harmonica bending for beginners

www.modernbluesharmonica.com/b...
Bending notes on the lower draw reeds is a fundamental blues harmonica technique, something every beginner needs to master. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
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.com/filedetail.p...
Modern Blues Harmonica beginner's deluxe:
www.tradebit.com/filedetail.p...
Please subscribe! / @gussowsclassicbluesha...
©Adam Gussow 2015. All rights reserved.

[@iSonikYT]

Swallowed my tounge and died. 10/10 would recommend

[@NNDMT33]

Best comment ever. Can confirm

[@revoir-draws3270]

Tongue ;P

[@iSonikYT]

@@revoir-draws3270 Zunge

[@revoir-draws3270]

iSonikYT lol sorry, I’m what my dad calls a Grammar Nazi, it bothers me when people don’t do proper grammar 😅

[@iSonikYT]

​@@revoir-draws3270 Well Tounge is grammatically not wrong. Grammar defines the rules for building the right structure of a sentence. So you are an orthography nazi in this case, but not a grammar nazi. Btw i just did an "linguistic category nazi move" on you ;P (I hope you dont have to speak a 2nd language)

[@yonderthemountaintop1993]

This guy should be a game or talk show host.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

This guy appreciates that.

[@graeliengrayson937]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 Just watched your documentary 'Satan & Adam' on Netflix, fantastic work! Because of you I'm now going to learn the harmonica.

[@geniegreentrees]

Yes, like Bill Nye!

[@trentbrady8829]

Is that your final answer

[@kalamazoobassjunky]

He is. His name is Chris Hanson.

[@George-xl9dz]

2:08 now this is a true bluesman

[@trashmonkey9726]

Me: None of this is working for me Him: Try to be a kamikaze pilot Me: That sounds weird for a instrument, (Trys it) God damn... it worked

[@OneHumbuckingSonOfABitch]

It worked exactly for me on that very moment😂

[@radeberger1169]

I got it at 1:59 after plenty of other tutorials. And I smiled in pure joy after i hit the first bend. THANK YOU!!

[@colargol3845]

A huge thanks you, gussow 😄

[@keithhogg7228]

Ha ha - it worked for me too

[@rejectedcapitalist4802]

That feeling when you finally get a bend is amazing. Seriously. Do not give up it took me a while.

[@BlueCollarHero1]

Got my first one today and was *so* happy. Haha.

[@S3aCa1mRa1n]

A byzantine commie flag wtf is wrong with you, those 2 don't go together lmfao

[@MichaelSelhost]

Every time he looks away I half expect a crazy wife yelling "Dammit, Gusscow! What did I tell you about sneaking out here?! Get yo' ass back inside before I...."

[@JohnOabmar]

Hahaha !

[@grahamread7518]

And clean your bloody shoes!!

[@JD-wo3pp]

Hahaha

[@Banjo3440]

I'm kinda worried now that Adam is gonna get himself swallowed up by the Mississippi mud one day.

[@verycleanguy1771]

water earth fire harmonica

[@archway31]

You are a wonderful teacher, sir. I started playing last night and I can already do some nice bends, blues base rythym, and feel so much better about playing. Thank you! From the bottom of my heart. I'll be watching all your videos.

[@wigglybiscuit7940]

you any good now? XD

[@ross-ij6qn]

@@wigglybiscuit7940 thats what im wondering. are you?

[@oscarburr11]

Do you still play?

[@Sam-dc9bg]

Man I remember watching this video 2 years ago. It was absolute hell learning how to even get my foot in the door with this..... glad to be done with that stage.

[@leeannclark4774]

Adam, you're teaching style is really cool. I like the way you're trying to work it out on camera like you're trying to figure out how to teach. It forces the student to go through the steps of trying to figure it out with you.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks! I think you've figured out my secret. :)

[@JDToonyVizArt]

I got this by saying 'Eeyore' when inhaling. I'm having a MUCH easier time bending than vibrato.

