Hot Harmonica How-Tos

How To: Tune your harmonica to the key of A

Want to play Canned Heat's "On the Road Again" but your harmonica's in the wrong key? No problem: in this elaborate instructional video you'll learn how to tune your harmonica to the key of A by raising the pitch in draw hole 6. And remember: before attempting to adjust the tuning on your favorite harp, it might be wise to practice pitch adjustments on an old, used, broken or cheap harmonica.

How To: Play a B-flat blues on harmonica

Learn how to play B-flat blues beats on harmonica using the 4 hole added variant on the "blue third"

How To: Play a basic harmonica blues scale

Guitar Man demonstrates how to play a basic harmonica blues scale and how to bend a note on a harmonica. Playing a harmonica blues scale is really simple. You can play the blues scale with any G instrument. The blues scale is three blow, three blow, three inhale or suck, four blow, four suck, five suck and six blow. Then repeat the pattern in descending order. Follow the pattern to pick up blues harmonica really quickly. Practice the blues scale pattern and you'll eventually be able to improv...

How To: Play blues and diatonic harmonica

Many people try to play blues harmonica without understanding the blues. This video describes blues music in terms of a modified major scale and then shows how this can be applied to both keyboard and harmonica.

How To: Jam with the harmonica in E

Check out this instructional harmonica video to learn how to jam in E on the harmonica. This tutorial explains how to know what key you are playing in when playing in second position, or cross harp, in the key of E on the A. To play cross harp, you are playing the harmonica in a key other than the key in which the harmonica is labeled.

How To: Lower the pitch in draw hole 3 on the harmonica

Learn how to adjust your harmonica to get a minor tuning in the lower register with this tutorial. This harmonica is in the key of A. Watch this how to video and you will be able to lower the pitch in draw hole 3 on the harmonica.

How To: Customize harmonicas

Five customized harmonicas are demonstrated in this video.

How To: Play the harmonica in the key of G

In this video from pazzmanmusic we learn how to play the harmonica in the key of G. Draw on the 1, blow on the 2 and blow on the 3. Then draw on the 3. A bit of a bend draw. Then walk it down by drawing on the 2 and then drawing on the 1. Then he goes on to play a riff where he blows on the 1 and 4 holes and covers the 2 and 3 with his tongue.

How To: Play "Whammer Jammer" by Magic Dick on harmonica

In a five-part how-to series on the classic blues harmonica instrumental by Magic Dick and the J. Geils Band. Your guide, Adam Gussow, has been wood shedding the tune for 33 years and is happy to share what he's learned, so you to can play this legendary piece.

How To: Play train songs and the fox chase on the harmonica

How to play train songs and the fox chase on the harmonica. (G Harmonica) The best guys for this are Joe filisko, Richard Sleigh, Grant Dermondy, Peter "Mad Cat" Ruth, and Charlie Mcoy Sonny Terry etc. To really hear it done right listen to those guys. Also, all the old pre war harp players that those guys got it from!

How To: Start out on the harmonica

In this video, we learn how to start out on the harmonica with Mike. When you start out learning, you will first need to learn the single notes that you will play on the harmonica. You should use a harmonica that you are comfortable with and that fits your mouth well. After you have learned how to play the single notes, then you can start to play the notes together. This will help you create different songs and different types of sounds when you are playing. Practice the notes a lot to learn ...

How To: Center the reed on your harmonica

In this clip, get some useful tips on how to center reeds on diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. The harmonica is a wonderful, bluesy instrument and in this clip you will get expert advice that will help you keep your instrument in tune at all times. By centering the reed you can ensure a perfect sound every time.

How To: Play the harmonica for fun

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play the harmonica. The harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. Holes 1-3 are the chord holes. To play it, move it side to side. Holes 4-7 are the melody holes. The harmonica has keys of A-G. Do not blow too hard or the reeds in the harmonica can be damaged. Blow the bottom reeds by drawing in. Blow the top reeds by blowing out. To create a vibrato, enclose the harmonica in hands while moving one hand simultaneously. This video will benefit those...

