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Harmonica Purchases Playing Technique

Theory and Jamming Questions Advanced/Miscellaneous Repairs and Maintenance

Here is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) that will help if you're just getting started. Take a look at the various categories list above - you are likely to find your question(s) answered within those topics.

Can anyone, even without a musical background, learn to play harmonica?

Yes.

Do I need to be able to read music to play harmonica?

No. We use a system for notating harmonica music called the "Text Tab System." Tabs are a simplified way to notate harmonica solos, harmonica parts, melodies and songs, without having to formally read music. In this system, 4B means blow (exhale) through hole 4 and 5D means to draw (inhale) through hole 5.

What is the difference between a chromatic and diatonic harmonica?

They are really two different instruments. See Chapter 2 for an in-depth look at the two.

Most good players specialize in one or the other. It is less common to find players that excel on both, but they are out there.

Is it OK to hold the harmonica by the ends when just starting out?

Yes. It makes good sense to only work on or concentrate on one thing at a time. If you're memorizing a song or practicing single notes, you don't need to worry about what your hands are doing. Keep it simple, have fun, focus on one point at a time, and you'll progress more quickly.

Starting Out

FAQs ₇

FAQs

If certain holes don't play correctly, like my hole 2 draw (or not at all,) how do I know if it is me or the harmonica?

99% of the time it is the player. Beginning (and sometimes intermediate players) have a tough time getting a good sound out of the 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 draw holes. This is normally caused by incorrect breathing habits (i.e. sucking the air in from your lips and into your mouth instead of breathing in through the harmonica and continuing that breath through your mouth down to your diaphragm.) From time to time, you will get a bad harmonica out of the box, but is not as likely with the better brands and models. See Chapter 3, Breathing section for more informa-tion.

Are there any shortcuts to getting good quickly with the different playing techniques?

Yes and no. Yes, by not getting into bad habits early on that you may have to break later, you will save time in the long run. And no, it's not merely a matter of how much you know and how much you practice. It takes time for new ideas and abilities to really sink in. It is said that to truly master any art form, it takes a minimum of 5-10 years. This doesn't mean that you can't get very good in a shorter amount of time, it just means you will lack the experience that makes the masters really the masters. The longer you play, the more this makes sense.

Is it normal for my mouth and hands to get tired after playing for a while?

People starting out may find that if they practice or play for more than 10 minutes, their lips and possibly their hands get tired and begin to fatigue. This is normal. The best thing to do is to practice for 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a day and build up the associated muscles and your endurance (it won't take too long). Remember, even 5 or 10 minutes a day is better than no minutes.

How much should I practice?

The simple answer is... as much as possible. The problem is that a lot of us don't have unlim-ited time in our day to practice as much as we would like. If you want to keep improving you need to practice and play whenever possible. 15 to 30 minutes a day is a good amount of time if you can stick with it.

There are a number of professional musicians that practice an hour or two a day, everyday, and have done so for many years or decades. Do what you can, it will pay off over time. As mentioned above, beginners may find it easier to practice for 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a day and build up endurance (it won't take too long). Remember, even 5 or 10 minutes a day is better than no minutes.

What is the difference between practicing and playing?

Thinking vs. doing. When you practice, take your time and think about what you're doing so you can build up the correct patterns and muscle memory. When you "play" or perform, you shouldn't be thinking at all. Let the muscle memory you've built up "do it's thing" and just let

it happen. There is an old Zen saying that gets right to the point for all performance situa-tions, "Don't think, do."

I've heard some players soak their harmonicas before they play. Should I do this?

No. Soaking ruins wood harmonicas and does nothing for plastic or metal ones. This practice was done decades ago when all that was available was wood-combed harmonicas. The soaking caused the wood to swell up and make the harmonica more airtight and easier to play. These soaked harmonicas didn't last the players very long (and still don't).

How do I know if I'm a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player?

