How to Play a Simple Tune on a Harmonica
Playing the harmonica is natural and fairly easy because it requires breathing in and out. When playing the harmonica, the inhale is called a "draw" and the exhale is called a "blow". The following directions will help you get started learning simple tunes on a 10-hole diatonic harmonica.
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Instructions
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Hold the harmonica comfortably in both hands. The numbers on the harmonica should be on top. Hold the harmonica between your thumb and index finger of each hand. This grasp leaves your middle, ring and pinky fingers free to make the vibrato sound if desired.
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Practice playing one note at a time. There are two methods for playing one note only---the "pucker" method and the "tongue blocking" method. To achieve the pucker method, push your lips out as if you are imitating a fish. With your lips in this position, try blowing one hole at a time. Adjust your pucker if necessary. To play the harmonica with tongue blocking, place your tongue over the holes you do not want to sound. In general, the pucker method is easier than tongue blocking.
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Practice breathing in and out with the harmonica. Both draws and blows are necessary for playing songs on the harmonica.
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Learn how to read harmonica tablature, which can be found for free on the Internet. Typically, harmonica tablature will show you the number (found on the top of your harmonica) of the hole you are to play and a "B" for blow and a "D" for draw. Try to play the first line of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" shown here:
5B 4D 4B 4D 5B 5B 5B
Ma-ry had a lit- tle lamb. -
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Practice playing the harmonica with beginning songs, such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb". Practice the pucker technique and blowing and drawing. When you can play one note at a time, you can play simple tunes on the harmonica.
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Tips & Warnings
Playing any musical instrument, including the harmonica, takes practice.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit harmonica image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
