How to Play a Blues Harmonica

Playing blues harmonica takes patience. The key is not so much coming up with lightning fast riffs and intricate rhythmic techniques as learning how to give the notes you play the right soulful, bluesy feel.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blues harmonica
• Blues music

1. Buy a good blues harmonica in the key of C. The Huang Silvertone is a good starting model if you want to go with something inexpensive. The Hohner Special 20 and Lee Oscar Diatonic harmonica are serious professional models at a reasonable price.

2. Learn the single hole embouchure. First, put the harmonica loosely between the lips, then pucker them until you can play one single note by drawing in or blowing out.

3. Learn how to draw bend. Start by drawing in on the hole two.

4. As you are drawing in, say the word "ear." As you say the "r," you should hear the note drop and feel a change in the airflow. If not, keep trying.

5. Learn to control your bend. By varying the airflow and the position of your tongue and throat, you can learn to change how far you bend the note.

6. Learn articulation. By mouthing the syllables "tah," "hah," and "kah," you can control the beginning and end of each note.

7. Listen to a lot of blues. Include different styles such as Chicago, Piedmont and Delta blues. The more influences you listen to, the better.

8. Learn the basic 12 bar blues progression. The link below explains the basics of playing the 12 bar blues.

9. Learn the circle of fifths. In blues harmonica, you usually play in a key 5 half steps above what your harmonica is keyed in. For example, a C harmonica plays blues in G, a G harmonica plays blues in D, and so on. This is called "cross harp."

10. Get some more harps. If you can afford it, buy all 12 keys. At minimum, however, you should have A, B flat, C, G, D and F.

11. Play along with blues recordings. Find what you like and imitate it. With the basic keys you have, you should be able to play along with most harmonica songs.

12. Practice every day. Even if you can only spend 10 minutes a day playing the blues harmonica, make sure to do it.

13. Go to a blues jam. More experienced harmonica players will be happy to give you some tips to take your playing to the next level.