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How to Hold a Harmonica
Playing the Train on Harmonica
Single Note Pucker on Harmonica
Playing Shuffles on Harmonica
Notation Harmonica Lesson
Playing the Blues on Harmonica
Bending Notes on Harmonica
Ear Training for Harmonica
Tremolo Harmonica Lesson
Blues Harmonicas
Chromatic Harmonicas
Caring for Your Harmonica
Summary: Play the harmonica like a Blues Brother; learn how to properly hold your harmonica in this free video harmonica lesson.
Thought to be invented in the 1820’s, the harmonica took hold and has not let go since. The harmonica is a unique instrument that has a distinctive sound that can be recognized by most people. This seemingly simple instrument can be entertaining for the beginner yet provide ample challenge to the most skilled players.
This video series will walk you through all you need to know to get your playing on the fast track. From simple care of the instrument to lessons on technique, it’s all here. Discover how to keep your harmonica in good condition. Many people who begin playing do not know how to hold the instrument correctly. These videos will teach the right form. Learn how to do a simple note pucker. This method will help you develop a good foundation and allow you to produce a single note. After learning the basics, launch your skills into advanced talents like playing the blues!
" Hi I’m Jim Luke and we are going to be talking to you today about how to hold the harmonica and how to move the harmonica and why. First thing we are going to talk about of course, holding the harmonica for fun and profit. Now you can learn to play it, play it in any style but you’ll always want to have the best tone you can get out of it. One of the ways to do that is learn to cup it correctly so that you can use it to amplify and give your harmonica the best tone. You see that the tone that you can get by playing the harmonica correctly as far as having a full cave can give you the best tone much better than the next guy. One of the other things that you can do is learn to play with a microphone inside that cave that I’ve created. That is really the secret here is making a cave give you that muffled sound. Now when you play that through an amplifier you get a sound like the Chicago blues guys play. Ken Wilson and The Thunderbirds and guys like that. But you’ve got to have that full cave or you’re just not going to be able to get that tone and that sound. The other reason for holding a harmonica like this is because you want to be as comfortable as possible. If you are going to be on a gig for three or four hours you want to be comfortable while you are playing so you don’t wear out and get sore somewhere. So anyway, the idea is to start making, by making sure your elbows are comfortable and then building up the hold from there. Then the wrists come together and it all comes up to your face. And as the hold comes to your face you try to keep it relaxed and tucked under a little bit. Now once you have that posture you want to be as relaxed as you can. Start playing and remember you move the harmonica and not your head. So there you have it. That’s really the beginning of how to hold the harmonica. Be as relaxed as you can; keep your thumbs close to your face, move the harmonica in front of your face and have fun playing the harmonica."
eHow Article: How to Hold a Harmonica
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Comments
slovens said
on 8/2/2008 Hey, Jim, do you read these? If you do, I was wondering if you could show off for us a bit and play the harmonica solo from the led zeppelin album 'Presence' (song-Nobody's Fault But Mine)? I would really like to SEE it played; see the movements and stuff...
jasper5 said
on 8/2/2008 Oh my goodness ,how good is this? this is great stuff , I can actually do some of this right off the bat .Great instructor . Thank you Jim
weldersflame said
on 8/2/2008 I have had a harmonica for, "I can't remember how long", years. I was always able to play about any toon I could hum but just recently realized how much fun it is and the mechanics of this art. Have just recently purchased a few new harmonicas to see which ones suit me best. So far I am partial to the Horner Golden Melody for a comfortable grip. I have small hands and get a fuller cave due to the shape. I am attempting to learn how to play some blues and have found your site exceptionally helpful, and I have been to many sites. I am forwarding this site to my 11 yearold grandson. I just gave him a littler Horner to learn on and he seemed to be very interested in learning to play. I believe in helping my grandchildren to develope in any creative avenue they take an interest in. I really helps with their self esteem, which I believe children really need in this high tec society today. Back to the lessons. I really appreciate your instructions, they are so easy to follow and understand. I will never be "great" but I really enjoy playing and I find it very relaxing. Thank You so much for sharing your talent and knowledge with us. Mary Jo
blkhwkdwn2216 said
on 11/3/2008 Awsome,great harp player i was just wondering if u could maybe be more detailed on how to hold the harp i got a liddle connfused on that but besides that AWSOME thanks Jim!
hotrocks1 said
on 8/2/2008 Is there a reason for holding the harp in the left hand ?
It seems that all instruct to hold it this way.
It feels better for me to hold it in the right.
Is there any reason why this would be incorrect?
Thanks