Hot Harmonica How-Tos
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 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: 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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 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: 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 "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 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 "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 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: 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 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: Practice to the blues scales on harmonica
Adam Gussow (of Satan and Adam) explains the blues scale and offers practice tips and inspiration to the harp player in search of self-transformation.
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 Minor Scales on the harmonica
How to play various Minor scales on a regular ten hole diatonic. (C harp)
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: 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 "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: 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 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: Do lip pursing and tongue blocking
Lip pursing and tongue blocking are demonstrated in this video.
How To: Customize harmonicas
Five customized harmonicas are demonstrated in this video.
How To: Play the harmonica as a beginner
Beginning harmonica lessons in a short three part series. Part 1 of 3 - How to Play the harmonica as a beginner.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: Play a drone blues riff with your harmonica
In a two-part lesson on a drone-blues riff from the streets of Harlem. Also, news about the FIRST extended Satan and Adam recording made on the street back in 1989. (Gussow is using an A harp.)
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: Play overblows on your harmonica
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."
How To: Blow a harmonica through a 12 bar blues changes
In a three part series on how to blow harp through 12-bar blues changes, moving one particular riff--root, fifth, flat seventh, octave--up a fourth (for the IV chord) and a fifth (for the V chord). Gussow is using a D harp.
How To: Play first position blues on a harmonica
This is a four part series of four lessons on traditional and new approaches to first position blues playing an A harp in the key of A.
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: 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.
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