how to make money with a harmonica

The video title says it all. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
www.modernblues...
Late in this video I mention a free session I did for the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project. The film is called "The Trouble I've Seen." • The Trouble I've Seen
Currently an Associate Professor of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi with a specialty in blues literature and culture, Gussow was one of the first amplified blues harp players to make overblows a key element of his stylistic approach, adapting Howard Levy's innovations in the late 1980s in a way that helped usher in a new generation of overblow masters such as Jason Ricci and Chris Michalek. According to a reviewer for American Harmonica Newsletter, Gussow's playing is characterized by "technical mastery and innovative brilliance that comes along once in a generation."
A student of the New York blues harp legend Nat Riddles (1952-1991), an official endorser of Hohner harmonicas for more than two decades, Gussow is best known for his long partnership with Mississippi-born guitarist and one-man-band Sterling "Mr. Satan" Magee as the duo Satan and Adam. After working the streets of Harlem from 1986 to 1991, Gussow and Magee duo toured internationally between 1991 and 1998. Their performing credits include the Chicago Blues Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival and RiverBlues Festival, and more, along with hundreds of club gigs. They toured with Bo Diddley and opened for Buddy Guy, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Otis Clay, Johnny Winter, and Jimmy Thackery. They released two albums on Flying Fish Records, including the W. C. Handy-nominated Harlem Blues (1991) and Mother Mojo (1993). Later releases include Living on the River (1996) and, on the Modern Blues Harmonica label, Word on the Street: Harlem Recordings, 1989 (2008), Back In The Game (2011), and Throw Down! (2015). In 2008, after a decade-long hiatus, Satan and Adam came back on line, and they've played occasional festival and club gigs ever since. In 2013 they made a triumphant return to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
In 1996 Satan and Adam were the cover story in Living Blues magazine; according to editor David Nelson, Gussow enjoyed the curious honor of being "the first white blues musician to be so prominently spotlighted in the magazine's 26-year history."
In addition to his career with Magee, Gussow has worked in duo, band, and studio settings with guitarists Charlie Hilbert, Irving Louis Lattin, Wild Jimmy Spruill, Robert Ross, Bill Perry, Bill Abel, Andrew "Shine" Turner, Bill Sims, Jr., and Brian Kramer. He has released two albums with Hilbert on the Modern Blues Harmonica label: Blues Classics (2007) and Live in Klingenthal (2008). Gussow's first solo album, Kick and Stomp (2010), spent many weeks at #1 in the "Hot New Releases in Acoustic Blues" chart at Amazon mp3's. It also received extensive airplay on Bluesville (SiriusXM), America's premier satellite radio blues show, and rose to the #2 position in the "picks to click" category. His second solo album, Southbound (2011), expanded the one-man band sound with the help of Mississippi's finest session musicians, including bassists Jerry Jemmott and Dave Woolworth. Southbound spent most of March and April 2012 at the #1 position on the Mississippi Roots Rado Airplay Chart.
Currently, Gussow is recording and touring with Mississippi blues veteran Alan Gross in a duo known as the Blues Doctors. Their first album, Roosters Happy Hour, was released in the fall of 2013 and hit #14 on the Living Blues radio chart.
Gussow is known to harmonica students around the world as a result of his Modern Blues Harmonica channel at KZbin, his new Gussow's Classic Blues Harmonica Videos channel, and his pioneering offerings in the field of digital-download video tutorials at his website, Modern Blues Harmonica. Gussow's other musical credits include a stint with the bus-and-truck tour of Big River; several decades as a blues harmonica instructor at The Guitar Study Center in New York and in private practice; five Gussow/Shellist workshops with noted blues player/teacher Ronnie Shellist; "Harmonica Madness" with harmonica.com guru J. P. Allen; and a nine-time coach at Jon Gindick's Blues Harmonica Jam Camps. He's also headlined the Mundharmonika-Live festival in Klingenthal, Germany (2008) and has taught at Blues Week in the UK (2008).

