What's the bluesiest harmonica key? (Stunning secrets revealed!)

[@yottaken7715]

I consider myself a pretty depressed person but your videos make me so happy in a way I cant explain. truly are the bob ross of the harmonica and I pray im almost as good as you someday

[@wingnut4200]

“There are no mistakes, only happy accidents. And harmonicas” ― Bob Ross

[@Robert-yk8tx]

Just blow the devil out of it

[@shamsam69]

G Sounds the bluesiest... But I am a bass player so maybe that's why

[@larydixon4824]

Noah, Always Remember - Great Harp Players Don't Suck ! Lary

[@최병주-i7p]

Thank you a lot

[@neiloppa2620]

The blusiest harp is always the one that Adam Gussow is playing : )

[@Fangsinurface]

Here here!

[@aarphi1984]

Truth

[@brigittebyrne]

Wholesome! Yes!!!

[@mrtambourineman6107]

HAHAHA! You ass kiss!! 😉

[@mrtambourineman6107]

@Ryker Samuel you too!!

[@johnjames218]

I love the deep rich sound of the G harp

[@healingleafwave6963]

Yes i do think its a sexy key for playing the slow blues on a backing track

[@vvanderer]

Try getting a low f lol. I call mine the grunter. I use Lee Oskars

[@jltrem]

I agree. My favorite keys are A and G.

[@daddycavefish]

@@jltrem Ab is good

[@shamsam69]

Me too, but does that mean you were playing in D? In the second position to get all those low draw notes and bends, is that right?

[@giusepperesponte8077]

My favorite is Bb. Adam really said it perfectly here, it’s just got the perfect range of pitch. Not shrill in the high end but also has a good low end as well.

[@mikeoak5289]

me too, key of f. folks in the group say (complain) every song i make up is f.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

It’s great for blues in Cm as well as

[@artbyjibs]

agreed. It is nice.

[@studogable]

I love that he says the D harp is a favorite of country players. It reminds me of the line from The Blues Brothers: "A - good country key!" Since the D harp is actually playing in A, this rings true.

[@detroitbluesguy]

VERY good key..its bright so you can be heard and conserves air quantity..great for wailing on!!

[@Krooks44]

Bb for me. They all sound good but Bb sounds the best to my ears. Also I think one thing that is very understated is Adam’s vibrato is so good and subtle but makes all the difference.

[@brikinahonix]

That dirty low bend on a G Harp makes me feel the heat on a sunny day, with no shoes on, sitting on the side of the road so yes, the blusyes for me.

[@johnnewman1197]

I am a brand new harmonica player and jesus man when you said "That's you" I legit laughed out loud a little. That it almost exactly what i sound like. Though i play "amazing grace" not "old susana"

[@johnnewman1197]

Also your videos are dope as hell btw.

[@kevinscottsphr5214]

One of the great harmonica gurus and a great person to boot!

[@suzywoozy2694]

I’m your age and a beginner, I realize it’s me not the harmonica…but I appreciate your playing all the keys for us. Thanks so much.

[@Gpacharlie]

C harp for Alaska gold miner blues. G harp for down deep in Mississippi

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I like that! F harp for the Nashville skyline.

[@szabolcskiraly6323]

You sir. I use a C since the age of... oh God, six or seven?? Im 46 now. I'm just a white boy... Alaska gold miner blues 100% true, it's maybe the cold..

[@elizabethbrown8833]

Thank you 🙏🥀🎶

[@rickmoro705]

Been playing blues harp for 39 years I love my special 20 in key of "B" good work horse! I allso really enjoy my Lee Oscar "A" when I slow it down and slide into my Sour Mash groove and just drag it around nice and slow a bit hooked up to my blue bullet. Thank you great stuff.

[@eldesgraciado6690]

Thank you for your comment. I'll go get a B.

[@plazguitar]

Many years ago I called Adam at his college at the time.... Gracious and informative about my love for the harmonica - just like all his videos. So get a harmonica in any key and start playing.

[@winstonchurchill624]

The G sounds real nice. The really slow blues is just what I like.

