Peter Gelling - Harmonica Lessons for Beginners: Teach Yourself How to Play Harmonica

Progressive Beginner Harmonica assumes you have no prior knowledge of music or playing the harmonica. It will provide you with an interesting and informative introduction to harmonica playing and teach you many songs and solos in various styles along the way.

All the essential sounds and techniques of harmonica playing are presented in the book along with the basics of music as they apply to the harmonica. Each new rhythm, musical concept or technique is introduced with a simple explanation and several musical examples demonstrating each new sound or technique. Topics such as bending notes, train imitation sounds and cross harp Blues playing are discussed in detail.

After completing this book you will have a solid understanding of the harmonica and will be ready for further study on specific styles of harmonica playing. The lessons are graded so that your knowledge and technique will develop simultaneously. All harmonica players should know all of the information contained in this book.

The best and fastest way to learn is to use this book in conjunction with:

• Buying sheet music and song books of your favorite recording artists and learning to play their songs.
• Practicing and playing with other musicians. You will be surprised how good a basic harmonica/guitar or harmonica/piano combination can sound even when playing easy music.
• Learning by listening to your favorite recordings.

Also in the early stages it is helpful to have the guidance of an experienced teacher. This will also help you keep to a schedule and obtain weekly goals.

Which Harmonica to Use

This book is designed to be used with the diatonic ten hole harmonica, which is the most common type of harmonica. It is also the best type for bending notes and several other techniques essential for harmonica playing.

There are many different brands of diatonic harmonica available. Some of my personal favorites are the Hohner marine band or special 20 models, and the Lee Oskar by Tombo. A common variation in types of ten hole harmonica is that the body of the instrument may be made of either wood or plastic. Although some players prefer the wooden body, the plastic version is more practical because it can be washed without any swelling of the body. When the wood swells, the edges of each block can become rough and can cut your mouth. With plastic, this does not happen.

How to Hold the Harmonica

The best way to hold the harmonica is shown in the following photos, using the left hand, with the low numbered end of the harmonica held gently between your thumb and forefinger.

The numbers on the harmonica should be facing upward. This hand position will prepare you to use the sound effect known as the hand vibrato or wah wah, which is introduced in Lesson 4. It can be used by right or left-handed players alike. Keep the four fingers of the left hand straight, and pressed gently but closely together, with no visible gaps between them.

LESSON ONE

Making Musical Sounds

The harmonica is capable of producing both notes and chords. A note is the sound produced by inhaling or exhaling on any one hole of the harmonica. A