Basic Folk Harmonica Lesson

[kelntony1664]

Dan, I am trying hard to learn to play the harmonica. I started at age 52, I have just turned 54. I can play the major scale, get single notes. You said to learn the basic things to play. Where do you find say the first 7 or 8 things to do. I have 3 books by Jon Gindick, they are very good. I started out as a u-blocker, I am trying to get lip blocking and then work at some tongue blocking. I want like to know the 7 or 8 thing you would learn after getting single notes.

Thanks, Tony

[CrazyBeatlesFanatic]

You do you do the rapid "duts" like in the Dylan song Gospel Plow and Sally Gal?

[landbertoo]

mixed with john krasinski

[hanesmanhimself]

Ha thanks u sound like seth rogan i love it

[biuemusic5]

dude thanks a ton for this video, this is exactly what i needed.

[poach4fun]

ha its like taking a lesson from seth rogen

[wajjaca]

Good work, had a C harmonica laying around the house since i was a kid. My 3 year old daughter started playing it and it got me interested in learning some Springsteen stuff. Videos like these are very helpful.

[zaq147369]

Amazing, Dan. I just bought myself a Hohner Marine band Harmonica. This was a lot of help. I am subscribing.

[corneydoors]

thanks very helpful:) lol 8:45 dRamAtiC LooK! :P

[20swatson]

I have a 42 reed C harmonica, so how does all this work on my harmonica? Sorry if this is a dumb question but yea lol.

[rdhaynie]

3:05 yes please.

[nicksib911]

Very good video, thank you for making it

[PhototaxisAMcCammon]

I am a newbie and this is one of the best tutorial videos I have seen!!! I am a subscriber but just found this one... Perfect!

[Bobbyc551]

Thanks, this was very helpful. I can play blues half way decently but could never quite get the the Dylan/Guthrie/Young, and on some songs, Lennon style down. This will be fun.

[impaled1138]

I've done covers of several acoustic Bruce Springsteen songs on the guitar. I've always wanted to add the harmonica part to make it perfect. Thanks for the video! It really helped me pick up the harmonica easily.

[ShinsKrasins]

many thanks! been reading the jon gindick book and it's much easier when you've got the visual for help and sound.

[Moc870]

i love neil young style of play, unknown legend has a great solo

[slappy911]

dude if u dont use your neck rack can i have it?

[anticompfolkilation]

Thanks a ton! I'll definitely use these tips in an upcoming show. I can barely play, but that's all right, it's an anti-folk / folk punk thing I'm doin' with a friend and just an open mic. The stuff we just recorded I just blew all over the thing. This'll definitely help :)

[12gagedan]

@anticompfolkilation Before deciding to play harmonica poorly in public, please consider the damage that you're doing. The world already has a low perception of the instrument, thanks to countless hacks "blowing all over everything". I make these vids specifically to encourage "better" harmonica playing.

[anticompfolkilation]

@12gagedan I understand that. Im not sure if you're familiar with anti-folk. The whole thing is a mockery of modern music, yet takes a lot of creativity to it. The idea is to not only shock the listener but also to have a humorous element to it. That's not to say that blowing all over a harmonica is funny, that's more within the lyrics. Look up the video antifolk cutz, it's a documentary. Also look at guys like Daniel Johnston, (early) Devendra Banhart, or jeff lewis. You might change your mind.

[12gagedan]

@anticompfolkilation I will check it out. Thanks for the sincere reply back.

[Kahvelisika]

@12gagedan c'mon is it a crime against humanity to "blow all over everything"? Why does it bother you if someone can't really play? "Please consider the damage that you're doing". ok, you play the right way and let other folks play like they want.

[Kahvelisika]

@12gagedan nice vid anyhow, thanks for the tips. You sure know your stuff.

[TheBlueraventhomas]

Thanks. That was very helpful

[matejabegelj]

U are a great guy! =)

[Babanghans]

hey I have one question

could you teach me how to make a single notes blow/draw??

