Hey everybody! I'm Jake...I want to to teach you to play the harmonica.
This is a 10 hole diatonic harmonica (the most common harmonica used). It's also known as a blues harp, tin sandwich, mouth organ, and the Mississippi Saxophone.
The harmonica is a wonderful instrument for children and adults to learn because it's affordable and most find it much easier to learn than other instruments. This page will show you the parts of the harmonica, the type of harmonica you'll need, how to maintain your instrument and HOW TO PLAY IT. Everything will be broken down so no matter what age you are...this lesson will help you begin your journey towards learning the harmonica.
Step 1: Ensure you have the correct type of harmonica. The most popular type of harmonica is the 10 hole diatonic harmonica. You can count the holes 1 through 10. There are many brands and models to choose from, but you'll want to ensure that you get one that is quality (but you don't need to break the bank). Plus, we're using a key of C.
Jake recommends the Easttop Blues Harmonica. It's an affordable harmonica that is consistently good quality. You can buy much better harmonicas, like the Hohner Special 20, but the Easttop is what a lot of newer harmonica players are using.
Click here to get your Easttop Blues Harmonica.
Watch this video to learn a little more about the Easttop >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Easttop comes with a convenient carry case.
Step 2: The parts of the harmonica are important to learn. The harmonica will have numerous screws, cover plates, reed plates, reeds, and a comb. There will be numbers along the top of the harmonica 1 through 10. The 1 will be the lowest note and the 10 will be the highest. Take a look at the pictures below and we'll take a closer look at each of the parts.
Click the video here to see HOW to take the harp apart >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The mouthpiece of the harmonica (count 10 holes)
There are 2 screws that hold the harmonica cover plates to the rest of the instrument.
The upper and lower cover plates are nearly identical. Only the golden markings are different.
Full view of the reed plate attached to the comb with 9 screws
Using a small screwdriver, the reed plates can be removed from the comb. They are self tapping so they run through both upper and lower reed plates.
This is a closeup of the reeds. The holes in the reed plate that the reeds vibrate through are called "slots".
both lower and upper reedplates removed from the comb
the flip sides of the reed plates
The comb. Can you guess why it's called "the comb"? The empty spaces between the teeth are referred to as chambers.
screws, covers, comb, reed plates taken apart
Step 3: Holding the harmonica and how to play a rhythm. The harmonica is simple to play, but making sure that you are holding it properly and putting it in your lips correctly will help you get a better and more consistent sound. In the below video I'm using a Seydel Session Steel in the key of C. They are good harmonicas, but a lot more expensive than the Easttop Blues Harmonica. However, you can use any 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C to follow along.