[@erikdravn]

I think a G and B Flat are going to be my instruments. I'm just starting to get serious with learning to play. I've had a harmonica for years but was too busy learning guitar to put the time in. Now I'm switching it up. (mostly because I suck at guitrar lol)

[@brettmiller7366]

I am about to purchase my first harmonica mainly because I want to learn some Led Zeppelin harmonica songs. I know absolutely nothing about the harp, but it is an essential ingredient for blues in my opinion . I am actually a guitar player and a drummer , just started learning piano. There’s nothing more satisfying than learning a brand new instrument . I’ve been searching on KZbin for videos, explaining the difference in the different keys of harmonica in, which is best . You’ve answered about three of my major questions in the first 30 seconds of this video . Now that I know I can play any song on any different key of harmonica, and the only difference is the personality of that tone. I feel relieved. Zeppelin uses B-flat for a lot of their songs, including the one I wanted to learn When the Levee Breaks . Hohner rocket B-flat will be the one I pull the trigger on. I’ve always been a firm believer that if you’re starting a new Instruments, you should buy at least a medium range so it is easier to play and sounds better . Now I will be able to record Guitar , drums, and piano into my daw and also add the additional flavor of the blues harp. Thanks for making everything clear , now I guess the only thing to do is to learn the harmonica. I will be smashing the subscribe button for sure .

[@xxxxharp]

Adam....what took me years to figure out with no one to ask......and what I paid to learn....you are a great teacher and player. Thanks for all your posts !

[@rayobannon]

Wow... nobody else even discusses this! Very insightful. Thanks!

[@charliedominguez1135]

Ray O'Bannon thxryhtdthfzgnhchfc

[@johnmarylouschmitt914]

Ray O'Bannon my

[@dietmarsteinhilber169]

This guy is so great , a real personal experience like having a friend Show you the ropes. Thank you !

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Bitte schoen!

[@jameshilliard5483]

Beginner here, thanks for the lessons doc. I love ya

[@FisherCatProductions]

Perfect validation of my own philosophy. Blues comes from the heart. Whatever sound comes out of your harp that conveys your "bluesy feelings" is the proper key for you to play for that riff. Regards.

[@gregoryvincentdepaul2544]

I'm a pretty experienced player and I found this helpful.

[@phoenix1167]

When you said "That's the one, That's the one." That's how I feel about your channel. I've fallen head over heels with my first harmonica, I feel like I have found a best friend. I've spent my time combing KZbin and finally I've found the right guiding force into the magical world of music. I'm looking forward to enjoying your video's, Thank you !

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Thanks! That's a really nice comment. I hope your intuition turns out to be true.

[@kelvinsmith6854]

G is the best for me...you are a easy going instructor, thank you.

[@Lilsunshinebaby]

This has been exactly my question as a beginner, what key can I purchase that’s the bluesiest key!! I’m so happy I stumbled upon this video

[@ddavis9100]

I purchased a bflat harp by accident 2 weeks ago and intended to take it back but.........I decided to give it a go. And have fallen in love with it. Great Key! Thanks for all the great education.

[@stephendavies6947]

Dan Davis perfect key for Chain gang

[@boomshakalaka7756]

Bought my D harp like a half year ago, also planned to change to C, but then i was just like..woah, man, i'm not giving this away

[@conicEllipse]

I love the sound of the G harp. It puts the way I feel into sound. To me, all of the other keys are too light and have too much lilt to truly and accurately resonate how it feels to be in the throes of the blues. They are sort of "blues wannabes"; cheap imitations that care more about being popular than translating and releasing the painful crying of the player's soul. This is the first video of yours that I've seen, Adam. Fantastic video. I just subbed.

[@wojciechgrodecki5320]

I got the same impression, I picked G before I knew it is G:) this sound is striking and so different than other keys. forgive me my English;)

[@IAmNoeyes]

I watching this becuase I'm getting a new Marine land my old C broke two reeds and Harmonicas are super addictive. I will retire my C glh after 27 years a smuggle into Army Boot camp, and a trip twice to Iraq. I. Am thinking of a G or a D

[@heavyglassglass]

@@IAmNoeyes How were you able to play your harp in boot camp? I would have never had enough time away from a DS to get away with that lmao. Still awesome you did it though

[@IAmNoeyes]

@@heavyglassglass very quietly, in the bathroom stalls. I still have the one. A Chinese Hohner GLH. I snuck it back after a Xmas break leave. They did not find it in my boot

[@IAmNoeyes]

Did I mention relaxin' Jackson.

[@Scott-mj4wm]

Amazing.... I never knew a harp could sound so good

[@Daz955i]

Just watched this and it’s really got me tapping my foot. Your knowledge vast and man can you play. Could listen to this all night. Thank you.

[@eldesgraciado6690]

6:23 Getting a G tomorrow.

