I want to learn to play the Harmonica

[StevenYoo]

I'd like to learn to play the harmonica so I can be more polyphonic while playing other instruments like my guitar and ukulele.

There are several kinds of harmonicas, where does one start?

 

[olds]

First, get a harmonica

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

No personal advice, but there might be a good guide to get started with: http://www.google.com/search?h...ica&btnG=Google+Search

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
First, get a harmonica

whoa whoa whoa.

let's take a step back here and slow down.

say what?

 

[olds]

Baby step, pal. Baby steps.

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
First, get a harmonica

Step two, throw away said harmonica and learn a useful instrument that doesn't make people want to punch you in the face.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i learned to play a ltitle, but got stuck at bending, then stopped

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
First, get a harmonica

Second, get really depressed so you can have the blues.

 

[edro]

Anyone else play one?

 

[Nik]

My jam partner focuses on harmonica. Find one in the key of C to start. Run if you need to, but playing the harp will work your diaphragm so don't be discouraged if at first you have to take short breaks a lot. The more you play, the less you'll need breaks and the easier it will be to breathe while playing.

Most importantly, while you practice, find somewhere nobody can hear you. For your own personal safety.

 

[Fritzo]

I taught myself to play some time ago. I started with one in G (because it's a good blues key), but C is a good place to start if you're not familiar with music because there are no sharps...the scale is literally C D E F G A B C.

The inhale/exhale thing takes the most practice, but the secret is don't be a pussy...if you want a note to sound BLOW THAT THING!

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Yeah the thing about playing the harp is that in order to be able to play along with a variety of songs, you're going to need harps in a variety of keys. After that, for straight blues songs, you just gotta know which harp keys go with which blues keys, depending on whether youre playing straight harp or cross harp. From my experience, cross harp is a bit easier, but less melodic, and there are a few notes which simply don't fit. Straight harp is more difficult because you really need to know more about which scales you're playing.

 

[BoomerD]

This guy could teach you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpbfHUszTCI