This week’s lesson looks at playing in 1st position using a major scale. We will be playing in the key of C. Therefore, you will need a harmonica in the key C.
This lesson is aimed at beginners but I think it would be for so useful for quite a lot of more experienced players.
I am going to show you how to work out melodies by ear which might seem like a waste of time but it is really useful to help you get the tunes that are in your head out through the harmonica.
C major scale
4 blow, 4 draw, 5 blow, 5 draw, 6 blow, 6 draw, 7 draw, 7 blow
Practice the C major scale which we have not played in a long time to familiarise yourself with how the notes sound.
Somewhere over the rainbow
I have chosen “somewhere over the rainbow” as a melody that I know quite well but have never played on the harmonica. This exercise is much easier if you are using a melody that you could already single whistle.
We are going to be transcribing. All this means is working out how to play the tune on the harmonica by ear. All of the notes in “somewhere over the rainbow” are in the C major scale so it is a case of trying to work it out by trial and error.
1st couple of notes
At 1st, this will feel like quite a daunting task. Therefore, you should start with just the 1st few notes and sing them then try to play them on the harmonica.
Once you have worked out the 1st few notes, write them down then try to work out the next few notes so on and so forth until you have the whole tune written down.
Slow work
The whole process might feel painfully slow but you are creating new pathways in your brain so it is worthwhile!
Seven-day challenge
Now that you have done this I invite you to join my seven-day challenge where I will send you a simple melody everyday for a week which you are going to transcribe.
All you need to do is click below, put your e-mail address in and I will send you a new challenge every day.
Thank you for watching
Thank you so much for watching/reading this lesson. I was helpful for you. I know it feels completely mad at this stage but it will get easier and easier the more you do it.
Imagine being able to play a song from an instrument that can fit right into your pocket! With a harmonica, you can do just that. Harmonicas are such small and versatile instruments that they are easily overlooked for playing music. A lot of people do not think that these little wind instruments can play actual chords, or full, unaccompanied songs for that matter. Today, we are going to show you how to prove them wrong with these beautiful and classic songs that you can play on a harmonica!
Amazing Grace
Serenade a group of people with this soulful song:
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 6
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
6 7 8 7 8 -8 9
That saved a__ wretch like me.
8 9 8 9 8 7 6 -6 7 7 -6 6
I once was lost but no-w am__ found,
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7
Was blind, but now I see.
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 6
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
6 7 8 7 8 -8 9
And Grace, my_ fears relieved.
8 9 8 9 8 7 6 -6 7 7 -6 6
How precious did that Grace appear
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7
The hour I__ first believed.
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 6
Through many_ dangers, toils and snares
6 7 8 7 8 -8 9
I have al-ready come;
8 9 8 9 8 7 6 -6 7 7 -6 6
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7
and Grace will lead me home.
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 6
When we’ve been here ten thousand years
6 7 8 7 8 -8 9
Bright shining as the sun.
8 9 8 9 8 7 6 -6 7 7 -6 6
We’ve no_ less days to sing God’s praise
How To Learn Harmonica By Ear
6 7 8 7 8 -8 7
Than when we’ve first begun.
The harmonica is actually a great instrument for playing the blues, as well!
Piano Man
Take this Elton John and Billy Joel classic to a more compact level:
6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4
its nine o-clock on a sa-turday
4 4 4 4 4 4 -4 -4
the regular crowd shuffles in
6 6 6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4
theres an old man sitting next to me
3 3 3 -5 -5 -5 5 4 4
making love to his tonic and gin
9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7
he says son can you play me a memory
7 7 7 7 7 -8 – 8 -8
im not really sure how it goes
8 -9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 8 8
but its sad and its sweet and I knew it complete
7 7 7 8 -9 8 7 7
when I wore a younger mans clothes
-6 -6 -6 -7 7 -7 -7
da – da – da – de – de – d-a
-6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6
da – da – de – de – da – da – da
9 9 9 9
sing us a song
-9 8 -9 8 7
you’re the piano man
-6 7 7 7 -8 -8
sing us a song tonight
8 8 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 7
well were all in the mood for a melody
7 -6 7 7 -9 8 7 7
and you’ve got us feeling alright.
Happy Birthday
Be prepared for anyone’s once a year celebration by learning this memorable tune:
6 6 -6 6 7 -7
Hap-py birth-day to you,
6 6 -6 6 -8 7
Hap-py birth-day to you,
6 6 9 8 7 -7 -6
Hap-py birth-day to ___ ___
-9 -9 8 7 -8 7
Hap-py birth-day to you.
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
If you are a daydreamer, this song will suit you and your harmonica perfectly!