[@KikaKika94]

How is it? :)

[@eldesgraciado6690]

@@KikaKika94 It's awesome, such a low sound. I'm going to compose a very depressing blues.

[@KikaKika94]

El Desgraciado Perfect, you do that! ⚡️🌟

[@jgbalboa]

@@eldesgraciado6690, quien te desgracio?

[@bigchungus6546]

@@eldesgraciado6690 Did u composed?

[@starkfaktory6920]

I loved his answer. Mine is the G. Love the low tones

[@eddiebear34]

That G harp really caught my attention. I'm VERY new to this and finding my feet. But I liked that and the D

[@jimbocarrino763]

I did not expect you to burst out singing like that. I was startled, but not disappointed.

[@wingnut4200]

You are compellingly hilarious. I am a fan and you are my harp mentor. At my age, that is saying something dude. Thanks.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

You, sir, are a Wing Nut. And that's a fine thing.

[@Narlz85]

This has got to be one of my favourite videos you have done, as an intermediate player this was a lot of fun to watch. The Ab harp has a special place in my heart, why? I'm not really sure, it just resonates with my soul. I was given a set of hohner blues harps (Ab,Bb,B,Db,D,Eb,F#) by a friend who had worked for hohner and when I played the Ab it was an incredible feeling. I only had a Bb and a C harp previous. You are right though, the lower key harps are like driving a truck compared to a C.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Trust the feeling. That's probably the main lesson of this video. Sounds like you did that, and that's good.

[@giusepperesponte8077]

I had a similar experience with a Bb crossover, when I got it, it didn’t even need to be gapped, it was just perfect. I never had a better harp than that until I got a blue moon custom.

[@or1227]

Great video! Honest and better than any professional video

[@javierf55]

Man, I just sit watching and enjoying your videos as I bought my first Hohner Crossover in C and I'm just starting to nail single notes. As any other instrument, harmonica looks as easy as when you see Federer playing tennis. Lots of fun by learning the harmonica. Now I'm dying 😢 trying with my first bend but I'm sure it will come soon.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

E flat is a very common guitar key because we guitarists like to tune it down half a step to make it easier to play certain stuff, most notably Hendrix, SRV or loads more stuff tbh, just makes it a lot easier for that type of electric blues 😎🤘

[@thekenandmisty]

adam not only do u shred on the harp but you are the coolest dude in town bro.

[@BottleneckMoses]

Man, every harp you pick up sounds like magic.

[@crazykraken3563]

To me the blues sound lies directly in between the middle of the keys and lowest part of the keys. G-a-b-C-d-e-F. Which means it's directly between G and C which is Bb. You've got it Adam.

[@joecvimedical]

Why do they all sound so good when you do it?

[@jstone8700]

Cus ur right

[@jstone8700]

I've done every headtrip he's doing.. But I prefer his doing it

[@jstone8700]

He's in the zone

[@MartinGow-wv6ch]

You are a great player mate.....

[@JB-rw9xt]

Absolutely right. Its what sound blusiest to me. Hoping Adam has done or will do a blusiest mic and bluesiest amp video.

[@Rickblues46]

Just a great feel for IT Adam love listening to you play and talk .. so thank you !

[@terrynicholson3810]

Just watched this and very informative, LEGEND……just bought the Marine Band Crossover. Hope i can play like i did 15 years ago on my £20 hohner x

[@saucissonfurtif]

I use the Low D harp when i make some country-blues, really nice sound for it. Totally in love with the key of G for low bluesy sound, really nice .

[@olivertheemoji5424]

I am really liking this Homer Polar Db Harmonica. It is most definitely havier in weight compared to the Marine bands and I really like that

[@JackJazzm]

Great presentation bredren 👍🏾 Thanks for sharing

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

Just when you said your voice sat well in a particular key I knew I had to find that for myself the hunt is on thanks man good work

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes, it took me decades to realize that.

[@mattpanipucci5045]

It's not the key, it's the way you play it and the mood you are feeling.. love the way Adam plays

[@franksDk]

Depends on the position, the player/harp and the tune for band. I like the D-harpe while band in A (second postion): Sharp and distinct. Im a smoker so A and G takes too much air...havent played on flat-tuned harps...Gussow - you are a highly trained player with a good sound. Thanks for sharing your knowledge :-)

[@helihandler]

COOL BEANS Adam :-) well discussed and demonstrated, keep em coming! always a joy to watch and listen.

