the wah-wah sound for beginners - Blues Harmonica 101

There are two very different wah-wah sounds that every blues harmonica player needs to learn, each requiring a different approach. Here's a quick introduction to the subject. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
More on how to hold the harmonica: kzbin.info?searc...
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[@paulgrammas1011]

You explain things so beautifully, Adam. Hopefully you won’t be living in your car much longer. You seem to know a lot about it, perhaps consider teaching the harmonica.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Funny! Nah, I don't live there, I just teach there.

[@D3R3LICTRECORDS]

I swear, this guy... Fantastic, generous, approachable, inspirational...

[@DLJames-gf1xr]

Was looking for some new tricks, 7 months in and I'm really loving playing. Thank you so much for helping us newbies!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You're welcome!

[@connorkisby3355]

I came on here to find somebody to teach me harmonica, and help me get into the basics. I couldn't have asked for more! These are easy to follow tutorials that really got me into playing blues harmonica

[@chipleach]

As a guitar player just learning the harp, your teaching style is fantastic! Thank you so much!

[@LaithRabie]

Nice lesson! Appreciate you breaking it down so simply.

[@mauricemaeterlinck8799]

Nice to see you are still uploading!

[@daveelsdon7164]

Adam I really appreciate all your videos I’ve been playing for a long time but you do some nice stuff man thank you so much for sharing your talents. I don’t use over blows very much but I refined my over blows just by watching your videos thank you very much! I’ve learned that there’s certain harmonicas that over blow nicely it’s crazy how the flats are so much easier! Thanks again!

[@charlesbarboza8591]

You are Awesome. It’s always better when you’re taking lessons from someone who you know knows what he’s talking about. Because it’s obvious that you know how to play, it makes me all the more interested in wanting to learn what you are sharing. Thank you for sharing. Be well.

[@joshuapilling3641]

These videos are amazing, thank you so much for passing on your exemplary talent

[@normanmundy2565]

Thanks ADAM. Your lessons really help those of us who struggle .they are really helpful ,if anyone is to advanced for these lessons,just move on to some other channel there are plenty out there,no need to criticise .Adam keep up the good work. Warm Regards From Western Australia

[@JohnCBurzynski]

I purchased a lesson pack from his channel, its really worth it for me. Its good to follow a series or plan.

[@syedasimhussainrizvi2165]

Amazing teacher. Got it down quicker than I thought

[@corvus3493]

i bought my first harmonica and I'm starting now my adventure starts now 😌👌

[@casperdaghost7836]

Man my hand cramped up

[@rocketgirllise]

genius lesson. A real breakthrough for me. 🎉

[@veroniquegallant4561]

C’est excellent professeur 👌

[@metekoldasogullar2141]

Best teacher you are! Now i can easily wah-wah my Hohner with its own voice. Thank you veeeeeeery much for your lesson! It perfectly works and i can't stop my smiling. You made my day. Wish you all the best from Istanbul. Subscription and likes? Woo hoo, done already for sure. Thanks Adam :)

[@pdmbamford1]

The thumb... why have I never heard anyone mention covering the top end with the thumb before? It makes a world of difference to the tone lower down. So simple (so obvious), amazing, thanks!

[@bigal3617]

thanks adam.

[@eddielee6490]

I always come back . Thanks Adam for 8 years I been bending the harp You got me started and I always come back and lately Ive been working this with a guitar . Youve been good for me and I always pass on the name of the guy Adam Gussow that got me into this wonderful experience of playing the harmonica .Many many thanks !

[@ThePhobosAnomally]

I ordered Hohner Pro Harp M564016 (C) Harmonica. My first harmonica on which I will start learning how to play.

[@guitarandknivesetc4219]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.god bless

[@arthurherrera8912]

great lesson, thank you

[@chickenman7252]

Nice I needed this for Bring it on Home to Me

[@cold-smith-briggs7719]

Mr. Gussow ist wirklich ein super genialer Mundharmonika Lehrer. Besucht mal seine Homepage und ihr werdet schon nach kürzester Zeit wirklich viel Spaß mit dem Instrument haben.👍

[@2011_Gameplay]

4:55 As a french, I spat out my harmonica 😂

[@carmencastellan1732]

wonderful!

[@agriciobrazil2391]

Very good!

[@mikehulen6036]

Thank you! Practice, practice practice

[@markwathen975]

Wow wow cool 🎼🎶💜

[@speereettoo]

Muchas gracias !

[@tooz9596]

A fun lesson.

[@jazzcritter]

Thanks much!

[@AdvancedLawn]

Adam! Can you post some new advanced harp stuff for us! Been here a while but I miss ur videos! It’s nostalgic to watch

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Did you miss the two intermediate instructional videos I've posted in the past two months? "Goosing it Up!: an octave-popping rhythm for intermediate blues harmonica players," on May 15, and "Brother Sterling groove" on April 10?

