How to play the Harmonica: 12 Bar Blues

10 Hole C major diatonic harmonica:
ALL THE HARMONICA VIDEOS ARE COLLECTED HERE: http://www.pazzmanmusic.com/harmonica.php


Check out my original music and photographs http://www.pazzmanmusic.com/


I try to share some wealth of harmonica how to early on a Sunday morning...

(C major diatonic harp, 10 holes, the most common one)


Also, here is the tab tabbed out...

1st Riff: 4x = 3 4 (3) 3
2nd Riff: 2x = 4 4 (3) 4
1st Riff: 2x
3rd Riff: 1x = 3 (3) 4 (4)
2nd Riff: 1x
1st Riff: 2x - (and you can do a turnaround riff during the end of this, like a draw on the 4)

and also, go to my page and check out my original music.

3 4 (3) 3
3 4 (3) 3
3 4 (3) 3
3 4 (3) 3

4 4 (3) 4
4 4 (3) 4

3 4 (3) 3
3 4 (3) 3

3 (3) 4 (4)

4 4 (3) 4

3 4 (3) 3
3 4 (3) 3



Harmonica
Sheet music (optional)

Step 1: Hold the harmonica properly

Get ready to play by holding the harmonica in one hand, grid toward your face, clamped in the crook of your forefinger and thumb.

Step 2: Cup the other hand

Hold it so the numbers are over the holes as you face it, low notes on the left, high ones on the right. Cup the hand holding the harmonica with your other hand, creating a chamber to trap and release volume.

Tip: Slap the harmonica against your leg to knock out saliva.

Step 3: Loosen up

Slacken your shoulders and neck to get ready. Lick the mouthpiece to make sure you can slide it across your lips. Move the harmonica, not your head, when you play.

Step 4: Start playing

Move the harmonica further into your mouth. The sound comes from your breath going in and out at various angles. Use your diaphragm to breathe instead of merely blowing and sucking.

Step 5: Tongue-block

Block holes with your tongue to isolate individual notes.

Step 6: Read the tablature

If you have sheet music, read the tablature that identifies the numbers on the harmonica. When a number is circled, inhale.

Step 7: Open the cupped hand

Open the cupped hand intermittently to change the volume and effect. Slide the harmonica to create trills in the flow. Keep practicing, baby.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• learn
• harmonica
• blues
• to
• play
• notes
• scale
• beginner
• intermediate
• 12
• bar
• pazzmanmusic
• guitar
• harp
• music

[val178500]

In Russian there is not enough training on a harmonic! It very much complicates training...

[pazzmanmusic]

@val178500 In Soviet Russia, Harmonica plays you!

[DukeAntonMusic]

This video really helped me start playing harmonica! Now everyone is amazed when i play simple blues riffs when they're not really complicated at all! THank you PazzmanMusic!

[pazzmanmusic]

@DukeAntonMusic Aaaaahhhmazing!!!  Great!

[dirdybirdy4]

The only tutorial that actually helped me.

omg, thanks.

[pazzmanmusic]

@dirdybirdy4 Hhahha... right? what a novel idea, a 'how to' that actually teaches something!

[res74cue]

"Should I start over? Nah, fuck it!" lol

[IceAges14Aces]

@Mustavalava Playing the harmonica with only one note (which is the proper way to play it) isn't easy and it takes weeks of effort to master it. I got my Hohner Pro Harp MS Black Harmonica last Christmas and I've been practicing ever since.

I'm still not a master at playing 1 note at a time nor bending, but I did profoundly improved at playing 1 note at a time and some bending for blues/jazz....

Good luck and godspeed :D.....

[Mustavalava]

just bought hohner special 20 marine band diatonic key of c harmonica all thanks to you. but if you guys want to learn how to play because I'm a beginner and i litterally bought a harmonica 4 hours ago watch the vids from harmonica notes. its a 30 day vid and even though idk how to blow in one hole yet ive already learned to bend the notes and stuff! tahnks to you 2 pazzmanmusic

[harmonicadave]

Good teaching.... good vids...Harmonicadave

[KuvaPefo]

I'm writing a 12 bar blues song but I read somewhere that there's a problem at the start and near the end there's a solution when you make a song.. not sure where to put it.

[KuvaPefo]

Finally figured out the whole song structure, by looking at the rest of the description.. Now to write a song for it and learn to play it well. :o This gonna take sum time. *shades* GIT R DUN!

[Michelleriggsmusic]

oh my gosh i love you. youre hilarious. and thanks for the help!

[scuba1man69]

This video helped me get motivated to play blues on the harmonica.

It is amazing how much fun you can have with just these riffs

[Oreo493]

All I have is this chucky cheese harmonica! I want to learn this!

[KuvaPefo]

I never really knew how to play this properly.. Now with a bit of time and THIS video, I will. THANX!

[dstrong1337]

This is a crazy ass tut i got a cheap harmonica 4 bucks, and Ive almost mastered this little riff all i need is to learn to bend. Honestly haters gonna hate but the harmonica is a versatile little instrument