[@marshalllaw5349]

That G riff touched my soul

[@doctiberius2717]

Excellent information here to play solo harp but find a guitarist who likes Blues to jam along with and play those popular Blues standards 😎🎸🎶

[@dosanchoas]

"advanced" harmonica player here, & i "stuck around for some fun!" MAD SKILLZ, adam, & you've a keen sense of humor: this one...., no THIS one!

[@szucsmartontamas6035]

Thanks to you, I bought my secound harmonica, being a true beginner tho. Was trying to get into C, however, when you played on that smmoth G... I just had to buy one.

[@Matersoup]

Bb is one of my favorites.

[@sebastiansteensland]

Great video dad

[@Casper-zw7uy]

you have a awesome dad

[@auraleaks9627]

@@Casper-zw7uy col dad bro whats your favorite key ?

[@joetaylor486]

So the bluesiest key is the one you like for what you play. No body else could say that with the same authority. Lovely vid.

[@pamminer6000]

I’m glad I watched this.

[@dannyburch4973]

Just ordered a Honer c not marine but .....25 buck difference I'm going to try... Thanks for your help.

[@gordontulloch3]

the c actually sounded pretty good for a second Adam thanks!

[@TheHenderse]

Thank you Adam. Great teaching as always.

[@DustyCowdog]

I'm glad you said that the bluesiest key is the one that sounds bluesiest... 'cause I'm a new harp player -- old -- and I like the Bb and G. Those are my faves. Dig your videos and I hope I can get good enough to busk for fun! And If I make enough for a Big Mac meal, all the better! Cheers!

[@mr.bonesbbq3288]

Really been enjoyin yer vidyas, Adam! Been playin harpoonicus fer many decades, always love learnin new things!

[@rickmiller9557]

Nice playing. I have had them all, but A has always been my favorite.

[@theone31man]

Sir, you are right on the money. Trust your instincts and either lead or follow.

[@sk22ng]

Makes perfect sense. Sometimes I get frustrated in a long practice session & switch to playing improve on a "C" harp in G to release frustrations. I usually play harmonicas in A, Bb, C, D and sometimes a G in my daily practice sessions. Like you said in the video they all play the same but in different keys. I have destroyed reeds in B flat harmonicas more often than any of the other keys. I, too seem to favor playing a Bb for blues.

[@Stefan-lz7vj]

From half and hour I'm wondering should I buy fender blues and in what key, then I thought maybe b flat and few minutes later I saw your comment

[@sk22ng]

@@Stefan-lz7vj A lot of beginners start with a harmonica tuned to the key of C because it is the key in the middle of the piano so to speak. For me this key uses the least amount of air and therefore takes less effort to play than any of the others. The reason I went through more B flats is because I played them the most often while I learned. I found that my harmonicas seem to wear about the same regardless of what key they are in. Although my favorite set to play is the Hohner Rocket Amp harps with the green plastic combs I also love my Lee Oskars as a close second and they are a little cheaper. They all have good seals and nice volume making them easy to play. I strongly suggest you get a nice harmonica to start on as they are more air tight and will make it much easier for you to learn on while encouraging you to practice often and enjoy the reward of gaining the added preficiency that will follow with every practice session. Play on!

[@Stefan-lz7vj]

I have special twenty in D and G, before that I had marine band but I lost it(The wood had swollen so it was not a big loss). In the shop they didn't have the key of c, that's why I had to buy in D and G, so I was thinking about cheaper harp, but at the end of the day I bought one of the expensive one, Crossover, I really hope that the bamboo wood makes a big difference, I really like the traditional sound of marine band, but the wood swells to easy.

[@dirkyow4789]

The timing of this is perfect! Thank you Mr.Gussow 🌟

[@jeffgerndt2813]

Nice video! Inspiring.

[@ivan_emege]

Low Eb is one of my favorites, alongside with A and Bb

[@spinnerone105]

An intermediate after five years of playing.. thanks to you! Great video! My favorite is A bc i like playing juke and whammer jammer and jimmy reed sounds. Like E for jump. G is great for an unknown you would really like...dave ferguson, "last train gone". Also like to play G with joe liggins "honey dipper". Would you ever consider a lesson on that one? Thanks for being an inspiration for us. Also liked that twice in this video you played your favorite "slow blues" tune. I play that on the river bank when i am taking a break from fishing!