How To: Learn different key harmonicas

More often that not, beginner harmonica players will have to be told the key to use during a jam session. It's perfectly reasonable to ask the key, so long as it's before the song starts that you're asking. But if the answer is obvious, you're better off knowing than asking. You don't want to look silly by asking obvious questions. This video will show you to know the key without asking.

How To: Play a harmonica

Learn to play the harmonica and jam with your friends. Step 1: Hold the harmonica properly

How To: Play in the high register of a harmonica

Wondering how to hit high notes on your harp? In this harmonica tutorial, you'll learn how to play using the upper register. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, beginners are certain to walk away with something. For more, and to get started playing in the high register of your own harmonica, just press play!

How To: Play Sugar Blue's signature riff on the harmonica

In this harmonica lesson, you'll learn how to play Sugar Blue's signature harp riff. While this tutorial is geared toward intermediate and advanced players, even begginers are sure to walk away with something. To get started playing Sugar Blue's signature harmonica riff on your own harp, take a look!

How To: Simulate guitar effects on the harmonica

This how to video shows you the tools you will need to simulate guitar effects on the harmonica. Learn how to get a delay effect, an octave sound and guitar wawa pedal effect with these great tips. Add some spice to your harmonica playing with the tips from this tutorial.

How To: Learn the tongue block and pucker method

In this instructional harmonica video, learn which of two methods to use when playing the harmonica. There is sometimes a debate among harmonica players on which method is better to use: the lip pucker method or the tongue block method. Both methods play their part in helping the beginner become a more well rounded harmonica player. This tutorial teaches you both harmonica methods.

How To: Learn a harmonica tip

Watch this instructional harmonica video to learn a quick tip on how to incorporate the same note (draw 2 and blow 3) into a jam or riff. This tutorial is great for beginners and harmonica enthusiasts.

How To: Play the harp riff from the Green Onions video

Check out this instructional harmonica video to learn how to play that harp riff in the Green Onions video. This tutorial uses the Lee Oskar harmonica in the Natural Minor tuning. But this technique is not very common and instead provides instruction using the Hohner Marine Band DeLuxe. Check out this video and practice some harp riff variations.

How To: Play the Stone Fox Chase on the harmonica

Watch this instructional harmonica video and learn how to play the Stone Fox Chase on the harmonica. It can be played several ways, and this is one way known as "Stone Fox Chase in the tunnel." This tutorial is a great way to practice your harmonica skills.

How To: Sharpen your harmonica draw scraper

In this instructional harmonica video, learn how to sharpen your harmonica draw scraper after you have been using it for a while. The very best stone you can use to sharpen the draw scraper is the hard Arkansas stone. Better tune your harmonica by sharpening your draw scraper. This video is great for harmonica performers and enthusiasts.

How To: Tune the harmonica using the draw scraper

Watch this instructional harmonica video to help you familiarize yourself with how to tune a harmonica using the draw scraper. This video tutorial provides basics tips on how to get used to using a draw scraper. It is recommended that you find an old tarnished reed plate. Start by scraping on the reed plate to see the kind of mark you make. This video is great for harmonica performers and enthusiasts.

How To: Bend and overblow notes on the harmonica

Learn how to bend and overblow notes on the harmonica with this tutorial. Note bending is a technique that is used to change the pitch of a note and reach notes that are not on the diatonic harmonica. Overblowing is a technique used to produce a different pitch by changing the direction of the wind. Watch this how to video and you can produce these techniques on the harmonica.

How To: Play "Help Me" on the harmonica in different positions

This how to video is overview of the same mode played in different positions on the harmonica. As you can hear there are better positions for the tune "Help Me" than other positions. For example the C harp in 4th sounds the worst because of the unstable root. Even though this tune is traditionally played in 2nd position (cross harp) I prefer to play it on a G harp in 3rd position because I think it offers more sonic options due to it's naturally occurring Dorian mode.