[@freddyfricke8867]

You are one of the best teachers I have ever listen to.Your interesting,patience, understanding..I thank You

[@richardoboyd5886]

With or without your harp, you are always entertaining and enlightening. Thank you Adam.

[@bsg75husker]

Even if i never learn how to play the harp, cuz im not talented, these lessons have soms universal laws in them. And it is a joy to watch you teach them. Again, great energy you have mr Gussow.

[@bluebossa54]

I'm just grateful to find you on KZbin! You've got so much experience and wisdom that you freely share. Thank you Adam!

[@JohnnieDorman77]

That was really heart felt, Mr. Gussow. I started playing trumpet when I was nine, but all along, and off and on, I've played harmonica. Even had a harp taken away from me by my band director when I was on a bus ride with my high school marching band on the way to a football game, he said it would mess with my trumpet embouchure, and I knew that wasn't true, but even though that happened, I managed to get another harp harp later on. I knew nothing about harmonicas, I don't even remember what kind of harp it was, but I didn't let that discourage me, I went on to playing a chromatic harp I bought after that point. But here for the last few months I bought myself a Fender blues harp in the key of C because I wanted to see what it was like and what the difference is between a chromatic and a blues harp. After playing a chromatic for so long, along with being a musician in the first place, the blues harp of course came fairly easy to me. But what I really want to say to you is that your heart to heart talk to all of us here really hit the spot emotionally and spiritually. I've been checking out your videos and you really come off as a big harmonica brother that makes all the fear and the sadness that you mentioned go away for anyone that is feeling it. I'm 68 years old, and I've been through a few times where those feelings happened to me. But like you said, the harmonica is a good friend that can make things better and bring life back to all of us. Much appreciate you, and I have learned a lot from you. There's something very special about you and your humble approach. Keep doing these videos in your car, or wherever you are, you're a great harmonica friend out there for all of us and a great player. Johnnie Dorman in the Pasadena, CA area.

[@MrJOHNMICHAELVEGA]

Thank you for your kindness and time!!!❤️🎶From my heart to yours, Michael 🌈🦋🎈🙏

[@BrianRPaterson]

I doubt I'll ever make any money playing, but I really enjoyed hearing your stories and insights. Thanks for putting together such long and detailed videos. Much appreciated. Cheers

[@ivarwesterberg6212]

Really inspiring! I mostly play the sax but I usually pick up the harp at least once a week. This summer I did my first busking. Me and my cousin got kicked out from a place and we went to a nearby supermarket. There we made $40 in one and a half hour. Just the two of us playing the sax. A lot more than we expected. It's really something special to get out and earn money for doing what you love! Hope this wasn't too weird since English isn't my first language. Greetings from Sweden

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks for sharing your story--although of course you're offering testimony about "how to make money with a sax," not a harmonica. But the principle is the same. It's found money. Nobody gave you a gig; you MADE a gig. The option is always there.

[@giusepperesponte8077]

I’m going to let everyone in on a secret, the best way to do ANYTHING, is to do it, very simple. Just do it, don’t plan the perfect way to do it, don’t contemplate if you’re ready, or if you’re capable, honestly, the less you think the better.

[@AnthonySmith-nk8ct]

Wonder advice this caught me at the right time, thank you bro

[@francisvannier3880]

I am very pleased to see you again Monsieur Adam Gussow. A french harmonica player, trying to work hard (doing my best through your tutos videos. I tnak you very very much. Merci !

[@TheUnemployedGeniuscom]

Adam, I can't thank you enough for this video. You went above and beyond in your sharing. I have to agree with Josh Holliday about your admitting what you had said in your out of state call. You answered allot of questions most of us would have here. I look forward to the continuing of this teaching. You are seriously a very unique person to share this kind of information. You truly have helped and blessed many of us with it. Thank you!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You're welcome. Many thanks.

