another instrument. This lesson makes me feel like I will do it. Recovering from surgery on both knees, lots of time to practice.

[@spacejumanji5266]

So how did you go?

[@ianblack3994]

Thanks Adam really enjoy your videos, and with out a tab sheet gets you thinking as well

[@Emerald-Cactus]

You are a very good instructor. Thank you for your time.

[@jensrombouts]

"I'll edit that out later" --> 2 years later on youtube :D

[@rogerking8959]

Always great to revisit this lesson...

[@hbena3747]

Sounds like it should sound. You got itin your soul.

[@dennisnorton3418]

Just love this guy, so easy to follow.

[@dilemmix]

I love this as my 1st harmonica lesson, thank you! I have a question though and if anyone can help me I'd be grateful! I get lost in the counting, i.e. where the bars begin and end. I've worked it out like this but think I'm misplacing or missing beats esp at the very end as there seems to be no rests in between the end of the song and where Gussow starts over again. Here is my layout, please help sort out my mistakes, lol! B stands for Blow, D for Draw. First bar: 1=6B, 2=5D, 3=4D 4=Rest. Second bar: 1=6B, 2=5D, 3=4D, 4=3D+3D. Third bar: 1=2D, 2=Rest, 3=Rest, 4=3D+3D. Fourth bar: 1=2D, 2=Rest, 3=Rest, 4=Rest. Repeat 4 bars above, so now you’ve played 8 bars. I 'think' I got these right but the problem seems to be in the next part, esp the 11th and 12th bars. Ninth bar: 1=4D, 2=5D+4D, 3=5D+4D, 4=Rest. Tenth bar: 1=6B, 2=5D, 3=4D, 4=3D+3D. Eleventh bar: 1=2D, 2=Rest, 3=Rest, 4=3D+3D. Twelfth bar: 1=2D, 2=1D+1D, 3=Rest, 4=Rest?? (I don't hear a rest here as he begins with the first bar STRAIGHT after playing the first two counts of this twelfth bar??

[@davidmelton1682]

Fantastic lesson. Drawn (excuse the pun) here after watching the Satan & Adam documentary. Loved it!

[@livingtheapocalypse8248]

Great lesson to bring on a turn around thanks Adam much appreciated

[@Shifty1050]

Despite verging slightly on “whiplash “ territory I’ve subbed. I’m looking forward to checking out more of your vids when my harmonica arrives tomorrow. Thanks for the my initial introduction.

[@maykesprong]

Thanks Adam! You're amazing!

[@Raulo707]

I just had to go back and hear this again.. I remember when I couldnt play it , now Im curious if I slow down the tempo ... Lol ...Respect to our Teacher , Gussow

[@jasonyoung5268]

Love your videos man

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I forgot the fun and then frustration of learning a new instrument...deep breaths now...

[@khourytalal]

you're really great... really :)

[@martinlomas6706]

Love this beginners blues song, please keep posting more of these. They're keeping me trying to learn the blues.

[@larrykierzkowski9454]

Thank you, let's get er done.

[@ttrww]

Hi Adam Im beginner's blues harmonica I love blues. Im following and try to blues man

[@Tattoobart147]

This is what I needed! A cool and fairly simple lick. A more fun way to practice a little bit of that blues scale I am practicing. Thanks a whole lot for all your cool videos! You are a big inspiration.

[@davidhater6135]

you are awesome Adam thanx for al the help...

[@toddollivier7066]

'onya mate, I love your videos, I really enjoy how you make it easy and fun to learn.

[@michelbrassard4647]

I have been watching you video for few days. When you are cupping, I see you finger tap all the time. I am sure you are keeping time and probably with your feet as well. True or False. Keep up the good work. I started learning guitar at 48, and now at the same age as you, I am suddenly hit with the blues harmonica. Thank you for inspiring me to expand my musical horizon.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

The finger-tapping thing is something that just happens. It doesn't serve any musical function, really. It's just a tic--something I do that I can't control. So I just let it happen.

[@milliemura-hita9135]

Teena koe thank you Adam you are very good tutor.

[@albertoj685]

I love harmonica after this video I promise you have new harmonica player thanks

[@matte620]

Thank you Adam, as a struggeling beginner who can only play a few children songs, this is one of the most valuable lession i found so far. The diffrent bars aren't to complex with crazy off beat notes or 8th notes changing between draw and blow note. Great to get better timing and time to breathe with the rest. I'am still struggeling with line 9, but your(my) singing helped a lot to break it down. Through this song i can also improve on the beginners 2 draw problem comming down from the 3 draw bend. I appreciate all your videos. I love it when you talk about the music theory. For me the harmonica makes it come alive. Do you have some tipps or maybe you could do a video on how to improve on timing? Maybe how to phrase diffrent timings. Like the Ta-te in the amazing shuffle rhythm. Sorry for my bad english. Greetings from Germany

[@rosendochavarria9439]

thanks , very fast , greetings Oaxtepec Morelos Mexico

[@0paulovictor0]

thank you for those tips...every single video that I watch here helps me a lot. By the way I'm from Brazil

[@sharadchandra4199]

Amazing sir

[@staudinga]

This was a great lesson. I kinda got stuck after learning to play single notes, and trying to learn bending, but this lesson got me back to playing something that actually sounds good. (okay, it *will* sound good as soon as I practice a bit more :) )

[@mew3766]

Staudinka, I did the same, got stuck on those same things, and found this and now can play it!

