Drewf's
Harmonica 101
Lesson 1
My first harmonica lessons were taken from the piece of paper,
folded up inside a "Hohner Marine Band Harmonica" box.
They would give you a simple lesson, using up and down arrows
and numbers. These arrows and numbers were then matched
up with the words to songs.
I remember "On Top of Old Smoky" and "Oh Susanna"
as being the main selections.As simple as this sounds,
IT WORKED.
I haven't seen one of those pieces of paper in a harmonica box
for years.I know they exist, in one form or another,
as your "Easy Blues Harp", "Easy Country Harp","Easy Folk Harp",
"Punk Harmonica Made Easy" etc...
This is my version of a beginning harmonica lesson.
You will need to purchase a 10 hole Diatonic harmonica.
I recommend something by Hohner. A "Marine Band","Golden Melody",
"Pro Harp" or"Special 20" preferably. These probably cost over $20.00,
which is pretty cheap for a quality instrument. There are
less expensive models too; The "American Ace",
"Old Standby" and "Pocket Pal" will all get you by.
My lesson will be based on a harmonica in the key of C.
The codes used in the songs will work for a 10 hole harmonica
of any key.
-------------------------------cut here------------------------------------------------
Harmonica 101.
Lesson 1
The funny looking diagram below is supposed to represent a 10
hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C. The diatonic
refers to the fact that it plays only the notes in the Major,
or Diatonic, scale that it is tuned to.( Any understanding of
music theory, at this point, is totally unnecessary. So don't
panic.)
You will notice that there are numbers on your harmonica,
These are always to be on top. The numbers correspond to
each hole. Each hole has a blow and draw reed.
In my diagram, you will notice, I have written the
corresponding note for each reed of each hole.
______________________________
| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9|10|
draw | D| G| B| D| F| A| B| D| F| A| in
blow | C| E| G| C| E| G| C| E| G| C| out
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Here is a chart showing the notes for
all 12 diatonic harmonicas)
The first thing I want you to do is try and form your mouth
around hole 1 and blow. Try and only have one note sound.
After you get that to work, inhale on the same hole.
Again trying to only get one note to sound. Do this with
each of the notes several times until you can go up and
down the harmonica, inhaling an exhaling on each hole,
while sounding only one note at a time.
Now lets try and play a major scale. You will see a number
and either a "i" or an "o" above each note. The number will
correspond to the hole you will play. The "i" will stand
for inhale and the "o" will represent blowing out.
4o 4i 5o 5i 6o 6i 7i 7o
C D E F G A B C
Play this forwards and backwards, sounding each note clearly,
until it becomes easy for you
Now you are ready to play a tune. I will use my number and
letter code over the words of a familiar song.
Lets start with "O Susanna" By Stephen Foster.
4o 4i 5o 6o 6o 6i 6o 5o 4o 4i 5o 5o 4i 4o 4i
Well I come from Al-a-bam-a with a ban-jo on my knee.
4o 4i 5o 6o 6o 6i 6o 5o 4o 4i 5o 5o 4i 4i 4o
And I'm going to Lou'-si-an-a my-y true love for to see.
5i 5i 6i 6i 6i 6o 6o 5o 4o 4i
O Su-san-na, O Don't you cry for me,
4o 4i 5o 6o 6o 6i 6o 5o 4o 4i 5o 5o 4i 4i 4o
For I've come from Al- a- bam- a with this Ban- jo on my knee.
Now let's try"Amazing Grace"
6o 6i 7o 8o 7o 8o 8i 7o 6i 6o
A- a- maz-i- ng grace how sweet the sound
6o 6i 7o 8o 7o 8o 8i 8o 9o
Tha-at saved a- a wretch li-ike me.
8o 9o 9o 8o 7o 8o 8i 7o 6i 6o
I- I once wa-as lost but now I'm found
6o 6i 7o 8o 7o 8o 8i 7o
Wa-as blind bu-ut now I see.
----------cut here, fold it up and put it in your harmonica box------------------------------
Isn't this easy?
Click here for more songs.
Click here for Lesson 2
A Harmonica Christmas.
For any musicians out there.
If you want a challenge, go to this blank
chart,print it out, and see if you can fill in the notes for each
harmonica. Check your work against this completed chart.
The Hohner Web Site