[@ebxnawn522]

Had a hard time with the video, but your technique worked! Hah thanks

[@KrishnaVinod]

Wow. Works every time and effortlessly. Eeyore! :D Thanks.

[@terrymennie4332]

Gent

[@mrHoppedupford]

That does work. Maybe you should do a KZbin video.

[@drewga403]

D@mn, Eeyore did it -- Thanks!!!

[@AleksGutierrez]

That "kamikaze" analogy got me to do it right :D thnx!!!!

[@mazingMonkey]

yes, that was the best tip for me as well. Haven't got it, yet, though. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next year, who knows? =)

[@sniffelur7996]

@@mazingMonkey Did you get it yet?

[@petersokalski3435]

Oh my goodness I worked for weeks and finally got it. 2017 will be the year of bending harmonicas for me! Thanks!

[@noeeme]

Let's bend the blues hell out of that harmonica bro !!

[@IberianInteractive]

here we are bro

[@scottt3100]

IKR! Been playing guitar for many years so I figured harmonica would be easy. WRONG! LOL. I am getting it though little by little and do really enjoy practicing and the challenge. Tossed my $5 pos and got the model that Adam suggests, Hohner Marine Band, 1896 in C and man it's like going from a Chevette to a Corvette! Oh joy!!

[@terrancat]

Corvette is chevrolet.

[@justinmaxwell1608]

Jeremy Johnson so is a chevette

[@JohnDoe-rk1bc]

Found the instrument lying around a few days ago. Just worked out the first slight bend and instantly got an insane grin on my face and laughed like I haven't laughed in a while. Like tasting a new flavour or seeing a new colour. Funny stuff. You may just have evoked a harmonica passion in me, thanks! Now back to the 101 and start learning to play the thing, before I get ahead of myself.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You've got the right spirit for this instrument.

[@laurencemann4952]

Hi Adam, I've been trying to draw bend for one year now and I just couldn't do it but, I watched this video and 'BANG' I can now do it so, I'm jumping for 'JOY'.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Excellent! I'm glad the explanation worked.

[@noeeme]

A simple explanation of you did a fine job Gussow , keep on showing us your tricks , superb !!!

[@TheBanMan]

Did it right for exactly one second, then sank into the mississippi mud. 7/10 tutorial

[@hakimbrahimi1015]

I learnt how to bend with this video and you know what, I'm still watching this again just for the character you are Adam You are a unique harp blues player. Thank you for encouraging new players💯

[@rebekahxie803]

You are such a good teacher! I tried only once after watching this video and amazingly I just DID it!!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Excellent! I hope others will approach this challenge with your energy and enthusiasm.

[@misterx8592]

Adam's videos made me purchase a Hohner Marine Band harmonica....So, if my neighbors start to complain.... I'm telling them that Adam made me do it!

[@ryantowers5380]

Been trying to bend with the inward wistle method for yearssss. . you come along with the notion of imagine that you are pulling something hard and to do it fast like a kamakazi pilot, thank god you said that cause I just bent my first note ! Outstanding sir ! Thank you very much :)

[@lustigga]

You`re an amazing teacher, Adam!! Thanks so much for not giving up on us. There`s a bunch of us crazies who really want to get it right and we will!! This is a virtual, taking off my hat to you. Promise to persevere.

[@marion312]

Unlike other videos on harmonica bending, this is the most instructive, thanks so much for this lesson😊😊😊

[@donnamariewilliams8261]

This is the second video I have watched, different people. And this guy’s technique and his teaching style get a 10 from me out of 10 points! I’ve got it now! Thank you so much!! I’m now a bender!

[@PeterPan-ps2mw]

Gussow, you are a magnificent teacher. Started the day before yesterday, made my first bend today.

[@drutgat2]

I love your enthusiasm and teaching, Adam. Many thanks.

