Hot Harmonica How-Tos

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: 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: 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: Play Minor Scales on the harmonica
How to play various Minor scales on a regular ten hole diatonic. (C harp)

How To: Play 'run around' by Blues Traveler on harmonica
Learn how to play the song 'Run around' by Blues Traveler on the harmonica.

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 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: Do lip pursing and tongue blocking
Lip pursing and tongue blocking are demonstrated in this video.

How To: Play harmonica one hole at a time
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.

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 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: 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 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: 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: Tongue block on harmonica
This is a two part video to show you how to tongue-block on a harmonica. Part 1 of 2 - How to Tongue block on harmonica.

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: 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 pentatonic and blues scales on the harmonica
(Using an Eb Harmonica) A Brief overview of how to play and use the pentatonic scale in three positions/keys over a typical blues progression.

How To: Play third position blues on a harmonica
On a hot and sultry July afternoon in Mississippi, Gussow shows you how to play blues in B on an A harp in a two part series.

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: 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: Play the 4 hole draw on the harmonica
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.

How To: Play 'Silent Night' on harmonica
Learn to play the holiday song 'Silent Night' on harmonica.

How To: Sing, keep a strong beat, and play the harmonica
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.

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: Count and play your way through 12-bar blues change
A three-part lesson in how to count and play your way through 12-bar blues changes on your harmonica. Required: a copy of "Harp Attack," a 1990 Alligator Records release.

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 clean 4 hole draw on the harmonica
Learn how to get a clean sounding 4 hole draw on the harmonica.

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: 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.

How To: Play the Upper Octave 7-10 holes on a harmonica
This is a three part video series to show you how to play the upper octaves on a harmonica, specifically 7-10 holes.

How To: Play Chordal Vamping on the harmonica
How to play chordal vamping on the harmonica. Use chords to keep time or as a vamp in between riffs/licks - sort of like the Whammer Jammer intro. (A harp 2nd position)

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 harmonica with additive techniques
Watch this harmonica tutorial video to learn how to play some exercises and build techniques on the harmonica. The instructions in this how-to video require a certain amount of knowledge of the harmonica, particularly how to hold it and how to hold your mouth, but this video is still helpful for beginners. This instructional video will help you play harmonica with additive techniques.

How To: Keep a steady beat on the harmonica
Learn to use phantom chords as beat-keeping tools on the 2 hole draw. also teaches syncopated harp breakdown on 1, 2, and 3 hole and call and response within chord patterns.

How To: Play the harmonica in ten minutes
Have you always wanted to play the harmonica but have no idea where to begin? Don't worry as we are going to show you an easy blues riff that anyone can play with just ten minutes practice! Play the harmonica in ten minutes.

How To: Customize harmonicas
Five customized harmonicas are demonstrated in this video.

How To: Play root notes on the harmonica
How to play root notes on the harmonica. A look at the three root notes that make up the rudiments of a standard 12 bar blues and how they serve as an introduction to blues improvisation! Part 2 is an expansion by adding the 3 draw in all its bent and unbent forms as a harmony of the previously discussed root notes.

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: 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.