Playing Quietly

Although blues harmonica is usually thought of as a loud, raucous instrument, every player should know how to dial the volume back while keeping the soulfulness high. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.

Here's that Very Modern Blues Harmonica lesson in mention in the video. Gussow swallows the bot and spits it back!

If you're interested in learning how to play blues harmonica, please visit Gussow's website, Modern Blues Harmonica.

[LiquidPaper]

Thank you so much for your legendary videos Mr. Gussow

[SwampCityRadio]

Was hanging out with the front porch blues video with B flat harmonica in hand and was thinking about how to reproduce the nuance and subtlety in Mr. Gussow's playing and chanced on this fresh upload. Fantastic!

[waynek]

This man has given me the desire to practice. I cant believe all ive learned from him. Thanks

[ChiTherapie]

Hi Adam, i started to play the harmonica a week ago. Found you on you tube, sitting in a car teaching ha ha. And now trough my vpn watching Satan & Adam. I must say : you are a special person. Love your personality. Thank you for being who you are. Your my inspiration to learn how to play at the age of 62. Love it. Dear greetings from me in Holland

[Andy-der-Kritische]

Hear you playing is like a sunny afternoon with good Feelings. I love it. Greetings from Saxony/Germany.

[OmniphonProductions]

WELCOME BACK!!! I actually paused this video several times, so I could practice. It's interesting how, over time, I've found I can suck at something...play a lot of something totally different...and then come back and somehow be immediately better at the thing I sucked at. (Sorry about the dangling preposition.) I suspect I'm not the only one to experience this. I assume it's a result of laying adjacent groundwork...like a Zen Archer who never thinks about the bullseye, only the _steps_ in the process. At any rate, thanks for another great lesson in playing quietly _and_ in maximizing long, low notes for _emotional_ effect to be used _with, _ rather than _instead of_ lightning-fast licks for _technical_ impressiveness.

[BOWELLSAYS]

Outstanding.6 months into playing harmonica. AI has no chance. You need soul to play harmonica which you clearly have💪

[mjhardiman]

Just got one today not giving up gonna learn patiently

[ivanchavez]

Adam! Was great meeting you guys in Rome. Great work on the videos. I have tons of catching up.

[luisdesantis]

I have played quietly few times, at hotels, at the doctor’s office, car wash, repair shop, etc. It can be very satisfying and I often come up with a new riff :)

[mezz]

BRO you are BACK after a while!!! So GLAD!!!!

[ZvikaDror]

Great to see and hear ya man!
The most beautiful harmonica sounds come out peacefully, calmly, without stressing the reeds, so it sings.
I hanged out at Ikea a couple days ago with my family, jamming ideas and melodies with a pocket harp, passed around 2000 people and no one was bothered by my constant playing, surprisingly not even my wife :)
People worrying about practicing at night, can get a side-closed model, without the vents, which is really quiet, and use a lower key which responds easier and more pleasant at night.
Cheers

[markwathen]

We met in Clarksdale for a short moment you signed an autograph harmonica. I gave it to Rachelle Plas
Gave Deak Harp a old Hohner display case

[ThomasOconnor-rn]

Super stuff I’ve been trying to play for years you simplify it to lay man terms pal I love it well done from an elder lemon 💯👍☘️🇮🇪❤️

[rprtbro]

Love your videos man. I use to watch your channel all the time about 6 or 7 years ago. I've been traveling alot and living on the road all around the country. Didn't spend alot of time on the internet or YT. I'm happy to find your videos again. My girlfriend bought me a harmonica for my birthday and it instantly reminded me of you and I was like wow I gotta find your channel again.

[CARTCURT]

Hello Mr. Gussow, I want u to know that u inspire people even from Turkey, I am one of them, thank you.

[deborahzuskan]

What a refreshing and reassuring video. Great to see and hear you again. Enjoyed your first book, Adam, looking forward to the new one.

[heiko]

Thank You Adam. It feels so good to listen to You. Have a great trip!

[SwampCityRadio]

I have a friend that speaks softly, not in a way that is annoyingly quiet, or at least only a little bit, but because it has authority behind it, because his words are well chosen, it makes you lean in to hear it. Maybe there is a style of playing like that.

[jaredivey]

I need to work on this. I recently had my breakthrough harp day at the park. Since then all I want to do is play but I live in a small apartment and I get loud. I don't like holding back when I'm all in. It'd be nice to get out of the woodshed once in awhile.