[@konstantingolubev3822]

So Simple!!!! I've been watching thousends lessons, with diagrams, and pictures, and didn't understand nothing. And that was just "ki-ku" and plain going down... Amazing!!! Thank you!!!

[@roelhenkgabaut5765]

thanks for your info Adam. i was bending the 1 and 2 already quite easy just by opening my throat and lowering my jaw but i kept my tongue at the bottom. had to work very hard to get the 3 and 4 going . after you told in this video about the kamikaze pilot sound and keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth it made so much difference. i can now bend all the notes without much effort so i guess this is the way to go. took me a few weeks to understand but i think i have got it now. i can even bend the 3 for all 3 extra notes without great effort. amazing stuff thank you for sharing this with us.

[@GYMGENIUSHQ]

This is a great video. The best one on KZbin for bending. I really appreciate you taking the time to teach us this. Thank you!

[@danielamourose6361]

Why does he keep looking around? Is he on the run from the law? Did he steal that harmonica and now he's hiding out in the woods? I'm joking, but it would be even funnier if it were true.

[@conqueso8396]

I wondered the same. Maybe he's scared he's imitating a moose mating call by accident?

[@herpderp297]

He is breaking the sacred oath of secrecy by showing how to bend notes on the harmonica

[@danielamourose6361]

@@herpderp297 , Hey, he knew the risks associated with this dangerous undertaking. And it begs the question; " If a harmonica player gets wacked in the forest, does it make a sound?"

[@stardustpan]

"You should be able to do that if you went out and actually paid money and got yourself a harmonica." 🤔

[@romanengelbrecht6717]

Yea he just thought he'd give a quick lesson while on the run😂😂😂

[@mattrabiller]

started last night Adam and getting the basic hang of it. very excited. thanks

[@misterlife9669]

And of course thank you so much Adam for those videos, i discovered you just yestersay and i'm already so grateful, i'll come back here often to tell about my progress 🔥

[@thegrimm54321]

This is so...GOOD. Everything makes sense AND the camera work is great! Also, holy crap the kamikaze thing sounds so ridiculous but it worked

[@gallionlion6388]

i think you are the best harmonica teacher period!!!

[@kaydreamer]

Ah, that thing about really having to really feel like you're 'pulling' the note through, THAT DID IT! Thank you! I just bought a harmonica on a whim today because I wanted something to riff on a blues scale with, only to learn that, hah, no... it's noooooot that easy.

[@TitoTimTravels]

You are so right about needing a teacher (as you have said in other videos). I watched so many videos about bending but never got it until Matthew Smart had me put my hand on his throat as he bent a note. I felt the way his esophagus moved and it all clicked! I do enjoy your videos :)

[@HoneandGrind]

Damn can you elaborate on that lol

[@Whirling1Dervish]

One of The Best videos - that explains how to bend for the newbie

[@davidjazay9248]

Adam, you are a wonderful teacher. Thanks a million!

[@maitjajeric3108]

The ki ku thing did it for me, now its practise time. Thanks a ton Adam, cheers

[@marigrandao]

I watched some videos to learn to bend but this was the best, Thanks! You are a great teacher! ✨🙏🏽

[@hollygamble15]

Yay, found my grandfather's old harmonica and I'm so excited 😊 thanks Adam! I subscribed 👍

[@archimusprime6491]

This really helped put it in perspective for me I've had trouble trying to bend for a while and this helped me, thank you!

[@TheSimbolyk]

Just pulled off my very first bend thanks to this video. Felt great.

[@charlesvitanza8867]

The kamikaze pilot analogy helped me so much. I tried it and instantly got bending!

[@Caek_daddy]

The pull/compression analogy did it for me. Thanks!

