How-To Guides about Harmonica

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Watch this harmonica tutorial video to learn how to play the harmonica one hole at a time. The instructions for the exercise in this how-to video are helpful for harmonica players of any level, and the exercise will help build your creativity. Start simple and then increase complexity. Playing the harmonica one hole at a time will be easy using the tips in this instructional video.

In a two part series Gussow gives an introduction to the fine art of singing, blowing harp fills, and keeping a strong beat, on a key of C harp.

Overblows! A quick-hit lesson on what they are, how to play them, and how to set up your harmonica to make them easier to play. Brief demo of overblow licks and Sony Rollins' "Tenor Madness."

Ten key principles for blues harmonica improvisation, offered by harpist Adam Gussow. The first 8 are discussed here; the final 2 will be discussed in a short second video.

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.

Gussow shows the importance of the 4 hole draw and suggests various ways of approaching the 4 hole draw and the 4 hole blow on a harmonica. This is for intermediate and advanced harmonica players.

This two part video shows you how to play Train songs and Fox Chases on your harmonica.