[@DilltheLegend]

Thank you for making these videos, i just recently started and its been helping me battle addiction and gives me something i do anywhere at any time

[@douglesw]

I think G is well suited for country licks. I also use it playing over Am7 - Dm7 - Bm7- Em7 Bossa Nova Santana-like chika chika riffs on guitar. Smooth jazz feel

[@NiekopTube]

You (Lord Gussow!) are my favourit artist and teacher! I like your style, your presentation, your music and the way you make things clear! Great and thank you so much.

[@robertbrunston5406]

Good video! Thanks Adam.

[@GeoSkywalker]

Great video! Very informative and good advises for the beginners. I’m a beginner and have c harp which I think ill use for playing melodies and also Ive got a G harp which I also like for it’s low deep sound. And the next harp I will buy I think will be B flat as to me it sounds very blusy yet tender at the same time. I adore your videos Mr Gussow! Good luck!

[@luv2jive]

Thanks Adam !! - such a great vid from the most inspiring harp dude on the net - if G is a truck then F must be the super-car. I love my Special 20 in D flat. It just plays so well and can be as bluesy to.

[@xavierathorne]

G is very bluesie... 16 tons, PRISON bluesie! 😎

[@00vTv00]

Nice work, you are very talented.

[@mahjonglover3614]

I like "A" and "Bь" most versatile, always sounds great, "A" key is a must have, if you're gonna play with guitarist

[@JohnnieDorman77]

So if you gotta' have an A key harp for playing with a guitarist, does that mean the the guitarist is playing in his most common key of E? I just recently read somewhere that a harp in the key of E was ideal for using with a guitar player, and I guess that means that the guitar is playing in the key of E, too. Kinda' confused right now on that.

[@livingtheapocalypse8248]

Genius - love your style dude !

[@dr123hall]

Funny! Informative! Fantastic exploration of the form! Great Show!! Thank you very much!

[@keithwigley1256]

Excellent video...and get down and then up to your musicianship.....

[@gmoore6166]

Dude, I aspire to be on your level! Man you kill it!

[@terrygray4508]

Adam thanks for all your advice you are a true harmonica genius

[@LukeWelles]

That opening is really superb.

[@kitshrapnel8548]

Holy shit, that was fast and clean, you have upped my game and understanding, thanks

[@detroitbluesguy]

G takes a bunch of air..so quite smoking if you have that addiction going on..

[@sagnikpaul1811]

You mean "quit"?

[@Quazima115]

Don't get a G, noted!

[@Cannibal_Actual]

Yes I always get light headed when I play a g.

[@Sqoun]

I'm a heavy vaper. Plays G without an issue. Takes more air? maybe! Quit? not needed for that reason, but generally, quit smoking folks.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

G was the second harp I ever brought. Low F was my third, about 20 years ago. I didn’t really know what I was doing back then and if I could go back in time there are other harps I would have got instead. But I never found the G to take much more air or effort than a C, although I had to find a slightly different way to shape the inside of my mouth - especially for bending. I’ve always enjoyed the G. I love the tone of a G. That being said, I don’t have a favourite. It all depends what I’m playing and why I’m playing it.

[@victorveiga4589]

"Ok, that is you" lol you are awesome

[@sandybloom6117]

Adam, you are amazing and so helpful to old guys like me.

[@yoschieschmitt1929]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@SalineScott]

Gussow... I’ve got to set up some lessons with you. This was awesome and you have been my inspiration.

[@michaelanctil5475]

Great Video! Thank you so much!

[@mitchellgehrmann4225]

loving all that passion Guss

[@CMBDIA]

I got a C as my first key. After I watched this video, I really like the sound of the G key. Had to pick one up.

[@ricardoa5626]

Hi Gussow, if I ask you which key you personally use the most to play blues ? which key you like the most of you enjoy playing the most for blues ? please answer just 1 key, I understand that it depends of what style and songs, but you... you personally which key you feel is more helpful for blues in general ? tell us just 1, the best for you for blues in general please, Thanks for the excellent content videos

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Twelve years ago I started uploading blues harmonica lessons to KZbin and I used a B-flat harp for many of them. B-flat is a great key: low enough to get some of the growl of the A and G harp, but a shade higher and punchier. So there's an argument to be made for B-flat. But the truth is, every single key sounds blues, if you know what to do with it. F, for example, is very high, and it's not easy to control for some beginners. But Sonny Boy Williamson makes it sound incredibly bluesy.

[@gagetaylor7013]

I’ve found that you get the best of both worlds low and high range with Eflat and that’s the one that stuck out to me as the bluesiest lol but they are all versatile

[@jameshilliard5483]

Man, you are sooooo fffin good