Learning the Harmonica
Many people have bought or have been given a harmonica at some stage. Most of these instruments are lying in cupboards or drawers, unused. The main problem is learning to play some decent music! A small piece of paper comes in the harmonica box, but helps little. Good teachers are hard to find. And sometimes, harmonica knowledge is just not shared.

This is a shame, as the harmonica is a wonderful instrument, suitable for learners of all ages. The harmonica fits easily into a pocket, and is always at hand, ready to make good music. This makes practice easier than with other instruments, which often need , private space, music stands, and dedicated time (hard to find for most of us). Harmonica practice can be done almost anywhere, whenever there is a spare moment.

The harmonica fits in with most popular music. Blues, rock, folk, country, bluegrass, celtic, and even jazz fit with harmonica. Chances are that whatever music you like, the harmonica is suited to it.

(1)Is it easy to learn?
Well... yes and no. It¡¯s easy to get it to make a noise; harder to get it to make real music in your ears. But anything worth doing requires effort, and the harmonica is no different. As you will find out through the lessons, the harmonica can be challenging. Don¡¯t let this discourage you. Even for beginners, harmonica practice is great fun. Also, the lessons are designed so that you will be playing music from the very start.

These lessons also teach you how to play with other musicians. This is one of the great joys of life, which you may soon experience.

(2)Is any previous musical background needed?
No. We start from the very beginning. If you have been wanting to know how music works, this a good place to be.

(3)Which harmonica should I buy?
There are many harmonica types available. We will be using the "diatonic" harmonica, which has 10 holes. Your first harmonica should be in the key of C. Your music shop will explain what "keys" mean, if you do not already know. Avoid very cheap harmonicas, as they are harder to play. A good music store should have a range of 10 hole harmonicas. Buy a more expensive one if you can, it will be easier to play (and you should still have change from $30US). Beginners may find that harmonicas with plastic combs (i.e. the middle part) are easier to play than harmonicas with wooden combs.

From
[www.HarmonicaAcademy.com]
[www.HarmonicaTunes.com]



Post Edited (2008-08-24 20:45:18)

very nice, i just started a few weeks ago and THAT is what i needed to hear at the start. although an F harp is also a good starting harmonica, mainly because it's so much easier to learn to bend on. and also yea, out of all the insturments ive learned (Baritone, Guitar, etc.) harmonica is by far the easiest (in the beginning).

So, what's wrong with starting out on a chromatic? One might offer up the possibility that it's easier to play than a diatonic. And other than diatonic style vamping what kind of music can't it play. And anyway, I need more listeners.