Harmonica Lesson: Clean Clear Single Notes

C Diatonic Harmonica
One of the differences between mediocre and decent harmonica playing, is one's ability to play cleanly. In this video, I attempt to teach beginning harmonica players how to progress towards playing clean, clear single notes.

[@stephaniejoyce2275]

Hi! I am a 64 yr old woman and trying to survive breast cancer side effects. I love all kinds of music and figured I could try keeping my spirits up with the harmonica So, I got myself one and ran across you and your video instructions. Just did this today and so very happy to "meet" you. Hope I can progress so I can have some fun. Thank you for doing this- looks like you are patient, kind, and knowledgeable!

[@12gagedan]

Hang in there Stephanie. I hope the harmonica brings you joy and helps you through this. Thanks very much for watching and for writing. d.g.

[@theartbrush]

I started on the harmonica for COPD therapy 2yrs, It works. Hang in, its rewarding

[@abdullast3434]

stephanie joyce Hi. I wish you got well now. Best of luck

[@enzyte9215]

Somewhat Questionable dude wtf

[@germaingautreau1874]

I got the best tip at 3:38 this method is surprisingly the answer to my single note problem ! Thanks for the excellent information, very helpful .

[@domnulelias]

i love you

[@Aristocob]

Just opened my harmonica and am thrilled to find your channel. Can't believe I've lived 53 years and have never played one. Thanks for the help. Scott

[@12gagedan]

It's never too late to start! If you get into it, and have the means, I highly endorse Jon Gindick's Harmonica Jam Camps. Great way to kick the learning into high gear. Good luck! D.G.

[@Aristocob]

12gagedan Thanks for that!

[@toncitos]

Dude, I've been watching hundreds of videos trying to understand what's wrong with my sound, and I have to admit it this one got me!! Thanks a lot!! I will keep practicing and watching your videos!

[@o0FallenAngel0o]

This is only my second day at it and I feel a lot better knowing that it's ok that I suck and can't get one single note yet. This was really helpful. Thanks!

[@carolescott1]

Like Stephanie - I am just starting to play the harmonica. I ADORE music - I play the piano, a little guitar and a little accordion ! The reason I want to play the harmonica - is I am now 76 years old and the weight of instruments, my clumsiness, etc. Sooo, the harmonica is very easy to carry with me, NO weight, easy to handle and hopefully easy to play, because I love putting a little joy around me.. AND, as you said - I will practice and practice. Thank you so very much. Carole Scott - Quebec Canada

[@miked9869]

Been trying to play for a year.........still not getting clean single notes but this video was very helpful in pointing out the obvious...........PRACTICE.......I wont quit. Only tune that I can play which is forgiving with my lack of clean notes is Love Me Do by the Beatles.

[@adolfogomez5556]

You make it sound as it should. Practice, practice and eventually perfect practice. Thank you for your dedication to us the beginners

[@stevescott8334]

Thank you so much I was beginning to stress about not able to play a single note with out hitting the next one. I've been practising for 3 days now. lol. I do however enjoy playing. :)

[@bamboosa]

@12gaedan - the reason you received so many "hits" is because non one wants to see virtuosos show off. Good teachers are rare. Never quit. Thanks, and be well.

[@eakm7861]

The best advice ever! You've made me feel a lot better about my pathetic playing. You've given me hope! Thank you.

[@dmanbiker]

Thanks, your tutorials are great. I play trumpet and pennywhistle well and since my dad has a harmonica set, I decided to start learning harmonica and your tutorials help a lot! It's unlike any instrument I've ever played, but totally awesome.

[@duffysullivan2794]

Blues harmonica teachers are the best teachers on utube! I have watched several and haven't come across a dud yet! They have all been devoted, helpful and fun. Haha for real!

[@ToadCruncher]

Dan you are so right on the money. Unless you have that rare natural music talent that some people are just born with, we simply have to practice our ass off. Every good harp player I’ve meet locally in the passed two years that I’ve been playing have inevitably answers me the same way. I’ve been playing for 15-20 years. I haven’t meet ONE decent harp player that said I just started last year. Great lesson by the way Thanks

[@ShaunOsaurusRox]

Hi Dave,well done, take my hat of to all you guys who give free lessons

[@richardcorysghost]

Thank you for your time and effort, it is very much appreciated. I am a blues guitarist who needs to learn the harp to enhance the sound I am making with others. I am a complete beginner, so your lessons are of great help to me.

[@landztranz]

Dan, you're great! Here's a trick that helps me play clean single notes: Doing "ta" with my tongue every time I want to play a single note; it seems to help direct the airflow into the hole. I'm sure it's not original, but I found it for myself and it works! I liken it to training wheels, which sometimes come off the ground/your parents raise 'em so they come off the ground while you're riding your bike until you can eventually ride without 'em. If you've already given that tip, my apologies.