[@jimtaylor2269]

I love your analogies, I am taking your course and I have learned so much, now I just learned something I was already doing LOL

[@justinus22]

the "ke - ku" thing worked so well!!! i was struggling so much hearing no difference no matter what i tried but when doing the ke ku thing it just suddenly worked

[@Huelogy]

When I got my first bend I was so happy I don't think I've ever been so happy with an instrument, I play guitar drums and keys pretty much whatever I can get my hands on but the harmonica is so much fun I can't describe it, I just feel I'm bending wrong even though I get the note I want

[@CosmicNeonNeko]

Took two days, but I think I finally got the bend. The kee coo technic followed by the plane sound (in that order for some reason) did it for me. I think I struggle a bit because of a horrendous overbite, but it's coming. Thanks for the great videos(:

[@LevitatorMusic]

thanks a ton. My cover band just added Mary Janes Last Dance, Roadhouse Blues, and Every Time I Roll the Dice and I elected myself to play harmonica and your videos are helping a ton!! Trying to get them to add The Wizard by Sabbath and that's what brought me here.

[@stevefreedom2469]

Life long dream and it's day 1. Loved it! Thanks Man.

[@georgegates526]

Thanks for your patience!

[@adammalkovich187]

Just got my harmonicas today. I was having trouble playing different notes. Thanks for the video.

[@boogiedownnyc]

The jaw drop method worked for me rite away. I think the key for me was learning how to play a single note first.

[@justinbunn6714]

Dang I'm making some weird sounds! Update!!! Done it. In one hour! The "kee koo" method worked for me. I got the bend when my mouth was transitioning between the "kee" and the "koo"! Haha

[@jarojasn]

This is probably the greatest tip I’ve ever learned

[@inderneilboseroychowdhury]

I began playing in early 1980s of Hohner Golden Melody in C & in E and later I moved on to Marine Band,Crossover and also Pro Harp,Meisterklasse aluminium alloy and also Seydel Blue's Session..I practice on Hohner Blue's band in set of all different key's tuned by Hohner factory in Germany where I reside.. I'm also playing Hohner Chromatic 64 280 c 16 Hole's & Meisterklasse 7565 14 Hole's & also Tower 24 Hole's.. Thanks to Adam Gussow for furthermore polishing and letting me understand some of the most intricate and minute technicalities of Harmonica's which wouldn't have been possible without his help..Thanking Adam Gussow from Hamburg City, Lohbrügge.. Germany

[@junhongskungfuclub2804]

That was the best bending tutorial I ever seen!!! Freakin learned it so easy 😱😱😱 I been struggling with this for so long

[@danielpenttinen5030]

The "pulling feeling" did it for me. Played too soft at first, can't be shy when bending for the first time. Thank you!!

[@irisiris3842]

Same. When the bending happens for a begginer is very satisfactory

[@jocotti]

Very nice lesson and thank you. I really like your style of lessons, well done.

[@malcolm1367]

He solves the problems your having 10/10

[@MrDohyo]

This man is an actual airbender

[@jakobjohansen7640]

Just saw another comments referencing to the ATLA universe. Fancy seeing anime fans here! Okay so lol, though I did reply to your comment just to say that I also wanna ask a list of different harmonica skills I should be learning cuz I decided to start today an only got youtube to learn and got no idea where to start. Whether you helped me or not, take a like ;)

[@skiddrowe9104]

Oh! Sir!!! I tried to bend notes on my harp and it was almost impossible, in fact, absolutely impossible until I saw and studied you video above........and WOW!!!!!! WHAT A GREAT DIFFERENCE!!!!! SUCCESS AT LAST!!!! Even in so many, many different fields of many of the arts, proper technique is crucial!!!! THANK YOU EVER-SO-MUCH!!!!! FOR YOUR SUPERB TEAHING METHODS!!!!!!

[@billyraida2127]

that kee koo tip was amazing, instantaneous

[@howardcao3967]

Thank you for the awesome lesson. This technique really got me going with bending....

[@whitelight2507]

You helped me out Adam, thanks.

[@user-zg7mp8un6k]

Thank you! Great lesson. I had problems with bending but you really helped me!