[@eversvegas3198]

Thank you very much! I really like this song!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@jacebeleren1703]

My first actual song instead of kinda noodlin, was Repeal Of The Licensing Laws by The Pogues. Quite similar to Oh Susanna, just liked the rhythm and the feel of it more.

[@nicolabeccati7688]

ciao adam sei un grandissimo harmonicista blues grazie per le bellee lezioni che ci stai regalando!!!!!!T.V.B......

[@swedenharmonica2076]

So useful, best 👍🏻👍🏻⭐⭐

[@bernardmorel2522]

Thank's Harp. teacher I'll get ONE 'nd more. Mr GUSSOW

[@normandoaraujo08]

Thanks

[@darrenhirst9900]

Satan said the boy sure could play but he couldn't hold his Liquor😂 Adam sir thank you for your service.

[@docsavagefan2795]

Great lesson. Thanks

[@ElargrtPabloAR]

Thanks, i am starting and this it's very useful

[@swedenharmonica2076]

Best ever 👍🏻⭐⭐⭐⭐🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@ameenabdulrahman2128]

Great great stuff sir thanks a lot

[@ffricke1]

you are very good with instruction Thanks so much

[@harmonicahero1]

Terrific lesson, happy to subscribe good sir!

[@jamesv.3872]

thanks for sharing sir, this makes me feel i will make it sooner than later

[@pjo1964]

Instead of running out of air my lungs got too full and I had to let some out😂

[@ferr3iro145]

YEAH xDDD

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes. That's because cross harp, the standard "blues" way of playing harp, is all about draw notes on the low holes. You need to find a way of sneaking in an exhale.

[@MKillrZ]

gunna have to watch this one like 50 times, lmao

[@jrguarita]

great Adam! Thank u!

[@pflautt]

Like how the birds are singing along with the lesson 😄... Thanks, Adam,

[@ThomasFessel]

Thanks for this lesson Adam, probably we will se us more often, I mean I sea you payin? harp and drinking coffee more often

[@cooperriddell337]

"I will edit this out later" LOL nice try Gussow

[@kalteicher9301]

Thank you Adam. I like it a lot and now I`m gonna practice in the Bathroom!

[@adamfox9651]

Ha ha! I used to practice in the john. I stopped when I absentmindedly left a harmonica in there when I went into the shower, and it got all screwed up by the steam.

[@relaxingsounds3909]

Great stuff

[@ray13h]

Great video, again!

[@99crossy]

Hi Adam, Love this video particularly because (likely thanks to your continued teaching) you can still appreciate what’s challenging for brand new players. I’ve been playing about 12 years or so (self taught save for one workshop I was treated to when I was pretty new). I really need to work out n some stuff though as I’m full of bad habits and some weak techniques (overblowing especially) Here’s a fun story if you read it.. I used to run a small village pub on the outskirts of Cambridge UK when I first picked up the harp. There’s a great player over here called Steve Lockwood who was the first person to gain a music degree using the diatonic harp as his primary instrument. Check him out on y/tube. The same guy that inspired him years ago was the same guy who drank in my pub and got me going and it was one of his work shops I attended in the beginning. Was fun mentioning the same wisined old hippy that got us both into harp playing decades apart. So I thought I’d would be cool to decorate a section of my bar with harp memorabilia and display items and I wrote to Hohner asking if they’d consider sending me some point of sale items etc. I also wrote the same request to Lee Oskar up in Washington US. I don’t hear back from Hohner, it was a shot in the dark to such a large company and it may not havecreavhedcthecrightvperson/department. A few weeks later I received in the mail a box from Lee Oskar that contained some display items and great posters signed by Lee Oskar, a CD of an album signed and best of all a gold plated 25th anniversary edition Lee Oskar harp in a resin box and a lovely personal inscription from the man himself. I confess now that I should have kept that harp in mint condition but I also told myself (while thoroughly lubricated one evening) that it was made for playing. So I still have it but have worn a lot of the gold off the plates it still cherish it and remember we’ll how great it felt to receive and for Lee Oskar to take that time to do that. That’s all. Love your playing Adam (and I mostly own Marine Bands now!) Cheers John

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Hey Adam, did you know the area representative of your mouth in your brain was much larger than most other areas of the body because our mouth is so incredibly dexterous and important in many ways. This maybe why you can play the harmonica with such finesse. It made me think of it when I picture in my head how far to move the harp from single note to single note, and it felt loads! (I'm a psychology graduate)

[@kishascape]

I can't seem to single note on that 5 and 4 draw on the second and third beats, managed to get it briefly but now slipping again. Would getting something better than my $10 harp like marine band you have there help? I also have a problem with very slightly lifting the harmonica off my lips when moving to the other holes.

[@graemecorpe7973]

Thank you for this...... Very helpful.😁

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I'm so pleased I'm a natural bender!! I can bend a whole step on the 4 draw!! 😊 I told my girlfriend, but she isn't as exiting as me! Ha