Greetings fellow harp players!

What are the basic techniques every beginner should know and master before moving on. I've spent so much  time on bending, vibrato and theory and a result I don't know any of the basics other than DRE, single notes and hand technique.

I use both methods- a program called AP Tuner and I try matching notes with a couple bending videos on youtube. I just downloaded that program you mentioned and I'm going test it now right now. I'll let everyone know what I think of it when I'm done.

Thanks Joe and SPD for the awesome chin up exercises and tips! I've been working with the one in JP's video but I can't bend straight into hole 4, but holes 2 and 3 are ok. Still needs more work, though I'm gunna add these tabs to my notebook! >

Share them with us

James is awesome. I learned a lot from his vids, but that Hoodle diddle technique still eludes me to this day. I learned bending from these guys

Lesson 3 of 7 - Bending: What Happens in the Mouth

Basic Beginning note bending

Nothing is more exciting than taking a great song and dissecting it. And rebuilding it. MUHAHAHA Just the other day, I was fooling around with my harp trying to learn the Transformers theme song  and I ended up with the riff for "Smoke On The Water" (-3,-4,5 -3,-4,-5,5 -3,-4, 5 -45, -34) I'm still working on the rest.  I've also been playing a few tabs, such as
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "Kum by ya(?)" and "Oh Suzanna" and others. They help me find my way around the harmonica as well as keeping me motivated.  As for sheet music...who needs it!

http://www.harmonicacountry.com Great tabs for beginners)

Hey! That piece of junk was expensive. I didn't know if the harmonica was right for me at first, but one year later and I'm still harping (on/off). I now play a SP20--quality and affordability  at it's best.

The first harp I bought was a Walmart First Act Harmonica. Damn thing is leakier than a colander full of water. The book and CD it comes with a pretty informative, though.

I wish I was good enough so I can do this. I'll never have to work for "the man" again

Welcome to the club, Ace. I'm glad you picked up the harmonica again. Learning an instrument can be very daunting at first but NEVER give up. I did, now I'm paying for it. And you're using a Hohner Special 20--I use the same harmonica. what key is yours in?

If you are struggling with single notes a here some videos that may help you.

Harmonica Lesson for Beginners: Single Note Exercise

Lesson 17 of 25 - Blues Harmonica Fundamentals Video: Pucker Embouchure

I used the lip pucker technique combined with the Major Scale.

http://www.harmonica4kids.com/songs_major.html



PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

Practicing the Harmonica

Very interesting, but I don't think that's what he meant.

The Uppercut - rock harmonica

Sonny Terry (audio only)

Who else is from Canada?

While browsing this site last night someone mentioned a turning program and I decided to try it out. Thanks to the program I've found out some of my bends were a bit off. I'm currently working on bending holes 2 and 3. I have trouble maintaining isolating both bends on hole 2. As for hole 3 I can't get the A note to stick and for some reason I keep hitting a g#. Does hole 3 have more notes? I am also working on throat vibrato. I can flutter my throat muscles well, but It still doesn't sound half as soothing as some of the guys on Youtube.