[@rajeevelkunchwar]

Did not know about the middle finger positioning. I know you do not play chromatic, but the same lesson can be repeated with tips for chromatic harmonica players. Thanks.

[@sammyg7106]

Awesome

[@brianswitzer7878]

Dear Dr Gussow you say this is a beginner lesson, you have so much to share...! Peace

[@Jack-fs2im]

thanx

[@charlysstore]

bon appetit Monsieur, thanks for your lessons. The Harmonica is such a wonderfull small Instrument with great possibilitys. What you think about Stevie Wonders harp playing ? best regards from germany.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Stevie is one of the greats. He's got an instantly identifiable sound, and his playing is always incredibly melodic and soulful. He sings on the instrument.

[@larrymogen6943]

Wow , thank you, I can’t really do that my hand and. Wrist are paralyzed from stroke, any way to do the wash with one hand?

[@ikust007]

5:10 this is a very funny video / teaching moment !! Cheers teach!

[@GunGames705]

This my bill nye of music

[@sarthaksharma8389]

Great lesson as always But how do you do it the way you actually cup the harp?? I hold it your way too, and I think I do it by flexing my fingers like making a "heart" shape with the border of my palm to open the cup (Hope you're getting what I'm trying to say here) Is this the right way or there's something more to it?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Excellent point. And yes, I do cup the harp differently, and I do both of these wah-wah sounds using that grip as well. Perhaps I should do a second brief video on that subject....

[@sarthaksharma8389]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 thankyou for replying Looking forward to more such lessons;)

[@RayBan-Fan]

Can you do only with voice?

[@tannerlad590]

Do you blow in or out when doing this sound?

[@Project_2501]

I don't know, I have a standard c-tuned Seidel and my chords just don't sound like this. 3 notes, 4 notes, going up, going down, it just doesn't have that "steam lokomotive"/campfire sound. Am I doing something wrong or do I need a different type of harmonica for this?

[@argusfisher5683]

Thanks for the great video How do I know if something is wrong with my harmonica or it's just me being a beginner? I've got this very old Hohner chromonica 260 and it's making funny sounds when drawing at hole 2 and 3. What should I do ?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I'm no expert on chromatic harps; that's a question somebody else will need to answer. The problem COULD be one of the thin plastic thingies--not the metal reed, but the things that cover the reed holes to create proper suction and flow. They can go bad over the years. You need a chromatic harp tech.

[@argusfisher5683]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 I see. Thanks a lot !

[@jmarkcobb9934]

Guess it took me a couple views because I hold the harmonica with my right hand not left. So learning the Wah-wah sounds I had to reverse grips.

[@sgalvans1362]

Your videos are great. Coul you put subtitles in Spanish?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I don't know Spanish, but if there's some automated way of letting KZbin do that, I'd be happy to allow that to happen. Can somebody help point me towards the way of doing this?

[@brookwigley2220]

What would you recommend for practicing like how many hrs Dailey?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

At least 30-60 minutes. If you only have 30 minutes, play 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes later in the day.

[@andreacrumlish9976]

Anyone able to give me a tip here? My hands are really small... My harmonica isn't even that big, yet my thumb only reaches half way. Because of my tiny hands being unable to reach each other, I can't "seal" my hands together :( Anyone got any advice??

[@jaciobe]

What harmonica are you using? Marine band or crossover?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Marine Band.

[@robgilbert6976]

But if you have small hands as I have, it is a little more difficult

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

That's absolutely true, no question. Sonny Boy had notably big hands and that made it easier for him to get a powerful wah-wah.

[@Melanie-50036]

But mom the the professor said to give my middle finger......🤣 But yeah I love your lessons!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I said USE your middle finger--as part of the multi-finger package that makes for a good grip. ;)

[@philcest]

Excellent Français ! lol 😁👍

[@Gonzo_Guy]

Any tiny hand tips for me? 😂

[@greasyboi3154]

My hands are also very small and not able to do it 😔

[@D-a-n-i-e-l-0-7]

Hosea?

[@texandoomguy]

I have small hands i cant

[@socanarevo]

C'est bien, votre cuisine est bonne !

[@thibault1636]

et comment est votre blanquette?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Je fais un bon boeuf bourguignon.

[@SmileFreestyle-hx2rc]

Not much luck the first round for me. My hand brains aren't really all that smart

[@michelelavender1967]

Arent you great

[@fiskaa93]

amazing that a homeless man can play so good

[@ikust007]

2:00 😂😂😂😂

[@timbarnhart3121]

I don’t understand why people record these things in their cars….?