Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Purchase a diatonic harmonica in the key of C. Harmonicas come in different varieties and keys, but this type of harmonica is the easiest type on which to learn the basics.
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Step 2
Hold the harmonica in your nondominant hand with the numbers on the top, progressing from one on the left to 10 on the far right. You can use your other hand to wrap around the backside of the harmonica if you want to dampen the sound. Opening and closing the dominant hand on the back of the instrument also provides a "wah-wah" effect.
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Step 3
Open your mouth and place it firmly onto the body of the harmonica, creating a seal with your lips. Relax and drop your jaw a little so that your mouth forms a nice, open sound chamber for the music.
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Step 1
Practice lip blocking. Open your lips about the size of a pencil eraser and direct air into one hole of the instrument. Blow in (draw in air), then blow out for the two different notes for a particular hole.
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Step 2
Practice tongue blocking. In this technique, you open your pucker wider than you did with lip blocking so that you could blow air into two or three holes at once. Instead of blowing air into all two or three holes, cover the extra holes so that your breath is directed into only one hole. Practice inhaling and exhaling.
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Step 3
Learn the notes. For hole 1, exhale (blow) to play C, inhale (draw) to play D. For hole 2, blow for E, draw for G. On hole 3, blow for G, draw for B. On hole 4, blow for C, draw for D. For hole 5, blow for E, draw for F. On hole 6, blow for G, draw for A. For hole 7, blow for C, draw for B. For hole 8, blow for E, draw for D. On hole 9, blow for G, draw for F. For hole 10, blow for C, draw for A.
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Step 4
Practice playing a chord by blowing with your lips in first position; that is, your lips should be over holes 4, 5 and 6. This is the C chord. Play the G chord by drawing with your lips in second position; that is, your lips should be covering holes 2, 3, and 4.