How To: Get a full tone and vibrato on harmonica

This tutorial teaches you how to get vibrato on the harmonica. This video also teaches you a few notes on getting a full acoustic tone. With the tips from this how to video you can get a rich tone on your harp.

How To: Play "On the Road Again" on the harmonica

Learn how to adjust your harmonica to be able to play On The Road Again by Canned Heat with this music tutorial. This harmonica is in the key of A. You can tune your harmonica to any song with the tips from this how to video.

How To: Use an octave playing technique on your harmonica

Make your harmonica talk. In this instructional video, you'll learn how to perform what can only be described as "that vocal harp thing" on your harmonica. The trick, as you'll learn, requires octave playing, using the second and fifth blow holes simultaneously while blocking the third and fourth.

How To: Play Stormy Monday on the blues harp

Learn how to play Stormy Mondays on the blues harmonica with this tutorial. This lesson demonstrates how you can play this song using only simple bends. Stormy Monday is an easy song to play for beginner harmonica players. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play Stormy Monday on the blues harp.

How To: Play a natural scale on the harmonica

This how to video teaches you how to play the natural scale, and chord changes especially the ii-V-I which is something every musician should know. Watch this how to video and soon you will be able to play the natural scale on harmonica.

How To: Play jazz blues in 11th position on the harmonica

This tutorial teaches you how to play a jazz blues in 11th position with a harmonica. The Bb Blues in 11th on a C diatonic harmonica is the perfect position for a jazz jam. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play the jazz blues in llth position on the harmonica. The demonstration uses a C harp and and Eb harp.

How To: Play 11th and 3rd position licks on the harmonica

Learn how you can play your Dm 3rd positions licks over 11th position in Bbmaj. This demonstration uses a C diatonic harp. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play licks in the 3rd positions and 11th position on the harmonica.

How To: Play a blues based intro to 11th position on harmonica

Learn how to play a blues based intro to 11th position on harmonica with this tutorial. Pick up your C harmonica and play along in a minor cross harp position (2nd). We're playing in Gm but the music will switch to Bbmaj7. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play a blues based intro to 11th position on harmonica.

How To: Play vibrato on the harmonica

This tutorial teaches you the style of playing harmonica with vibrato. Vibrato is a great way to add interest to your harmonica playing. An A harmonica is used for the lesson. With the tips from this video you should be able to play notes with vibrato on the harmonica.

How To: Tune a harmonica

This two part how to video covers techniques for tuning the harmonica. All you need are a draw scraper and some files. With the tips from this tutorial you will be able keep your harmonicas in tune.

How To: Play octaves on a harmonica

Watch this harmonica tutorial video to learn how to play octaves on your harmonica. The split interval or octave technique is useful in all different kinds of harmonica playing. Harmonica players of all ability levels will find this instructional video helpful in learning how to play octaves on a harmonica.

How To: Bend on a harmonica

Watch this harmonica tutorial video to learn how to perform a popular technique called bending on your harmonica. This instructional video covers several different ways to perform this fundamental technique. Bending is not easy--it takes practice. Any level harmonica player will find this how-to video helpful when learning how to bend on a harmonica.

How To: Learn to play the harmonica

Watch this harmonica tutorial video to learn about the philosophies of learning harmonica. The six categories are practice, listen to other people play the harmonica, listen to non-harmonica music, work on specifics, work on playing, and practice. The tips in this helpful instructional video will help you learn to play the harmonica better.

How To: Play blues licks on harmonica

Watch this harmonica tutorial video to learn "Low Hanging Fruit" and other blues licks for the harmonica. This instructional video is directed specifically at advanced beginners and intermediates. This helpful how-to video contains some easy blues licks for the harmonica that you'll be playing in no time.