Instructions on How to Play a Harmonica

Harmonica skills are easy to pick up

The harmonica--also referred to as a "harp"--is a great instrument to accompany a guitar, banjo or just be played solo. The roots of the harmonica--and the genre within which its played most--is blues music. Blues gave birth to folk music, which also uses harmonica. The harmonica is a handheld woodwind instrument that is easy to pick up for musicians young and old. Harmonicas come in different styles and keys; what harmonica you use depends on the song you wish to play.

Things You'll Need

• Harmonica

Instructions

1. Stand tall. Moisten your lips. Hold the harmonica with two hands, one on each side. Make sure you are holding the harmonica with the numbers denoting the holes facing up. Breathe in deeply. Lightly purse your lips and place the harmonica between between them at a slight angle upward. Keep your lips relaxed.

2. Breathe out through the holes in the harmonica. This is called a "blow chord." Breathe in through the holes in the harmonica to make a "draw chord." Keep your neck and shoulders free from stress as you play. Roll your shoulders and stretch if you feel yourself tensing up. Slide your lips along the harmonica, making different chords and recognizing what they sound like as blow chords and draw chords. If your lips begin to stick as you slide them along the harmonica, lick them to keep playing.

3. "Bend" a note by changing the air pressure as you draw in a note on the harmonica. Without your harmonica, say "WEE-OOOO" as you breathe in and "WEE-OOOO" as you breathe out. On the "OOOO" part, drop your tongue down to the bottom of your mouth quickly. This motion will drastically change the air pressure and give the "bending" to the note. Practice the "WEE-OOOO" exercise on the harmonica. A bent note should sound like a train whistle.

Tips & Warnings

• Always breathe from your stomach.

References

• How to Play the Harmonica
• Harmonica Playing Overview
• Harmonica Note Bending