Ultimately, it doesn't matter as long as you are having fun playing. With that said, it can help when learning to know roughly where you stand so that you can choose the appropriate tech-niques, songs, and information for your skill and knowledge level.

Beginning Level: Anywhere from never having touched a harmonica before, to having put in the equivalent of a few months of practice on basic techniques, songs, and improv.

Intermediate Level: You've been playing regularly for 3-6 months or longer. You should be comfortable (but not necessarily perfect) with the four basic techniques:

single notes, hand effects, bending, breathing, and have at least a few songs and riffs memorized. If you haven't already done so, this is the time to start playing with others.

Advanced Level: You've been playing for a few years or longer. You are familiar with most everything harmonica players do, but you still need work in some areas to have the confidence to call yourself a "pro".

How do I use other key diatonic harmonicas after I learn to play the key of "C"

harmonica?

The different keyed diatonic harmonicas are all designed to play the same. A key of "G"

diatonic will play the same as a key of "C" harmonica (only lower). The correct sharps or flats are added to the different keys to make them play the same. Therefore, your songs and riffs that you learned on the "C", will start and end on the same holes on the other eleven keys of diatonic harmonicas. You don't have to do anything other than to know you are now playing in a different key. If you are playing with other musicians, be sure to let them know what key you are in.

Why is it that holes 2 Draw and 3 Blow on my "C" diatonic are the same note, "G"?

Wouldn't it make more sense to have an "F" note in hole 2 Draw, so you wouldn't need to bend to play a complete "Major Scale" on the first four holes?

First of all, if you never needed to bend a note on a diatonic harmonica, it would basically be a chromatic harmonica (without use of the button). The bent notes and bending sound is what gives the diatonic its character.

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FAQs

The duplicate notes on the hole 2 Draw and the hole 3 Blow allow the player to play both a "C"

chord on the blow and a "G" chord on the draw (on a standard key of "C" diatonic). Both of these chords must contain a "G" note to be correct. This goes back to the original design and layout of the diatonic harmonica (called the Richter Tuning), which enables you to play the two most important chords for simple songs of that era (the "C" and "G" chords for the key of "C").

This design ultimately led to the unintentional, yet very fortunate discovery of 2nd Position (or

"Cross Harp") blues style, that is now the norm.

I'm very eager to learn to play the harmonica, but sometimes I get confused when reading instructions or looking at notes. Are there any tips that you could give me?

Take your time, and read over the information as many times as it takes for you to under-stand it. Going over material three or four times is not considered unreasonable when trying to learn a brand new skill.

Why should I buy a more expensive harmonica if I'm just starting out?

Without store discounts, the best quality, most expensive diatonic harmonicas are around

$20-$60. That is pretty cheap for a good quality instrument. Learning the harmonica, or any-thing else for that matter from scratch, can be very difficult and frustrating at times. Cheap harmonicas tend to be poorly constructed and therefore leak a lot of air. This means they are hard to play (for anyone, at any level). Pay the extra $10 or $20 and get a harmonica you can count on to play great right out of the box.

Are wood harmonicas better than the plastic ones?

No. Quality wise, it tends to be just the opposite. Most of the wood harmonicas leak too much air and are not recommended for beginners. In terms of the sound or tone, the choice between wood and plastic (or metal) combs comes down to personal preference. Any reasonable quality harmonica in the hands of a good player will sound good.

*Footnote- there are specialists out there that make or modify wood combs to play better and they are quite nice, although many times not inexpensive.

Hohner makes a harmonica called a "Blues Harp". Is this better for playing blues than a standard diatonic harmonica like the Lee Oskar or Special 20?

No. The "Blues Harp" is just a name for a wood combed diatonic that is made by the Hohner Company. It is no better for playing blues than any other harmonica that has "Blues" in it's name.

Are there many different types of harmonicas?

Yes, quite a few, but none are used as much as the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. Some of the other types include: bass harmonica, chord harmonica, tremolo and echo effects