Funky Blues Harmonica!! 

My boyfriends started playing harmonica about 5 years ago because of this video, now he has his own band ( MADABOUT BLUES BAND) and is playing every other weekend at many different places in the Orange County, Ca area (House of Blues Anaheim Downtown Disney, Hollywood, O.C. Fair, Diapiazza's, Queen Mary, and many other blues clubs) as well as local jam spots and company parties. And uses music very purposely to touch many peoples lives with his warm personality.... He references you and this video to people when they ask how he got started.... THANK YOU RONNIE for helping to enhance his life with the art of music!!!

i'm such an ass, i've only listened to this vdeo 3 or 4 thousands times, and just now liked it

wow, i watched this vid 5 years ago when it only had about 100 views, started to play harp, 5 years later i can almost play as good as this, thanks ronnie, your vids helped me get there.

this video was uploaded when I was 5 years old now in 2020 im 18 years old AND I LOVE IT last year I bought a C blues delux fender harp taking lessons and tips from only youtube, im doing really good right now!

I think that this is the closest thing there is to a harmonica recruitment video.

Never in my life have I seen a harp being played so well my god mate ur amazing . Massive respect from the uk

The main driving force behind this effect is actually the tongue which is moving quickly in a back and forth motion (saying "yo yo"). The hand which I used a bit is making a subtle change in the sound to shape it. I also have a video out which explains this effect and others from this clip. It's called "Funky Blues Harmonica techniques described"

I Have been playing for over 20 years now,i used to practice for 4-5 hours a day as that what it takes to get good.It took me about 6 years to get to playing this type stuff,its just dedication and practice.

1:13-1:21 is driving me crazy!!! OMG! this is amazing.

It is most creaziest, funkiest, groovies, bluesy improvisation ever! This 2 minutes improvisation change my life- really. When i heard that first time i ask myself WTF? it is possible to play that? If someday i play that i will be happiest man on earth. And i listen that every day, i try play that year by year, but i understand nothing. I spend 12 long year to learn that stuf. And now in 2021 i can play Funkie Blues Harmonica. I made that myself by ear! Some part of my harplayin life are finish. Now i am happy and sad. Happy because my little dream come true. Sad because I have finished the pursuit of something unsurpassed. I feel happy and, at the same time I feel empty. I don't know if I will ever find a song that evokes so many emotions in me.

Jesus christ! That's absolutely spectacular! Wow!

I found this amazing harmonica blues about 12 years ago. I am still coming back for listening. You are awesome!!!!!!

I just picked up harmonica and you my friend are my new teacher. I want to be like you when I grow up

You were only a mere boy then, but already you were a man. The king! 👑

Don't stop playing..keep going and you continue to have breakthroughs. Be specific with what you play and try to recreate exact nuances, don't settle for anything less!

This 18 year old video is part of why im getting one now. Hope youre well and still ripping it up out there!

11 years later. still great.

Some things are genius and put a smile on your face; this is one of those things. Sublime!

This video inspires me every day

cant help but gravitate back to this,,ronnie your off the charts bra,,,

2019 anyone?

ahhhhhhhhhhh my ears are burning and so is my soul.

I'm 41, i was 35 at the time of the video

I saw this video for the first time like 10 years ago. In the while I started playing guitar, and yesterday I bought my first harmonica. It's time to learn. Thank you Ronnie.

wow!

First saw this 11 years ago, in the hayday of RU-vid, it feels like there was only a handful of content on here back then, so many people watched the same things. You were there right from the start! I had just started studying music too, and had gotten myself a harmonica to go with my saxophone. This video blew me away back then, and still does.

1:13 - 1:17 How do you do that?

the old days are awesome

adamda at ciğeri var dayı

This guy has way too much swag to be playing a harmonica!

This is soo badazz!! Guys should know hwo to play harmonica when they are sad man. Oh man, that would cheer anyone up. Just jam to a solid beat like this and jive out!!

dont get the hate of some people, man he's amazing. wish i could even play. be glad u can listen to this :)

I have watched you do this a hundred times, and I am still amazed! You are amazingly amazing!

