Introduction on How to Play Harmonica

So you want to learn to play harmonica huh? There are two scales, the first one is the diatonic scale.This is the one to start with if you have no knowledge of muscial theory. You will need to buy a harmonica for each key you will play in, although that is not necessary at the start as you are just beginning!

The chromatic scale on the other hand is a little more diverse and would suit a more experienced musician. You do not need any more than one harmonica for the chromatica scale, this is why they are a little more expensive. If you wish to learn the chromatic way then you will be rewarded, there are many notes missing from the diatonic scale and there are many songs you can't play.

This might upset some people but let me give some reassurance, you can play any song on any harmonica it just might not be in the same key so will not sound exactly the same. Who wants to copy exactly anyway, you own sound and style is what you want isn't it?

Harmonica Tab

That's right! You don't need to learn music theory! Although if you wish to become a serious musician it would be a wise step. The tab is deciphered by numbers, over each word or syllable on the page of lyrics is a number. If it is a 3 you blow into hole 3. If there is a -3 then you draw into hole 3. If followed by a < then you push the lever on the side to make a sharp note.

There are different types of tab, some use up and down arrows, up being to blow and down being to draw, but really it is all the same stuff. Once you get it, it is a piece of cake.

Try out this tab:-

4 4 5 -4 God is so good,

-4 -4 -5 5 God is so good,

5 5 6 -5 God is so good,

-4 -5 5 -4 4 He's so good to me.

Go slow at the start, acquire a copy of this song and listen to it to get the rhythm.

Practice

There is no point trying to get good at your instrument if you are going to play it for an hour on sunday and that is all. If you want to become a decent musician you need to practice every day. If you practice for 10 mins a day it is better than only playing a couple of times a week. When learning a new skill your subconcious mind needs to adopt the skill before you will become good. The only way of teaching the subconcious mind is through repitition of practice. Then you will become good.

Till next time Practice hard and have fun

Jay Palmer

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