4 7 -7 6 -6 -7 7
1.some-where o-ver the rain-bow
2.some-where o-ver the rain-bow
4 -6 6
1.way up high
2.skies are blue
4 -6 6
1.there’s a land
2.and the dreams
5 -5 6 -6
1.that i heard of
2.that you dare to dream
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1.once in a lull-a-by
2.real-ly do come true
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some-day i’ll wish up-on a star
6 -5 6 -5
and wake up where
6 -5 6 -5 6 -6 -7
the clouds are be-hind me
6 5 6 5 6 5 6 5
where trou-bles melt like le-mon drops
6 -5 6 -5 6 -5 6 -5
a-way a-bove the chim-ney tops
6 -5 6 -6 -7
that’s where you’ll find me
4 7 -7 6 -6 -7 7
some-where o-ver the rain-bow
4 -6 6
blue-birds fly
5 -6 5 4 -4 5 -5
birds fly o-ver the rain-bow
-4 -3 4 5 4
why,then why,can’t i ?
6 5 6 5 6 5 6 5
if hap-py lit-tle blue-birds fly
6 -5 6 -5 6
beyond the rain-bow
-5 6 -6 -7 7
why,oh why,can’t i ?
Frozen – Let it Go
This song might not be a classic yet, but it sure is popular right now! Here is the chorus to Frozen’s “Let it Go”:
6 -6 -7 7
well now they know
-6 -7 7
let it go
6 8 -8
let it go
7 -6 -6 -6 -7 7
can’t hold back anymore
-6 -7 7
let it go
6 8 -8
let it go
7 7 -6 -6 -6 -7 7
turn away and slam the door
9 8 -8
I dont care
7 7 9 8 -8
what their going to say
7 7 -7 6 6
let the storm rage on
4 -5 -5 5 -5 5 -5 -5 5 4
the cold never bothered me anyway
Tips For Playing Beautiful Music
Before you start blowing away some tunes, here are some tips that might come in handy:
- Pucker your lips as if you are whistling to hit a single note strongly.
- Use your diaphragm to control your airflow when blowing into your harmonica.
- Be fluid with transitioning from one note to another. This takes practice, but you will get it over time!
- Have a clean mouth when you play. If you have just finished eating or drinking, rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth to avoid damaging or dirtying your harmonica.
Play Away!
Now that you have a few harmonica songs to practice with, you will get a feel for the versatility and adaptability that this small and compact instrument has to offer. As you get started playing your tunes, remember that there are plenty of courses over at Udemy.com taught by professional Harmonica instructors who are skilled at their craft, and intend to make you just as knowledgeable. We cannot wait to hear what songs you will learn on your journey!
If you are now just developing an interest for learning the harmonica, it may not be easy at first to find the right tools to help you figure it all out. Don’t get us wrong, because while there are a tonne of different teaching methods and resources out there, it is not always easy to find the right teaching method for you.
Fortunately, the technology has made it possible for students, even beginners to master the harmonica on their own by making it easy to discover resources that can help learners master the harmonica alongside traditional methods of learning such as music education or tutoring.
Read: Websites to Learn Harmonica
If you are eager to pick up new harmonica techniques, learn music theory as well as interact with other inspirational musicians to motivate your performances, then you are in the right place. Here are the best methods for learning the harmonica:
5 Methods on How to Learn Harmoncia Easily
Online harmonica lessons appeal to students because they are convenient, affordable and all a student really needs is a strong internet connection and the appropriate tools for learning. There are many online harmonica courses and lessons online, but they are not all created equal. Here are the best ones to sign up for:
ArtistWorks.com
There is a conversational approach to teaching when it comes to ArtistWorks.com. Thanks to their unique Video Exchange learning feature, students can upload videos of themselves practicing the harmonica or asking questions regarding assignments and the teacher in charge will respond by uploading a video for the student. This, back and forth conversational approach is why most students looking to learn the harmonica online choose ArtistWorks.com first.
These video exchanges between instructors and students are also made available to other students that have signed up for the program through the video archives so that students can learn from each other’s successes and failures, therefore building a community of harmonica players from all around the world.
If you are looking for an online program that has a face to face approach that is often missing in online learning and teaching, then you will definitely want to try out the harmonica lessons at ArtistsWorks.com.
Download iphone photos without itunes password. You don’t have to worry about carrying the data cable everywhere or say your friend to install itunes on their computer. But do you know that there are some of the apps that does the same job as itunes and even more than itunes. AirMore is one such free app that helps to Transfer Music/Photos/Videos from computer to iPhone without iTunes or you can say wirelessly.
