How to Play the Single Note Pucker With a Harmonica

There are two ways to play the harmonica: the tongue blocking or single note pucker. The single note pucker is a good method to start out with as a beginner. With the single note pucker method, you use the lower lip to get a single note from the harmonica.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Harmonica

1. Hold the harmonica gently with both of your hands, one hand on either side of the instrument, and bring it up close to your mouth.

2. Place your tongue behind your top front teeth. Keep your tongue there as you play.

3. Bring your lips to the harmonica. Your lips should be relaxed and not puckered at this time.

4. Rest your top lip lightly on the harmonica, while pushing your lips out toward the instrument.

5. Push your bottom lip out just enough to get a single note.

6. Blow out and in, trying to get that single note. Keep playing with this method until you can get a single note and go across the harmonica as you experiment with your mouth position.

Tips & Warnings

• The single note pucker is a little easier to do than tongue blocking if you are just starting out. Start with the single note pucker to get familiar with the harmonica.
• The upper lip should not pucker much at all as you play.
• Keep practicing this method until you can play single notes relatively easily. Once you get good at the single note pucker, you can move on to tongue blocking.