Blues Harmonica Class and Lesson - Joe Filisko class with Dennis Gruenling

January 2010, Joe FIlisko invited me again to be a special guest in his Harmonica Class in Chicago at the Old Town School of Folk Music...I like to open up with a little jam, and this is that...and of course we proceeded to talk about Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, George Harmonica Smith, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Hohner Harmonicas, Papa Lightfoot, both Sonny Boy Williamson's as well as many other Harmonica related topics like bending notes, tongue-blocking techniques and more...
Dennis Gruenling has a Blues Harmonica website - BadAss Harmonica, with tons of information, music, jam tracks, tshirts, and more ...Some of his favorite players include - little walter, big walter, james cotton, junior wells, george harmonica smith, carey bell, john littlejohn, elmore james, jimmy rogers, muddy waters, kim wilson, rod piazza, william clarke, nick curran, sean costello, rick estrin, steve guyger, papa lightfoot, jim liban, sonnyboy williamson

[@elstongunn5603]

This represents Dennis at the height of his powers, away from Nick Moss and the obligation to sing. He sets the standard against whom all modern blues harp players should be measured. You might conclude I like him.

[@DennisGruenling]

Elston Gunn thanks! I think I play better now, haha, but appreciate the compliment! I don’t necessarily say I have an “obligation” to sing, it’s that I finally started singing after shying away from it for 20 years 😂 Thank you for the kind words 🙏🏻🎶🙏🏻

[@elstongunn5603]

Not meaning to diminish your vocals, but you're such a great harp player it's refreshing to hear you outside of the "blues-rock" confines, in a more creative and subtle framework. If you "play better now", I don't believe it but would love to hear it. Please include an example in one of your "Tunesdays" - I've got your back, whatever you do.

[@billsmithakasaltedpopcorn9095]

Dam that’s a sweet sound, I enjoy watching you play, your sound is solid and yours.

[@danycosta9672]

🌹

[@hrishi_cache]

Clever! Thanks for all the wonderful stuff..

[@mcconn746]

Dennis, It is good to hear you again. You probably don't remember me but I was at a Gindick Harmonica camp a couple of decades ago. You and Ricci were there. I created an Excel spreadsheet for you after that. I love your sound. It is amazing the sounds you get out of a harmonica. Take care.

[@DennisGruenling]

Hey thanks!! Of course I remember you…hope you have been well 👍🎶

[@mcconn746]

@@DennisGruenling I am 73 and relatively healthy. How are you and family?

[@williamhoughton1484]

This is my type of playing Fantastic!

[@DennisGruenling]

Thank you! Just having fun and going wherever the music takes me

[@nickgrantartist]

Fantastic! Thank you so much Dennis

[@DennisGruenling]

Nick Grant thank you! 🙏🏻

[@craighargrave5297]

Awesome playing Dennis!!

[@DennisGruenling]

Thanks! Always a good time when I stop by Filisko’s class!

[@mr4putt]

so good...always impressed w/ Dennis. BadAss harmonica is fitting. Now if we could only get out and see him play w/ NMB soon!

[@DennisGruenling]

mr4putt at some point when I can travel safely! Thanks!

[@boydross]

You are 10 times better than joe any day

[@Bootsharmonica]

Just brilliant

[@DennisGruenling]

Thank you! Always a good time to play to a captive harp crowd 🎶

[@jangohemmes352]

Very nice. I think I haven't paid enough attention, because I didn't know Dennis overblowed. There are a few in there, very spicy little insertions

[@DennisGruenling]

Jango Hemmes Thanks! I’ve been tongue-blocking and overblowing (even on recordings) since the 90’s. Howard Levy once told me I couldn’t do it, but I was already doing it then (that was ‘95 maybe?)...glad you dug it, thank you!

[@Nicofrog]

The best !

[@DennisGruenling]

Nicofrog hey hey! Thank you, always fun with some friends!

[@ER-me1ii]

What planet is he from? Please tell me. There are a handful of players I can think of that make me think “how is this humanly possible”? Guys like him, Kim, Jason, Howard. Makes me wonder “why do I even try”?

[@DennisGruenling]

Thank you so much!! We all have our own path and it’s not a competition. You know what they say, the only competition is within yourself 🎶👍 I’m always trying to just be better than I was yesterday

[@robertshoemaker8207]

Swinging It!!!

[@DennisGruenling]

Robert Shoemaker it don’t mean a thing...

[@TetrisWaffle]

This is so sick

[@DennisGruenling]

Thanks! 😎👍🎶

[@leovermeiren]

😉👍😎

[@oxharp]

Class with a capital C.

[@DennisGruenling]

Oxharp thank you!!

[@culturaarte7622]

Los músicos no siente emoción mucha improvisación y satura la melodía se olvida que hay músicos

[@bretthowser6777]

Demasiado notas

[@boydross]

Joe Filisko does not impress me