[@victornunez9693]

Dan I am learning a lot with your videos. I will keep watching more. I just bought my first harmonica key C. Thanks

[@johnbanks5106]

Been playing guitar and piano for years. Never thought about picking up a harmonica. Got a Honer for Christmas…so fun. Very helpful video. Thanks man.

[@jc7636]

Thanx Dan, Just started about a week ago, Iam 66 years old and am have fun trying C major scale as practice. Not sure my wife is enjoying it as much as me.

[@dereklyonproductions]

Just bought my first harp, first time checking out Dan's video's. Absolutely hilarious, great teacher, very knowledgeable. I have subscribed!

[@mathiosdad]

dude you're sick i just bought my harmonica and without u id b lost. only thing is id love to see a simple tutorial video about playing the blues step by step!

[@InterFace95]

the one tip helped me the most: form your lips like whistling after practising 5 min, i got the first clean note

[@ravl1010]

Thanks for the video, glad to see you're back on the net :) You are definitely right, I thought playing the harmonica would be a piece of cake when I started in November last year but despite its unassuming appearance, the harmonica is a full-blown musical instrument. It's been 5 months and I am finally getting single notes and getting the muscle memory to find the right holes and I am working on bends. It's been great fun and I think this will be a lifelong hobbie :)

[@stujenner]

Thanks very much Dan. After three days I am just starting to hear some clear single notes, especially higher up the scale

[@themagnetc]

I did actually figure out how to bend notes following along to this video, playing a harmonica while it was running. That being said, I've been getting away with amatuerish harmonica soloing as an acoustic musician with a coffee house gig for a little over a year now. I did just go for it like Dan says and first focused on coordinating my breathing while strumming and improvising basic melodies on the harp. Everyone just follow Dan's advice and you will pick it up. Just remember that you can't really play a wrong note on the harp...some just sound better than others depending on what's happening in the music.

[@andreakirkby]

Thanks for the encouraging video. Starting a new instrument it's difficult to keep going, I'm listening to really good players on KZbin and then wondering why I sound so bad... I will go back to practising this morning feeling much more positive!

[@udizi100]

i started to play harmonica today. at first it was really hard to play single nots, but i practiced today about 4 or 5 hours (its fun so i just did it without noticing the time) and now i almost got it. i can play single notes, sometimes i play more than 1 by mistake, but i really start to control that :) thank you for help!

[@geoffcaspell4585]

Dan I know its been a long time since you done this about 3 years but thanks i like your style there are not a lot of harp teachers here in the UK but i have just found one so there now hope, keep em comeing mate

[@gunlokman]

I can't believe the previous comment is dated 4 years ago! Anyway - thank you. What you have said is of great help.

[@Idlev]

I have a diatonic D harmonica, and this video really helped me to get started. And I actually got it in ~3 days :p.

[@meradu2]

Hello Dan you are right on the money. Unless you have natural music talent ,you have to practice ,glad to see more from you. Radu

[@onenarrowdoor]

I got the shock of my life when first buying a blues harp and not being able to play like Sonny Boy Williamson within a week. Got good enough (after a year or so) with hitting single notes first time and bending the usual reeds to be able to earn a little bit busking (begging, really) BUT never progressed beyond that. I tried the tongue blocking thing but got so discouraged that I gave up altogether (that was 12 years ago). Well, just bought me a Special 20 (Bb) and have subscribed...

[@matthewbazemore7981]

Hey, I am 15 years old and I am blind. I really enjoy playing instruments, one of my goals right now is to learn the harmonica. I am having a hard time blocking the holes, when I try to block them, it's like it's hard to breathe through. I would love to speak with you personally, so maybe you can help me out more. I appreciate the video, and I believe you can help me. If you get a chance, please reply, because I look forward to working with you. Thanks

[@AlterdaftRotMG]

best of luck man on your journey!

[@12gagedan]

Hey man, my life is pretty crazy time-wise lately. Couple tips: Make sure you have a decent harmonica; nothing cheaper than say $20-25. Cheap harmonicas are difficult to play. I used my fingers to isolate a single hole when I was just learning. You could also ask someone to tape off the harp temporarily, just to get the feel of playing one at a time. For breathing, you work up to it, and it gets easier. It feels like hyperventilating at first, but it takes time and effort. You just have to keep at it. Good luck.

[@zacgroszman3509]

Matthew Bazemore I

[@brettjones3529]

can you see yet?

[@ShopWave-r6e]

How did you type that if your blind

[@amandavargas443]

Hey, just wanted to say that I LOVE your videos. You're so funny and also a great teacher. I love your comments, it just makes me more relaxed and not in a hurry to sound perfect. So thank you for this!

[@16Loreley]

XxBo3eeDxX I bet you wish I would suck yours, but then, judging by the content of your comment, you must be a miserable good for nothing person with nothing else better to do than to be on the internet making shitty comments that aren't funny just to try to make you feel better about your shitty life. Just feel sorry for you. But I guess I don't need to because you already must feel sorry for yourself. ;)

[@jimmyveryhappy]

XxBo3eeDxX Fell the burn. Need ice?