This is the best advert for a harmonica ever "go play one"

Im in love! You played that like your soul was the harmonica.." yeah "!

WOW! Love it! You must play every day. Brilliant way to exercise the lungs.

Thank you for the comments everyone. I appreciate it.

Aa a harp player, piano player, a guitar player, and a singer, this video is legit so satisfying to watch.

PractisePractise Practise Practise Practise Practise Practise Practise Practise !!!!!!!!!!1 Great Man ... !!!!!

Excellent Man!!! if you like blues harmonica STRONGLY recommend Don baker from dublin as bono described him the FINEST blues harmonica player ever!!!!

Just watched it again for about the millionth time Cool funky Blues

every morning while cleaning i go out of my SOUL!!!!! and dance whit the universe go on and make us happy!! ty

You'll love the Chicago Sessions, the whole album is excellent!

Breath and play ! J'adore ! i love it !

You're mostly right. A lot of the licks he plays use the pentatonic scale, but he does play a lot of scales that use F (not F#). That's because blues doesn't use a regular major scale for it's melodies, but rather an alternate "major scale" called the mixolydian mode. It's the same idea, but it uses the minor 7th (F) instead of the major 7th (F#). They also use the blues scale, which also includes the minor 7th as an important note.

wow.. that is whats called talent!!!

Give it too me baby!!!! Love it....and you!

U're just AWESOME! I've recently started playing harmonica (I've got a marine band in C) and I just hope I can play like u one day. Congratulations! xxx

I like the way Ronnie Shellist has captured the original blues harp sound and style. I also dig how he has blended that style with a more modern sound. When I listen to him jam, my playing improves significantly.

Love the sounds from 1:13

i must say thisssssss... OMG.. i would have never guest.. lookin at you or anyone for that fact they could play a song like that.. omgggggg.. i am so out doneeee.. you are outstandingggggg... AND I MEAN IT.. HATERSSSSSSS STEP BACKKKKK.. THIS IS ONE MAN YOU CAN NOTTTTTT.. TOUCH... NOT ON THE HARMONICAAAAAAA.. FORGET.. GIVE IT UP .. A MATTER OF FACT.... DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.... IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN... well doneeeeeeeee... need i say more... big HUGSSSSSSSS.. i am so excited ... wow...

Pashion and mastery. Brilliant.

nie znam sie na grze na harmonijce,dopiero kilka filmików przsłuchałem,ale tu widać od razu,że ma sie do czynienia z mistrzem

Ronnie, I just played this clip again today (May 27 2022) for inspiration. Thanks!

so i got my harmonica today after many months of watching you play. i hope i get this good someday ohhhhhhhhhhhhh boy

best harp player out there love this lick

dude you play this instrument with soul and i like it a lot

The shape of his hand determines the tone, and changing it's shape that quickly can have a cool effect. Changing the resonance changes the tone. In this case, his hand what was resonating the sound. If you try putting your mouth on the speaker of your phone while it plays a ring tone, try opening and closing your mouth, its the same idea..

The new William Clarke!! Thanks, i'm loving it!

He's got a hamonica mic on the stand behind him, this guy's legit. sounds great man keep it up!

I've been playing the blues harp for 35 years and can' touch you.

thanks..i play out regularly here in Denver,CO with my blues band, teach privately and through Skype on the internet, and I also work hard to offer download harmonica lessons on website listed in the title of this clip. I also have plenty of free lessons posted here on youtube.

Oh yes! What sweet playing. I am a total novice. You inspire me!

as my late would say to me 50 years ago ..." stop playing that dirty music!". Outstanding

praise the lord

WOW is the only word tht comes into my mind wheni see this ! FAIR PLAY !!

Relly well played... Short note for XAmbermooi: If you start to learn on harmonica, try a Seydel 1847 Classic. Really fast response, round edge, wood is chemically prepared for a lot of moist, so it's not getting out of the cover. Really one of the best harmonicas i've ever played. And additionally they prepare it for overbands so it really works out of the box!! The only problem is the price. So if you will really decide to learn on harmonica - try Seydel!

