How to Get Started on the Diatonic Harmonica

The diatonic, 10-hole harmonica, despite its unassuming appearance, can be used for music ranging from simple folk tunes to modern jazz. Here are a few tips to get you started on this amazing instrument.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Harmonicas

Basic Technique

1. Breathe into the harmonica gently but firmly; do not blow or suck.

2. Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm, not from your lungs.

3. Make your breathing controlled and natural.

4. Keep your lips moist to facilitate sliding.

5. Relax your mouth.

6. Pucker your lips as if you are giving your mom a kiss on her cheek.

7. In this position, slide your lips over the top and bottom plates of the harmonica.

8. Tilt the harmonica about 45 degrees upwards, so that the comb rests comfortably on your lower lip. This will give you a fuller tone.

9. Blow, then draw on hole 3. Play a single note on one hole - not including notes on either side of the hole.

10. Play that note without a hiss.

11. Practice getting a clear, single note out of your harp on each of the ten holes of your harmonica.

Your First Song

1. After you have mastered single-note playing, practice your skills on a song you probably know, no matter what key your harmonica is in. Here it is (numbers correspond to numbered holes on the harmonica; 4 = blow, 4d = draw):

2. 4 4d 5 6 6d 6 5 4 4d 5 4d 4 4d

3. Well I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee

4. 4 4d 5 6 6d 6 5 4 4d 5 4 4d 4

5. And I'm going to Louisiana oh my true love for to see

6. 5d 6d 6d 6 6 5 4 4d

7. Oh Susannah, oh don't you cry for me

8. 4 4d 5 6 6d 6 5 4 4d 5 4 4d 4

9. For I'm bound for Louisiana oh my true love for to see.

Tongue and Hand Techniques and Sound Effects

1. See what you can do with your tongue to create rhythm now that you know how to play a melody.

2. Make a single note on the 3-hole blow.

3. Flick your tongue against the comb several times while blowing, as if singing ta-ta-ta.

4. Use your tongue and make rhythms like taaa-ta (long-short) or taa-taa-ta (long-long-short).

5. Experiment creating different rhythms.

6. Use your hands as tools for changing the sound. When the hands are closed around the harmonica, the tone is muted; when opened, the tone gets sharper and louder.

7. Hold the instrument in your left hand and use the right hand for effects.

8. Close both hands around the harmonica.

9. Blow or draw on any hole.

10. Open the left hand; the harmonica goes "waaaah."

11. Open and close your right hand around the harmonica several times.

12. Flutter one hand against the other with a clapping motion; this creates the warbling effect.

13. Try this on holes 4 and 5 to get the train-whistle effect.

14. Use your hands to color the tone. Make your harmonica talk!

Tips & Warnings

• Regardless of what other players might tell you, don't soak your harmonica in beer, water or any other liquid; it usually does more harm than good.