Udemy
It does not get any simpler than Udemy, when it comes to online harmonica lessons. Whether you are interested in beginner lessons or are looking to advance your skills beyond what you might already know, there is an online instructor for everyone in Udemy.
To use it, all you have to do is sign up and choose any one of the many instructors from around the world that Udemy will connect you with to start learning. What you will really love about Udemy is that it can be accessed at any point through the app- most of the other online learning platforms do not have an app that can give you easy accessibility of this kind.
The comprehensive library of videos in Udemy are straightforward and broken down into small parts so that you can get on with things as effortlessly as possible.
Harmonica textbooks might not be appropriate for complete beginners but are still essential of you intend to fully grasp music theory. Whether you settle for an online tutor or not, books will come in handy when you need to advance your technique. As such, harmonica books should be incorporated alongside other teaching methods to enhance your ability, knowledge and skill.
Even if you cannot make it physically to meet your tutor, it is still possible to learn the harmonica online with a tutor of your choice. A professional tutor can help you learn by sharing his or her experiences and the techniques that have been obtained through years of continued practice and study. You can find an online tutor through:
Use LessonFace
If you are a harmonica player that prefers a little guidance and direction, then LessonFace is the ultimate platform for you to use when you want to learn the harmonica online. LessonFace works by connecting both professional musicians and aspiring ones to the right instructor. LessonFace also does a great job of matching students to tutors that have the right teaching style, skill level, and availability so that you can get maximum value from your lessons.
If you are looking for harmonica lessons for your child, it is also possible to use LessonFace to find an instructor that works specifically with children. Some teachers on the platform will also go the extra mile to offer a free introduction class to determine whether the lesson will be a great fit. Your experience on LessonFace will be determined largely by the tutor that you select so it is advised that you take your time before finally settling for a teacher of your choice.
4) Find the right Harmonica Tutor AT YOUR LOCATION
Finding a harmonica teacher in your location is a lot easy nowadays thanks to online various online platforms that connect students to tutors that are close by in their location. The best platform so far for finding online tutors nearby include:
Use Musika
Musika is one of those websites that have been created for music instructors so that potential students in their location can contact and find them. Rather than go through the long process of looking for a tutor on classifieds, Musika connects interested learners with instructors that are nearby. All the teachers in Musika are put through an extensive interview process before they are hired so you never have to worry about receiving substandard care from your instructor.
Use Google and search with keyword “Harmonica”
Finding a tutor near you is as easy as using Google. All you have to do is use the keyword harmonica tutors near me in the google Search box and you will receive countless suggestions for teachers in your location or neighbourhood.
Learning an instrument online can sometimes be an intimidating venture. So, most individuals turn to YouTube first to try out the experience. There are plenty of great tutorials on YouTube that can help you learn the harmonica and what is so great about these tutorials is that they are absolutely free! You can also sample different harmonica channels before finally finding one that matches your taste and preference.
Easy Methods to Learn Harmonica
There is no denying that there is definitely a certain appeal to the harmonica that is typically missing in other instruments. The harmonica is very uncomplicated so regardless of the teaching method that you settle for, learning the instrument will be easy as long as you dedicate and commit yourself fully to the learning process.
Of course, like all musical instruments, it helps to have an ear for the sound. It also helps if you find a teaching method that works for you so that you can make the best of your entire experience.
Choose a harmonica. There are many different types of harmonica available for purchase, which vary in use and price. For now, purchase either a diatonic or a chromatic harmonica. Either type can be used to play most popular music, such as blues or folk.[1]- The diatonic harmonica is arguably the most common type available, and certainly the cheapest. It's tuned to a specific key, which can't be changed. Most diatonic harmonicas are tuned to the key of C. Types of diatonic harmonica include the “blues harmonica,” the “tremolo harmonica,” and the “octave harmonica.”
- In the western world, the blues harmonica is common; in east Asia, the tremolo harmonica is seen more often.
- The chromatic harmonica is a type of harmonica that uses a mechanical apparatus to control which holes make noise. Basic chromatic harmonicas with 10 notes can only play one full key (the same as a diatonic harmonica), but chromatics with 12-16 holes can be tuned to any key. Chromatics are considerably more expensive than most diatonic harmonicas; a quality chromatic from a reputable brand can cost several hundred dollars.[2]
- Because of their flexibility, 12-plus-note chromatic harmonicas are generally preferred for jazz music.
- A common shorthand term for the harmonica is the “harp.” This comes from its other traditional names, including “French harp” and “blues harp.” As long as the context is clear, the words “harmonica” and “harp” can be used interchangeably.