I try to do it so many times, but still not clear enough

anyway, im gonna subscribe :)

[ryanbinaco]

You're really good at this. I mean teaching. I just happened to stumble on here, left the computer for a second, then came back, was seconds away from moving on, then I got hooked. I felt like you weren't a prick, and you easily could have made fun of everyone who is looking to be BOB, and you didn't! I mean that's what I want. I'll check the other videos out.

[ainoha122]

i like!!!

[ainoha122]

I like!!

[ainoha122]

i like!

[ainoha122]

Hi, i like your videos!!

i'm starting to play harmonica and i would like to play bob dylan, mr tambourine man, but there's nothing about how to play this song.

please, can you tell me some instructions??

thank you!!

[therath94]

whats the best style to play with a Hohner 40 hole harmonica?

[12gagedan]

@therath94 I have no idea.

[lsarias]

can you do one for B harp?

[12gagedan]

@lsarias just use the same patterns/tips that I show in this vid over music in the key of B. It's all the same patterns.

[poopsmageee]

Thanks! this is just what i was looking for!

I am a folk song writer who has very recently gone solo and am looking for ways to make it work in a live setting by myself so i picked up a couple harmonicas.

Please expand especially if you can get a guitar going! even just a three chord riff or something, i would even send in some guitar work to just see how it would be done. So simple!

[dougieladd]

You're a good teacher. Thanks!

[ParamedicBK]

Thanks for the help!

[Yoooup6]

haha Thanks dude, you're amazing!

[RagingTampon]

WILL WORK FOR YOU!..................you sounded exactly like seth rogen 3:48

[Emeraldfire1980]

Hey Dan, I've been a follower of your's for about a year now and I've seen most all of your other videos, but I just stubled across this one, and it makes sense. I learned Heart of Gold first on harp, then on the guitar, and looking back, I realize how simple and easy it really was. And yes, I completley add to the fact that most folky, non-blues harp is messy and in the middle. All-in-all, thanks man.

[TehReaper270]

think you could possibly do some Ozark mountain dare devils harmonica stuff, like if you want to get to heaven or black sky?

[DominicCronin]

...but ... listening to some of the stuff that Dylan actually plays, mostly, it isn't beginner stuff. Start with his first album. I know people stereotype Dylan as being simple, but even in his young days, he was as good a harp player as they come.

[12gagedan]

@DominicCronin send me an example. I've only ever heard rudimentary playing, with awful tone.

[DominicCronin]

@12gagedan Anything off his first album, for example.

[12gagedan]

@DominicCronin We're arguing opinion. Such discussions are usually a waste of time. If you like it, then it's "good" to you. You're entitled to your opinion. You're entitled to enjoy Dylan's harmonica playing. From my lifetime of study, I think his playing is rudimentary at best.

[12gagedan]

I'm listening to clips from the first album right now, and he does exactly what I talk about in my lesson. He uses the chords that are built in, and stays in the middle of the harp for the major scale. Just because he breathes in and out quickly does NOT make him a good harmonica player by my standards, or by generally recognized standards of musicianship. His rhythm is good. He resolves , but it's otherwise just sloppy huffing and puffing.

[12gagedan]

I put this video out, not to comment on Dylan's style, but to unlock its simplicity to his fans. If you like it, and want to play it, go nuts. Enjoy yourself. If you practice for a month or two, you'll be a "good" harmonica player too.

[JohnnyBazooka]

Thank you! I'm playing guitar for 20 years now (mostly Bob Dylan songs) and I want to learn harp. Especially folk harp (like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen). But for years I found nothing how to learn it. Now I got the idea and I'll give it another try.

[ofuckyoucunt]

hey man

bought my harmonica a week or two ago, and just feel in love with it =P

been listening to lots of bob dylan, hendrix etc which has influenced me

ive listened to piano man a few times and picked up how to play that

but now im not really sure where to go

and help in directing me?

cheers

[mohaqmedo]

You're GREAT!!!

[kadesh138]

nice

[infamystar]

you're instructional videos are the best. period.

