Your First Lesson

Getting Started with the Harmonica

Start out learning harmonica by playing exercises, scales, and songs.

Get a head start on your first lesson, and learn to play the C major scale.

Here are the notes of the C major scale:
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do)

Hold your harmonica with the numbers on the cover plate facing up (1-10, left to right).
(Refer to the bottom of my Private Lessons page for harmonica recommendations.)

1. Blow on hole # 4 (C note)
2. Draw (suck in) hole # 4 (D note)
3. Blow on hole # 5 (E note)
4. Draw on hole # 5 (F note)
5. Blow on hole # 6 (G note)
6. Draw on hole # 6 (A note)
7. Draw on hole # 7 (B note)
8. Blow on hole # 7 (C note)

Pucker your lips so that you blow or draw on one square (reed chamber) at a time. At first your notes might not sound right. You might be playing other notes also. Adjust your lips to make the opening smaller.

Learn to play Happy Birthday

6 blow, 6 blow, 6 draw, 6 blow, 7 blow, 7 (long) draw

6 blow, 6 blow, 6 draw, 6 blow, 8 draw, 7 (long) blow

6 blow, 6 blow, 9 blow, 8 blow, 7 blow, 7 blow, 7 draw, 6 draw (long)

9 draw, 9 draw, 8, blow, 7 blow, 8 draw, 7 blow

CD Recommendations

Listening to music is very important in the learning process. These CDs were very influential to me.