[@thejosher33]

That was a Fantastic thing to admit Adam (the $1,000 out-of-state gig); thank you so much for having the guts to admit that & share it with us! We, the fledgling harp players who are trodding along in Adam's footsteps . . . Josh, in Orlando, FL.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You're welcome. Now you know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say. Or at least as much as I was willing to share! Yeah, painful experience. But some mistakes, honestly confronted and learned from, can save you a whole lot of time and heartbreak later on.

[@Raulo707]

I paused at 3:34 , i must comment now AG ! Just thought i mention i been playing on the streets for months during a pandemic . Ill tell you this much ... Passion / talent/music ability and You gotta get good! Listen to AG ! Im gping thru this process and after he mention 3 parts , I hope people take his words seriously!

[@molder72]

You are the great master Adam! I am amateur and play harmonica only for my own soul but my wish is to play ones with some blues band just a little bit or to play on street for my own, to see how it is (but I do not have the enough courage). :-) Your videos are the priceless. You not only learn us how to play harmonica, you also teach us how to love harmonica, how to look like harmonica player and how harmonica playing affects us to be a better people. Thank you for that! I wish all the best to you and your family! Pedja Serbia

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks! I appreciate your generous words.

[@aishakatayysha]

classy...and vibrant...amazing skills

[@Danzeeman]

another great vid Adam! Hears like a book, and though I will remain an amateur player, I love those anecdotes of yours. Fascinating stuff, thanks. Dan

[@jeffjensen4532]

Great video! I laughed out loud at, "I'm going to let that phone go"...then immediately gets up to answer it...hahahahahahaha! Vid's are always informational and usually entertaining and not just for the music...I love it! :D

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes. The damned robo-calls are killing me. I figured why not let that be a part of my video. Hanging up on it, too. BAM!!

[@normajeanr50]

You are the coolest guy. I am not good, never will make money playing but because you are an awesome and a sharing teacher I love the knowledge you have. Thanks so much. Very informative.

[@shebenka_1]

Best video for harmonica players. Thank you, Adam!

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thank you Adam! I really like to hear you talk, you have lots of great information and I get lots of ideas from you. Thank you for sharing.

[@larrymogen6943]

Clearly an excellent primer!, I wish you the best!!, and much thanks

[@RobbyTheBelgian]

Lots of good information here. Thanks for sharing!

[@k.rock1016]

Hi Adam! So much info! Thanks! You have taught me so much! I am great full for the things you’ve shared! Thank you 🙏

[@goldeneyelash]

Hey Adam, you're somewhat mesmerizing not just because of your harmonica chops, but because of your sagacity/life experience. Couldn't stop watching all your videos last night simply because of the knowledge that you have to impart which doesn't even have to do with harmonica playing, but due to philosophical insights/knowledge of life..And on an old interview I saw with you and a guitar player that you've worked with, can't remember his name, interviewer said that you were an Ivy League graduate? Degree in English? That would explain a lot of your insights into human nature and intelligence I suppose. Anyway, you've been an inspiration to me, it's nice to realize that there are some spiritually aware/sagacious/"old souls" out there. Peace.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes, I've somehow managed to accumulate three Ivy degrees, including a Princeton Ph.D., even while honoring my true passions, which are, in order, 1) distance running and 2) blues harmonica. But I spent a couple of years just after the turn-of-the-millennium, in the aftermath of a minor heart attack, as a New Ager of sorts, reading pretty much every book in the New Age / Spirituality section of the bookstore that had the word "heart" in it. That exposed me to a lot of stuff that blues people tend not to gravitate towards, including the writings (and cassette tapes) of Pema Chodron, Jack Kornfield, A Course in Miracles, etc. I think I attended a total of five workshops at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, led by David Deida, Marianne Williamson, and others. Throw that stuff into a mix that also included five years as a part-time Harlem street musician, working with Sterling "Mr. Satan" Magee and that probably accounts for what you're hearing.

[@giusepperesponte8077]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 what do you have degrees for? I’d guess it’s something to do with English considering how well spoken you are.

