How to Play the Harmonica With Free Lessons
The harmonica is a reed instrument played by placing the instrument to your mouth and drawing (inhaling) or blowing (exhaling). The harmonica is a relatively easy instrument to learn. Several Web sites offer free tips from harmonica players and Harmonica Tab, or tablature, which is a simple form of music notation used by harmonica players.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Instructions
-
1
Identify the notes on your harmonica. To do this, you need to know your harmonica's key. All harmonicas have two reeds, and the key of the instrument is stamped on the metal body encasing the reeds. There are two rows of notes on a harmonica. For example, a 10-hole harmonic (20 counting the top and bottom rows) in C plays the notes C-E-G-C-E-G-C-E-G-C on the top ten holes and D-G-B-D-F-A-B-D-F-A on the bottom ten holes. Place the harmonica against your lips and blow to play the notes on the top row; draw to play the notes on the bottom row.
-
2
Learn to read harmonica tablature. Many harmonica players use a simple tablature system (TAB) to read harmonica music. Simple harmonica tablature consists of numbers indicating which hole to play and a "+" to indicate blow or a "-" to indicate draw. Some tabs simply use a number followed by B or D to indicate blowing or drawing. The most complex tablature has a horizontal line with numbers above it for blow notes and numbers below it for draw notes.
-
-
3
Practice bending notes on your harmonica when you feel comfortable playing through two or three songs. Note bending is a technique that helps you change the pitch of the note, finding sharps and flats on your harmonica. Note bending is one of the most commonly used techniques in harmonica playing and can add color to your music. Hold your harmonica to your lips and blow into the ninth hole of your harmonica. Fold your tongue to create more room for air, and tilt your harmonica forward slightly while you blow the note. With practice, you will be able to bend the note up a half step. Bend notes down the same way on the draw holes. There are specific locations on different harmonicas where notes can be bent.
-
4
Practice as much as you can. With these basic techniques, you can begin playing harmonica music right away. The more you play, the better your skills will be.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit harmonica image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
