How To Play The Harmonica

After searching around on instructables, I didn't find any complete harmonica tutorials. There are quite a few good ones around the internet, but I thought there should be an instructable.

So. The harmonIca is one of the easiest instruments to play, it sounds really cool, and can be used for a variety of musical styles. All right, maybe not too many musical styles, but it's fun to play anyway. So. Here we go.

Step 1: Types of Harmonicas

Diatonic: This is the most common, simplest type of harmonica. You'll probably want to start here. A diatonic harmonica has 10 holes. It is built to play a major, diatonic scale. Additional notes can be played by "bending" (explained later) and different scales can be obtained by playing in different positions (explained later).

Chromatic: These are fancy harmonicas. They have a little button on the side. When you press this button, whatever note you are playing moves up a half step. This allows you to play every note in the musical scale, a chromatic scale. Although they offer more versatility, they are often harder to play, especially if you are trying to bend. Not recommended for blues.

Tremolo and Octave Harmonicas: These harmonicas have a double row of holes. On a tremolo, the notes are tuned slightly apart, but almost the same, creating a cool "tremolo" vibrating effect. On an octave harmonica, the notes are tuned an octave (8 notes) apart, creating a fuller sound. Compare to a 12-string guitar. Both are sort of rarely used.

Special tunings: Some harmonicas come with different scales like minor scales and scales made for playing in more than one key.

Bottom Line: Start with a diatonic harmonica, preferably in the key of C (as this is the easiest key to understand).

Here are some pictures of each type.

Comments

[metalhaid]

This is great! I just wanted to comment that I think the reason the harmonica goes to a C on 7 is because there is no sharp between B & C (at least there isn't on a piano...) thanks for the lessons!

[freeza36]

I just bought a Hohner Diactonic harmonica, and i am already hooked on it. It is so easy and fun to play. Within a day, i could already play a couple tunes.

[nof-z]

when to mijer and saw they had harmonicas for two bucks, an i thought "well, i haven't had one of these in a while" so i got one, and found your instructable, and now i am hooked. you were vary clear and easy. thanks for teaching me!!!

[11richie21]

Hi, I have been planning on buying a harmonica just to begin thanks to your instructable. it has helped me learn how they actually work! I thought people would just play random sounds and master how to play haha seems I was wrong.

[misteravocado5]

Thank you for the feedback, it means a lot. Good luck!

[rimar2000]

Good instructable! I have a little 10 holes harmonica, but I could never learn to play by music, only played a few pieces by ear. Maybe your instructable makes me encourage...

[misteravocado5]

Thank you! Glad to hear that it's encouraging someone.