[StanIStheShit]

Awesome! Thank you.

[anagaaw]

Dan am I too old to learn Harmonica at 55? Regards Anagaaw England

[amypinklover]

You're never too old to learn anything ;) Never give up!

[wishwizard100]

thanks a lot Dan. i'm a guitar player that has always had a harp kickin around, not really knowing the 1st thing about it. now i do-you just opened a huge new world up for me, thanks again

[VVista]

very awesome teacher ! (greats from belgium; Europe))

[pedledge]

You are awesome

[toomyg155]

Thanks for lesson Mr. 12gagedan *****

[ranchosdancingbull]

Nice T-Shirt.  Looks just like mine!!!! Can't wait.

[awakenednt]

Could you please do a video on how to do vibrato on the Harmonica? I looked at Adam Gussow's video and it did not help. Is there another way to understand or do it?

[ranchosdancingbull]

Yes, continue to follow Gussow's lessons. Lead up to it. you may not be ready. I'm not.

[jebas1322]

hi is there a harmonica tab website like ultimate guitar ?

[TengoAkira]

Very nice beginner lesson. Nice fundamental scale, just running up and down makes you sound cleaner, and improvising folk style is so easy. Thanks )

[belleray2]

Entertaining Dan. Thanks

[Pilot509]

Thanks Dan, Keep up the great work

[ostringer9]

thanks dan , nice change from the blues.

[hillspring13]

Hi Dan. Freeze-frames at 10:26 and 10:32 are great :-)

[vikic94]

You are awesome!

[Goofas88]

Yeah, if U don't need that holder maby you can send it to me :) I would use it a lot :)

[boufgreg]

Dan. Great lesson. I just sent a video response to your video for a 1st position Folk/Jug band song. I learned this song 35 years ago when I was in my Folk Harmonica phase. I still play my 1st position folk songs and since they are in the middle or higher range of notes on the harp they are a good exercise for hitting those high notes when playing 2nd position.

[denman1953]

Dan, thanks for posting this for us "neck rack" guys! LOL. You taught me to play over a yr. ago on here and I do appreciate it! I'm coming along pretty well and love playing harp w/ guitar, and attempting vocals. I posted my first vid here Oct. 9, just search denman1953 and "you can't always get what you want", my acoustic version.

Thanks again for all your time & effort, Dan!

Take care,

Denny

[Peppermeister101]

hey dan great vid thanks for putting up about folk harmonica buy can i ask i have a parrot chromatic harmonica in C. i'm looking at possibly doing a bit of folk harmonica to fit with the dylan songs i've learnt should i get a hohner diatonic in C? thanks

[denman1953]

Peppermeister, I've found that most of Dylan's stuff is C, Neil young does a lot in A

[Peppermeister101]

I was wondering just comparitively whether i should go for a hohner instead of the parrot one if dan knows or anyone else?

[denman1953]

I'm not familiar w/ Parrot, I use Hohner Special 20's exclusively and love them, Dan taught me how to play over a yr. ago and he thinks very highly of them too, easy to bend and great buy for 30 bucks.

[12gagedan]

I've never heard of a Parrot harp. Special 20 or Big River Harps won't let you down.

[Kenneth1944]

Got my Lee Oskar Diatonic in A, C, D, F and G. Need to get a few more, but when I moved to Philippines, I can't get the Lee Oskar without a huge shipping fee.

Went to the music store here and they have 'Susuki' harmonicas for about what a Lee Oskar would cost. Guess I'll start getting a Suzuki collection.

[gayhax]

@Kenneth1944 Suzuki is all i play, i recommend the promaster very highly. I have problems with lee oskar in that, though they last forever and bend very well. they have a very harsh sound in my opinion. Suzuki, though it may lack a little of the "grit" of hohner and oskar is very sweet and very very clean

[TheHyde55]

I've been thinking about taking up harmonica. Now that I've subscribed, I've learned all kinds of things that I never knew about harmonicas, ike the whole "blow-draw" technique. Thanks for all of the info.