[@ArtofDreaming1]

That is a truly human reflex. Something you never get over because You just can't get over how foolish you can be sometimes.I think we all have one of those moments.

[@jeffreylegaux7237]

I can play to hotel California like I'm with the band in concert along with the mass amount of most classic rock to country music

[@jeffreylegaux7237]

I exclusively love to play along with Gabrielle Quevedo I can play to everything that she has on her play list

[@HarmoActive]

Great lesson, Professor! Thank you for sharing your experience and stories, even the painful ones :) One learns through mistakes. I would also mention crowdfunding websites. You do not exactly earn money this way but this can help you get the money up front for making a CD which you can then sell at a profit and/or use for promotion.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes, great point. That is yet another way to make money: Patreon and the like.

[@munichman1968]

Very good video, Adam!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@milliemura-hita9135]

Wow you are amazing guy thank you so much for that wealth of information. Yes I definitely will be watching all your videos.

[@andydunn5673]

Great lesson Thanks again for your insight and inspiration

[@craig7102]

excellent video Adam and how true

[@joecincoify]

Very Cool

[@ggivb]

Great Adam! I love it...

[@anthonymalette339]

Thank you for the insight.

[@ZvikaDror]

Inspiration gold - many many many many good tips here, some I already found myself pondering about - I might drop my fences and play in the train stations I pass on the way to work every day :) Thanks Adam - I usually pass words and get to the music which I am curious about :) I don't wish to make money from playing, only enjoy.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Just don't expect instant success the first time you busk. It may happen. But lots of things may happen. The very first time I busked in Paris, when I was visiting a girlfriend who lived there, I lasted about 45 seconds--until the flics (cops) came by and said "No, monsieur, you can not play here."

[@ZvikaDror]

That was a bummer :) We have different people here - cops don't care, but also people don't care - they never pay attention to street players - everyone in a hurry

[@777Alus]

Adam! Thanks for the excellent information. It's been years since I contacted you via email this is Alex in Las Vegas we spoke briefly on the phone and it was a pleasure.I watch and learn so much from all your videos. Over the years I have been having difficulty remembering the music I learn. It seems that whenever I play and learn a new tune it's very difficult to re-call what I have learned. Do you have any suggestions or ideas that I could try to get over this music wall? I thoroughly enjoy playing and occasionally when I do remember set tune have fun playing. Forget trying to remember the words to a song that's tough enough. The one song that I could still play without worrying about forgetting it is Jay geils whammer Jammer. I learned that late in 1990 and I'm around 60 years old now. Anything you could do to help this great if not it's great to. Keep up the Fantastic work. Your lifelong friend Alex in Las Vegas.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I learn songs by playing/singing them in my head when I run in the woods. I lay down the beat with my stride: left right left right becomes ONE two three four TWO two three four. You're probably not a runner, but you can surely go out for a walk in a park, where you can establish a workable stride rate. Start by humming the opening riff to "Sunshine of Your Love." ONE-a two THREE... Then start with a song or riff that is heavily rhythmic, and make it work for you, inside your head, as you walk. Hum or sing sotto voce, if you can. If you can't connect a song or riff with a beat in a clear, coherent, and steady way, you don't own it. What I've just described is a way of owning it.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

Lotta real good stuff bro appreciated.

[@michaelkral]

Hi Adam, awesome video! What level is right to start being paid? If you can play any cool stuff for an hour that's it? ==> I think I can do that 😂

[@guybaldridge2475]

The best sign thanks them and thanks God for them for whatever they can give😉

[@MegaBoomer666]

Unfortunately I do not speak English But I find the Gussows really class Greetings from Germany

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Danke schoen. (Hopefully I spieled that one right.) :)

[@MegaBoomer666]

Definitely Thank you for your response I've been playing for 2 years Instrument Hohner Crossover Now it's getting blues Melody Gerorgia on my mind Slow blues And now I am practicing Big Walter Horton Boogie It makes a lot of fun Thanks for your videos

[@hamiltonpainter]

What 5 songs would you recommend learning.

