How to Play the Harmonica

By JP Allen

Written by JP Allen on . Posted in Harmonica Lessons

Fun Techniques for Playing the Basic Diatonic Harmonica

So you want to learn how to play the harmonica? On this page I reveal the number one, easiest secret I know for learning how to play the harmonica with a rich bluesy tone and solid rhythm!

Core Essential Harmonica Playing Technique

Learn the DEEP RELAXED MOUTH POSITION

Can you bend and make the harmonica sing with rich and soulful sounds or do your notes sometimes sound airy and squeaky? I’m asking because far too many intermediate level players get stuck with bad habits and find themselves frustrated, unable to play songs accurately, and discouraged when attempting to bend.

If you’ve been having a hard time learning to play harmonica, it’s likely you have not been using the Deep Relaxed Embouchure as seen in Figure 1 below.

Mouth Position for Playing Harmonica
Figure 1: DO THIS Figure 2: DON’T DO THIS






Unlike many harmonica teachers, I highly advise against tight puckering or tongue-blocking in the beginning or you will have a much harder time learning to bend. (BTW…bending is that crying, wailing, soul-melting sound that has made the harmonica famous.)

The truth is that tight puckering of the lips will get you off to a fast start but is ultimately a dead-end street. (I’m emphasizing this because I know you can succeed with the harmonica if you develop good habits right from the beginning.) click here to see a free video that teaches the Deep Relaxed Embouchure, or follow the steps below.

Step 1. Hold the harmonica in your right hand so the numbers are facing up (the lowest sounding note should be on your left). This is not the advanced hand technique but this will make it easier for now…first things first.

Step 2. Position the harmonica deep in your mouth. Relax and moisten your lips.

Step 3. Rotate the harmonica so that the back-side of the harmonica goes up towards the ceiling. The angling of the harmonica down into your lower lip is critical (see Figure 1 above).

Step 4. Use a mirror to check that your upper lip is deep over the harmonica as demonstrated in this picture…

Step 4: Use a Mirror Step 5: Unfold Your Lower Lip






Step 5 (Most important). Unfold your lower lip. Notice in the photograph how the lower lip is unfolded so that the harmonica is making contact with the inner surface of the lower lip. Compare step 4 and 5′s photographs and notice how shallow the lower lip is on the cover plate of the harmonica.

Step 6. Use your fingers to pull down the lower lip to make sure that the harmonica is contacting the tender inner surface of your lower lip.

Step 7. Look in a mirror to confirm

  • 1. The upper lip is deep on the harmonica.
  • 2. The lower lip is shallow on the harmonica.
  • 3. The harmonica is contacting the inner surface of your lower lip.
  • 4. The harmonica is angled down into the lower lip.

Congratulations! If you only learn this one thing today, you’ve made this visit worth your while and created the foundations for learning the harmonica the right way!

JP Allen

JP Allen has been teaching music for over eighteen years. In addition to harmonica he teaches ukulele, piano, guitar, and drums. He taught harmonica at the University of Texas for over seven years and at Austin Community College for three years. Check out JP's world famous video lessons, click: JP's Beginners Harmonica Lessons

Comments (11)

  • Thomas

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    Hi JP Allen,
    I’ve been practicing this mouth position for 3 weeks and I can’t get the hang of it.
    It seems like the lips are blocking half of the hole I was to blow into which makes blowing and drawing difficult, and that rich sound just disappears. What adjustments am I supposed to do?

    THANKS!

    Reply

    • JP Allen

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      Hey Thomas! I need to take a bit of a guess here because without seeing your technique it’s tricky. My guess is that you need to bring the corners of your lips closer together. This will serve the purpose of isolating the single note without covering so much it that “the sound disappears” (because you are covering half the hole.

      What you can do is try taking your fingers and gently pinching the lower lip closer together. This will give you the feeling of bringing the corners of your lips closer together. Once you get the feeling naturally you will remove your fingers. Let me know if that helps.

      For more help on this go to:
      http://www.harmonica.com/single-notes-harmonica-4947.html

      jp

      Reply

  • Adasia

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    Hi I always wanted to play the harmonica and I have watched your videos but I can’t get the hang of it

    Reply

  • Carolyn

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    What harmonica do you recommend for a beginner that has no music background at all?

    Reply

  • Bruce Begley

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    Eagerly waiting for first lesson!

    Reply

  • Abhinav C

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    Hey, I am buying a harmonica tomorrow, i am really interested in learning! What kind should i get, considering i am a beginner but one that i could use for a long time too, u know. Thanks!

    Reply

  • Mike B.

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    Thank you for helping me get things started. Your techniques have been the help I needed. I am able to play single notes & get to where I can play songs. I am able to learn enough songs now that I am able to enjoy playing. I have chosen a different route with my playing though, I am learning to play a 12 hole Marine band, but when things don’t sound right I will pull out the bluesband until things sound right then return to the 12 hole for the lower tones. Love the lower octaves the 12 hole give me, keeps me playing & practicing. Thanks again for all the free advice, will be buying your CD’s when funds are available for this hobby…

    Reply

    • JP Allen

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      Right on Mike! Have fun with it. jp

      Reply

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