How To Play Blues Harmonica – Absolute Beginner | Day 1

Have you always wanted to play blues harmonica? Begin here, with a harmonica in the key of C. Your host is Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica. Gussow also appears in "Satan & Adam," a documentary about his longtime blues duo currently screening on Netflix. The harmonica is a Hohner Marine Band.

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:
Modern Blues Harmonica beginner's deluxe:

You should also check out the following pages at MBH:

Here are some other popular "absolute beginner" lessons I've uploaded to YouTube over the years:

[Pung_Fungler]

Sitting here with a c-key harmonica from the 80’s laughing my ass off as you tell me that it’s going to change my life, but with all the passion ya got I can’t help but believe ya. Great video lol

[thewisemanwalks]

My husband... Where do I start. Being retired, he's been trying to find something to do to fill his hours of "him time". God save us all, he's found music. He's tried trumpet. That found it's way into the trash one day. He bought a violin that "fell behind a cabinet and is currently still "missing". Then he some friends gave him their Marlboro codes and he got a harmonica through the mail las week... I nearly drove it up his ass with my foot last week until I came across this tutorial. I sat him down in front of the laptop with that horrible noise maker of his. Well, it's a week later now. He's no maestro, but then again, his playing is far better than something that sounds like a cat with it's nuts in a vice, so thank you very much for the video! His playing sounds allot better and he continues to improve daily. Good job! :)

[colincampbell]

Any new people - Adam is a wonderful teacher - stay with him if you really want to learn the harp.

[jupiterjames-reynolds]

Ive been a bass player for years and i play a bit of guitar too but ive never played an instrument involving breathing. Last year i had a collasped lung so ive decided to learn the blues harmonica now to practice breathing and encourage myself to practice breathing.

[kacygoebel]

My dad was a master with his guitar and Harmonica at c the same time. I'm the only onenof his kids that plays more than 1 instrument... my beloved Daddy passed before I could get to learning this one. I will be playing it at his services in 3 weeks. Thank you for the assist here. You are a fantastic teacher. It would thrill my dad to no end to see me learn this. Thank you

[vicval]

Adam, I have had my blues harp for 25 years and played it briefly at the start. Coincidentally, it is a Hohner in 'C'. I hung.on to it because I knew one day I would pick it up again. Now, at the age of 61, you have inspired me to get started. Thanks for starting me on this journey.

[gibrancantu]

I was wondering why were you playing inside your car, then I bought a harmonica and my girlfriend keeps nagging at me. The struggle is real.

[dennyrulos]

Dude just keeps shredding mid sentence like he's possesed by some harmonica blues Denon and can't control it

[MR.E]

The best sign of a great music teacher, is when the person cant help but have a good time while teaching you. I picked up most of what he was teaching before the video was over just playing along, if this rate continues ill be able to make believe I’m an actual musician in no time 😂 😂

[Backshot_bencho]

You didn’t stumble across this video.. you looked this gem up. Thank for sharing this with us 🙏🏼

[nadiab]

This lesson brought me so much joy! Literally got my harmonica for Christmas 😁thank you for leading me through the first lesson 👏 greetings from Ukraine

[two-sense]

I have zero interest in learning how to play the harmonica, BUT. I watched the entire video because this man is a perfect example of a natural born teacher. What a gift he is giving to musicians!

[tonyfranklin]

Dusted off a harmonica I got YEARS ago. Thought it was easy then but hard to find lessons. Stumbled across this while drinking coffee this morning...15 min and I'm playing something that sounds like music!!! Thank you Adam!

[georgesimmons]

this is so awesome. my dad passed years ago and he left me his harmonica . now in my 40s I want to learn and play for the people

[lebeardotnet]

My dad left me his Hohner C harmonicas and I've recently decided to give it a go, this is the first video to start learning the basics.

[andrewvivona]

I picked this sucker up after seeing it a Cracker Barrel restaurant by the register on a whim. You listen to someone play a snappy tune on a mouth harp and you can't help but smile. I'm in. Love your video. Thank you.

[ramseyhammer]

I am a 26 year old girl from Minnesota & I feel that I am an old soul. I love blues & 60’s/70’s/80’s rock. I just purchased a Hohner harmonica & i just wanna say thank you Adam, for sharing your hard earned knowledge with the internet. This type of knowledge is priceless. I’ll be practicing with what I have learned from your videos so far.

[kevinmaden]

I'm here in 2025 and have just bought my first harmonica ever, I'm 21 years old and your video is a huge help, thank you very much!

[futuresdojo]

You have been the ONLY individual that has gone straight to the point with what we NEED to get started.

1. You clearly demonstrated what the "right" harmonica looks like and what the "wrong" one looks like.

2. You explained what diatonic means and what chromatic means.

My good sir, hats of to you! You stand out above the rest and you've earned my immediate respect. I've subscribed and am sticking with you to learn how to play the harp.

[ebbegrunwald]

I am 81 and have played the violin since I was 8. Classical, folk and jazz. To day my fingers won’t work properly. Now I have purchased several harmonicas and I have followed your excellent lessons. Within an month I have learned much about the holes and the special draw- and blow technic. I play lots of Danish songs, which I have within me. Now I train the fascinating american blues technic. Hope I one day will be able to master it. Thank you.