[@N2Yeshua777]

Question ? How do I not slobber all over harp and arm ?

[@crimsonking90]

Hey Master!

[@petersbirakos3108]

Just noticed the book over your left shoulder behind you 'Blues Harp'. I'm wondering if you might shed some light on it? Fascinating stories - thank you for sharing.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

It's the book that got me started on the harmonica when I bought it back in 1974. Tony "Little Son" Glover. It was first published in 1965. It's the classic.

[@petersbirakos3108]

Brilliant! I'll see if I can find it somewhere. Most likely long out of print. Also enjoyed very much your book memoir, Mr Satan's Apprentice. Best to you.

[@SnakeBitesTattoo]

@@petersbirakos3108 try ebay.

[@willybluessenkiwsky3848]

NYC, the low rent parts ain't going cashless... yet. I, sometimes, make up to @10, in an hour or 2, on Subways or busking on the street! I don't have paypal (not that anybody asked) I do it because I am learning (who isn't)?

[@TheStallionstudios88]

sir I am chromatic harmonica player, inspired by you I started playing diatonic. Please tell me that do you earn by playing harmonica or do you have a job?

[@healingleafwave6963]

Nice i was in munich in octoberfest

[@sk22ng]

Adam, You got 600.00 dollars +drinks and dinner. For me, food may cause a reed or two to temporarily stick. while playing. How do you control the food while playing? I found out that the food in my mouth dissipates fairly quickly as time passed. Although I usually eat after playing to control this I may have to eat first regarding family events I may play at. So far I haven't played for money..

[@AndrewKomarharp]

l think its very useful video )))

[@BrooklynRowdy]

you are excellent! a buddha. thank you.

[@giusepperesponte8077]

The way I get money from harp is playing loudly in public places and being paid to stop.

[@gordontulloch4260]

I like it sounds good to make money with the harmonica.

[@JohnnieDorman77]

My suggestion is keep your chin up, not good to play with your head down.

[@alexbueno6811]

I really appreciate the harmonica wisdom. But perhaps you can get to the point and do a bit of editing

[@peteraustin1509]

You would think TV and movie work be union scale but there is allot of under the table work but you didn't hear that from me.. Wink wink

[@giusepperesponte8077]

Technically the harp already makes me money because I would have quit my job due to boredom without it.

[@jeffreylegaux7237]

Phanominal acoustic guitarist

[@gordontulloch4260]

And maybe just play for nickels and dimes in front of a grocery store like a blues player once said, but busking sounds better where alot of people are at!

[@locketmasterprod]

why are the title and the description in french ?

[@crimsonking90]

locketmasterprod youtube automatic translation bro!

[@locketmasterprod]

it doesn't happen with any other VOD that's weird

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

They're in English for me. Are you accessing from a Francophone country: France, the French part of Canada, Martinique, Senegal?

[@locketmasterprod]

yes i m french but it never did it before with your videos or any other youtubers

[@crimsonking90]

locketmasterprod it happens with me as well, cause i'm Italian. It didn't happen with this video though. Crazy KZbin

[@AndrewKomarharp]

цікаве відео для тих хто хоче заробити гроші)

[@brandonvandelden7972]

$200 a day with just a harmonica. THATS A LIE. Even if he sat there for 24 consecutive hrs. THATS A LIE. people on the street are stingy with their money. That's a fact

[@nickdamico8631]

You sound like someone who hasn't earned 200 bucks yet.

[@marcelmatterz3335]

Branden VanDelden: When was the last time you were on the streets?

[@J.M.Stigner]

when was the lat time you played like Gussow?!

[@jeffreylegaux7237]

I have been playing harmonica since I was a kid search me on utube Jeffrey legaux I played. Home on the Range, Silent Knight and several other classics I have been told from Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood. I have the professional talent but can't seem to find a organization that helps people like myself to go viral can u help me