Amazing! Got my first Harmonica today. I'll have to check out site for tips. I can not stress this enough...AMAZING.

This is how you play the harmonica! Great deep tone and sustained passion.

After viewing this many times;I must applaud the stops and starts! It’s easy to get a bit carried away and you times this perfect. This is one video I always come back to. It’s addictive, and pure virtuoso! I mean truly, like the guy mentioned earlier. This is definitely a recruitment video,but I never wanted to just learn or play the harp. I wanted to master, than be considered very good. Anyhow this is like a harmonica free style. A funky harmonica which is jaw dropping. This is gotta be the best harmonica clip on you tube, just raw and untamed! We love it! By the way, I’ve progressed a lot,the harmonica demands respect, before it’ll allow you to play it. I’ve learned that the hard way! Thanks Ronnie, your very good. I’ll be good too!

Im still watching these in pandemic era..thank God.. my booster since i was high school, 2006

unbelievable......bravo..... my friend you make me huppy

Seriously, fantastic!!

This video got me started playing over 12 years ago. Still watch it once a month.

WTF!!! Just blow me away, out right AMAZING!!!!!

I can feel the energy you blow through the harmonica! The reason why its sounds freaking good is because you play with feeling, there are allot of harmonica players how don't know how to do this. Brilliant harp playing!

Man you are a genius!!!!! love you style of improv!!!!

J'avais 15ans quand vous avez sortie cette vidéo 🙂 longue vie a vous .

15 years later, this is still so amazing!!!

I tell you what, this guy is amazing! I love his cheeky little sign off too- "go play one". Like all you'd have to do is spend a few bucks on an old special 20 to shred like that. It takes a lifetime to play blues harp like that. AND you'd better be naturally gifted as well. Hats off to you, Ronnie!

The Harmonica, by far the most badass instrument ever

Holy wha! Excellent tone and very good display of talent to execute some tricky licks.

One thing that you need to ask, is how often does he practice. “Yes” You too can be as good, or even better if you… ONE… Practice. TWO… Practice Three… Practice more… Just start with the basics. And timing, it’s all in the timing. And by the way… He is good.

ah!! reminds me of when i used to ride those old rail carts down to St. Louis

@XAmbermooi, yeah Ronnie is a BEAST on the harp! I would recommend making the "Golden Melody key of C" your first harp. It's round edges, and air-tight body makes this harp extremely responsive, and has a nice clear & bright sound with minimal effort! A great place to start! You'll be making sweet sounds in no time, which is important for the beginner, if you make it past the initial frustrations your hooked for life!! How do you eat an Elephant? "One bite at a time" remember that..Good luck!

I have this Vid in my Favourites for about 6 or 7 years now and i just can't stop watching it :D

That must be one happy lady!

go play one :D think i'll go do that then. Mindblowing performance, could listen to that 24/7. Thanks!

Pure Raw Talent!

I didn't pick it up until I was around 25. so i would definitely say it's not too late. check out my video description for info. on instructional material.

Love the hamonica and he is good!

no todos pueden tocar la harmonica es un don con lo que se nace..no se no puedo explicarlo...

I am so proud of you ! Well done ! Love it ! love it !

I salute you Sir. If you guys check up the Evolution of RU-vid video on RU-vid, you will find that when that video reaches that part 'July 19th, 2006 ' , this video is shown as a thumbnail there. Loads of respect to you Sir. Nostalgia ✔️

I like playing along to it. I mean, i suck, and i sound nothing like that, but for some reason my sucky playing sounds better when i can hear this as well. Give it a go.

I Just wanna say THANK YOU FOR THIS SONG!!!!! I wake up every day with this song from you about you i buy me a harmonica too and i hope maybe at one day i can play like you. Big Holla from Germany/Bavaria aka Cemocan

Vraiment Excellent !!! Trop fort !!! Bravo !!!

That sir, was amazing

That there is some chops alright! Wow!

what a great feeling going on there...