[@louzola7997]

Great lesson. To the point and not too wordy. 👍

[@toomanypockets7316]

Thank you, excellent teaching style..

[@vitaliyr5592]

YES!!! I did it! Two months since I started with my Seydel 1847, today I've bent D to D-b (half-tone lower, draw hole #4). Adam, thank you very much for your advises!!!

[@Milamberinx]

Did you measure your pitch? The other day I was watching someone supposedly very talented with harmonica and some of their bent notes were bent too far. Otherwise their speed, smoothness, accuracy, chords, etc. all sounded good, just the over bent notes took it from sublime to... kinda sickening, like eating a delicious salad and finding a half eaten blob of mud.

[@mikidomeny1677]

hats down to you sir. very good approach, easy to understand. youre great!

[@robertbrunston5406]

I need this! Thank you for sharing.

[@Yer_baby]

Thank you super helpful! Very good instructing

[@DustyCowdog]

I'm getting my harmonica today in the mail. Can't wait to try bending!😜

[@alicagank]

AYYY IT WORKED! Thanks Gussow! :)))

[@edmundomartinez8997]

Thanks a lot, my first succesfull bending came after watching this video, the Kamikaze pilot method really works!!

[@crunchylettuce5446]

This helped me a lot, thanks!

[@nagarjunreddy556]

This is just awesome video because I was try it like hell I couldn't get it. The kiku and jet crash sounding idea is damn good helped me a lot

[@zuggrr]

This worked for me ! Thank you

[@Ledvolta]

Thanks, Adam. That was amazing 😃🤯👏🏻! I’m going to try those methods/tricks 👍🏻. You are a great, and engaging, teacher! 🙏🏻 Thanks.

[@chocolatefrogs1992]

Props to this man for teaching us how to bend harmonica notes while the CIA is out looking for him

[@mikegordonbrasov161]

fast and efficient lesson. thanks! reproducing the plane sound, great idea.

[@petrakocourkova1675]

Perfect tips! Thank you so much! 👍

[@chrisjetton4491]

Great lesson. Thanks.

[@KJfreshh69]

I learned more on this video than any other video I’ve seen

[@wallacenichols6071]

This is a great video to bending I will go back to this video till I get it .your so color full in your analogy s it rely helps

[@Carl-zk4hl]

Amazing! Just a great teacher!

[@MrJimboss]

probably the BEST

[@randybrickner8272]

WOW!... had already done this on my C and Bb harps. Funny part is, I was just experimenting. Didn't know what a "bend " was. Well, picked up my C after watching this and low and behold...already knew how to bend...almost every note...just didn't know what they called it...until now. Easy lesson this was..LOL Tounge method. Jaw drop threw off my single note accuracy. Tounge method came natural. COOL ! Thanks Adam !

[@Byers66]

Just got mine today and already bending this is awesome

[@brendancallahan9820]

Thanks for this amazing tutorial! I mastered this concept before the video even ended. That was a FAST tutorial!

[@dallassena5210]

Thank you so much, very helpful

[@julianokechukwu1405]

🤣🤣🤣 The best! I just figured it out! Thanks a lot Adam. You're the best! ✊🏼✊🏼

[@lovenesschipotaona4270]

Am watching from Zambia,,this is really amazing lessons.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks and welcome!

[@bitchiebitchardson4898]

You're the man! Thanks!!

[@foxote640]

hey this video just taught me how to bend a note, thanks a lot! it was the kamikaze pilot method that made it click for me

[@Dazyredfox87]

Wow excellent teaching

[@Philmarken1]

Holy shit, this is so help full -- ive been angling the harmonica, and lowering my jaw; the tounge trick and 'jap kamikaze trick' is so helpful!

[@melvinhuang2911]

Thanks ive try it, good explain

[@rachaelhuxley3181]

Hi Adam!! Thanks for that, total hero