How to play the harmonica

The harmonica, or mouth organ, is a hand-held rectangular musical instrument. As the musician inhales and exhales into constantly spaced air channels, the metal reeds within create musical tones. The length and thickness of the reed delimits the note which is heard. Derived from the Jew's harp and Chinese sheng of primitive times, the harmonica has engendered different nicknames, including blues harp, pocket piano and Mississippi saxophone. Since its beginnings in the early 1800s, the harmonica has been played in variety of musical forms, from classical to folk to country to rock to blues to jazz.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A silent environment
• Appreciating audience

1. Though it is impossible to finger out the exact day that the harmonica was invented, the first patent was issued to the teenaged Christian Friedrich Buschmann of Thuringer (now Germany) for his aura, a 4 in (10 cm) mouth organ that featured 21 blow notes arranged chromatically. It was posthastely imitated throughout Europe and went by many names, such as mundharmonika, mundaeoline, psallmelodikon and symphonium. In 1826, Joseph Richter, a Bohemian instrument maker produced a variation which was to become the standard. Richter's version featured 10 holes with 20 reeds on two separate plates which approbated both blow notes and draw notes. The plates were ascended on either side of a cedar comb. He tuned it to a diatonic, or seven-note, scale.
2. The diatonic is mostly used for blues, country- There are two main types of harmonicas, the chromatic harmonica and diatonic harmonica. Although the chromatic is extremely versatile, the harmonica which is predominantly used in blues, rock, country, folk, etc. is called the diatonic harmonica (blues harp type). It doesn't have all the notes like the chromatic harmonica but many of the notes that are not naturally found can be acquired by "bending" certain draw (inhale) and blow (exhale) notes.
   
   People who play the diatonic harmonica- Players associated with the diatonic would include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Mickey Raphael, John Popper, Huey Lewis, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Terry, and so on.
   
   The chromatic harmonica is not recommended for the instruction on this site- The chromatic harmonica has a button on the side which allows you to play the normal major scale, and with the button depressed, gives you all the half steps or notes in between. This allows you to play any scale, in any key, but you can't bend notes very well on this instrument so you don't get the same "bluesy" sound as on the diatonic. The chromatic is mostly used for jazz, classical- The chromatic is typically used in jazz, classical, and pop music. Stevie Wonder, Toots Thielemans, and Larry Adler are three of the best known players of this instrument.
3. Playing Tips
   
   * The further you can put the harmonica into your mouth without losing the single note, the better.
   
   
   * Listen to as much harmonica as you can. Make a tape of your favorite players and songs and listen to it over and over again. Drive time is ideal for this.
   
   
   * If you are just starting out on harmonica, don't try to "play music" right away. Spend a couple of weeks just concentrating on the basic techniques; establishing good habits with single notes, holding the harmonica, etc. The "music" will come soon enough.
   
   
   * Stay as relaxed as you can when you play and practice. You will use your energy much more efficiently and ultimately be able to play faster and last longer. The trouble areas for tension are usually: the shoulders, the neck, and the whole face in general, but especially the eyes and mouth area. Watch yourself in the mirror.
   
   
   * There is no such thing as cheating in music. Do the best you can to follow the rules and steps in learning the basics, but foremost, try to make things work. Bending is a great example. Do whatever it takes to make the note bend; you can clean up the technique later.
   
   
   * If you find your lips sticking to the harmonica when you slide or move from hole to hole, lick your lips and the mouthpiece part of the harmonica before playing. Do this whenever necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• People suffering from asthema and serious breathing problems should not attempt to play harmonica.