Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Help learning to play the Harmonica

Posted on 1/15/21 at 8:23 am
Posted by labguy
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2020
245 posts
Posted on 1/15/21 at 8:23 am
I recently purchased a 10 hole chromatic harmonica and looking for advice on learning how to play. I've tried looking on youtube for videos but there are so many different kinds of harmonicas and I haven't had much luck on where to start. Thanks.
Posted by MondayMorningMarch
Pumping Sunshine. She's cute!
Member since Dec 2006
16836 posts
Posted on 1/15/21 at 12:35 pm to
What key is your harp in?

Figure out how to draw on the 2-hole. That is your root note for 2nd position, the most common position you hear. Once you can do that try dropping your jaw in order to bend that note in order to get the 7th of the root.

Another thing to try is the 5-6 hole trill...draw on both holes so you hear the sound you'll be making. Next, try to isolate the holes as you move either your head or the harp between the two notes.

Adam Gussow has lots of great vids on his YT channel. Look him up.

Get an A and a C harp and listen and learn every Little Walter song you can find on YT. That'll keep you busy for several years.
Posted by EA6B
TX
Member since Dec 2012
14754 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 12:09 am to
Put away the chromatic harmonica for now, and get a Blues Harp, or Marine Band Harmonica, then start with Adam Gussow's lesson #1 on YouTube and work from there, as the other poster suggested.
Posted by mingoswamp
St. Louis
Member since Aug 2017
968 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 6:34 am to
They're not great harmonicas by any mean, but if you want to save a little money, the $5 harmonicas at Cracker Barrel are actually not bad for a beginner. I've given these to kids to get them started.
This post was edited on 1/16/21 at 6:35 am
Posted by labguy
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2020
245 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 8:32 am to
My harp is in the key of C. Thanks for the advice.
Posted by MondayMorningMarch
Pumping Sunshine. She's cute!
Member since Dec 2006
16836 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 1:12 pm to
I just noticed you got a chromatic harp. Get yourself a diatonic harp instead to learn the basics on.
Posted by labguy
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2020
245 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 2:14 pm to
I took your advice and just ordered a Marine Band.
Posted by MondayMorningMarch
Pumping Sunshine. She's cute!
Member since Dec 2006
16836 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:00 pm to
Atta boy! Hopefully you got it in A. That will allow you to play 2nd position/cross harp when the band is in E...no shortage of songs to learn from there.
Posted by labguy
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2020
245 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 5:18 pm to
No actually I got it in C. I thought that was the best to learn on.
Posted by SUB
Member since Jan 2001
Member since Jan 2009
20739 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 5:38 pm to
Interesting thread. I’ve always wanted to play harmonica. Tried getting into it a decade ago and got confused by all the different types of harmonicas in different keys.
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
27760 posts
Posted on 1/16/21 at 8:27 pm to
C is good, if the guitar or other instruments are playing in the key of G (in standard tuning). So it's good for playing some country and southern rock stuff. You do need to get an A harp though for playing more bluesy stuff. If you have C and A, those will get you a good start, but as you start learning, you will have to get several different keys. The Harmonica usually needs to be in the 4th, for whatever key the guitar is playing in. That's the most popular method.

It's not a cheap instrument to become proficient at, but it is inexpensive to start out.
This post was edited on 1/16/21 at 9:37 pm
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
27760 posts
Posted on 1/17/21 at 3:49 am to
I just thought of this, but it might be a good way to learn and get some practice: Go to one of the guitar sites like guitarchords.com or any of those sites that let you transpose songs into different keys. Pick out songs that you want to play, put them in the key of G and play along.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram