How to Play Harmonica Scales

The harmonica, a wind instrument used in a variety of types of music, requires practice and patience to play correctly. Harmonica scales--musical notes grouped together and repeated--are learned with proper instruction. Discover how to play harmonica scales to learn the foundation of the music.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose a harmonica scale to play that matches with the key of your harmonica. If you are playing a harmonica in a "C" key, play the "C" scale.

2. Know that the basic music scale consists of the notes "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti" and the music can start at any note. If you start at the "fa" note, end at the "fa" note at an octave higher.

3. Take lessons to learn the numbered harmonica holes and the corresponding notes for each hole. Each hole in the harmonica has 2 notes--one made when you blow air into the hole and one note created when you suction air out of the hole. To play the "C" scale on the harmonica, blow into the fourth hole for the "C" note and suction air out of the fourth hole for the "D" note.

4. Blow air into the fifth hole for the "E" note and suction air out of the fifth hole for the "F" note. Blow air into the sixth hole to create the "G" note, suction air out of the sixth hole for the "A" note. Suction air out of the seventh hole for the "B" note and repeat the scale starting with the "C" note.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice harmonica scales during your lessons often until you can make one single note at a time. This requires proper tongue placement and lip movement.