[@jimmyveryhappy]

feel

[@tnysteph]

Dan great video. I have looking at this one a number of times. I play by u blocking. It works for me, it comes natural to me. I can bend using it. I work at TB & pucker also, but in up back with UB. Your best advice here is "Have Fun" and I am. Thanks

[@R2shanks83]

Watched two of your videos and they are both brilliant. You have amazing skills.

[@ceydmann]

I can watch your vids all day...keep going mate...you talk my language..thanks

[@Dedicednu]

I'd rather hear it takes time than that I just plain suck lol I'm just proud of the fact that I almost have Amazing Grace and When the Saints Go Marching In memorized. My goal is to just not break eardrums by the time camping weather comes around. Great video and thanks for posting!! :)

[@Industrious_Farmer]

Great great video man!!! It's so awesome that you take the time to make and post these!!!!

[@GrinFlash007]

If you want clear single notes, try tilting the back of your harmonica slightly upwards while playing. It worked for me & I started getting clear single notes within an hour. Hope this helps all the beginners like me.

[@MagicMountainStudio]

this is exactly what is being done for asthmatics, older people, etc etc...in the world today...ab out slow easy, breathing, and such simple one to one, sounds.... thanks... btw, nice mohawk hair ...!

[@12gagedan]

@ktnator1 you will be able to learn all the basics. However, since most blues players default to "second position" or "cross harp" you'll find it challenging to find people or recordings to play along with. In cross harp, B harmonica plays over music in F# (a rare key indeed)

[@Dukethecrazy419]

Man I finally got my C harp tuned to where its sounding just as sweet as yours minus the skill on my end but I'm going to keep practicing! Thanks so much Dan! I really appreciate the video's!

[@AndrewPetersenandcompany]

Thank you very much for spending your time doing this for everyone.

[@rpavich]

You are such a good teacher...thanks for all these videos.

[@jtdbs]

Dan I am so greatfull that you made another beginer video.I hope you make some more :D

[@12gagedan]

@codybarnhartmusic It's amazing how seemingly simple subjects can warrant a lot of discussion. I tend to over-do it a bit, but you'd be surprised how many folks miss the fundamentals of this instrument.

[@daviddye7737]

An encouraging and fun video. Thanks!!!

[@alexwhite5849]

Best way to go about single notes is when blowing, make sure you're not play hard, if you're playing relaxed and soft, you'll get every single not in time. You can do it as if it were a rep.

[@twocanplayatthat]

Great video Dan! I have only been playing for two years, the one thing I always remember is to have fun! Relax and enjoy the music, everything else follows.

[@burleybater]

Even the raw gnarly sounds pretty damned good to me. I could draw an analogy with learning guitar - all those clicks and buzzes learning how to play a "clear" chord. To me this is just the difference between mouth and fingers. But I get what the message is. If you can make a sound that's pleasing to your own ear and feels like a step along that long road, then that's good.

[@12gagedan]

@tagbag2 notes are played breathing in. Most wind instruments only go one way (breathing out)

[@XYZ80085]

Awesome stuff. It's all so much clearer now. Thanks

[@tagbag2]

@12gagedan oh you mean that. but the problem i have is when i do draw notes. esp on the 3rd hole draw, i tend to get a muffled sound. and i watched one of your videos regarding the problem and you demonstrated breathing in through your nose simultaneously while drawing the note. it sure works, but i have very little stamina to continue playing as too much air goes into my lungs! thanks for the comment btw ^^v

[@barrettsmithrdroad5160]

I'm 63, and on my bucket list is to learn a musical instrument.. I WILL DO THIS cause I enjoy it...

[@johnbrandonjr]

Thank you so much. I learned something. I love those little nuggets.

[@dangage4111]

Started taking these lessons Dan! Nice one!

[@ShaunOsaurusRox]

Sorry Dan : )))) And thank's for all your instructional video's. Take my hat of to you, giving free advice. And to other's who do it. And Jon is fantastic, along with his band camp, wish I was in the States. And at 35 don't worry, your still a baby : ) lol

[@bboooommsstteerr]

This is going to be a short vid. *looks ate length of vid.* *laughs* 'Short' XD Thanks though, it was a big help

[@12gagedan]

@Dukethecrazy419 cooll! Thanks for the nice comment.

[@julianfernandes2770]

Really its a excellent topic it getting more clear about breathing and sound, thanks

[@bugo121]

im using u blockin to teach myself to play the harmonica so thank you for showing it in this video :)

[@levintibax8751]

omg i have tried and tried and then you show me the tounge whistle form trick and i'm tottaly good at it ;p

[@donniebrite9170]

Thank you for explaining it so we'll great video! I have been trying to learn single note playing but I am still a beginner and will keep at it I love your sound I hope to be as good as you one day

[@12gagedan]

It just takes time and effort. Keep at it.

[@donniebrite9170]

12gagedan I am and thanks for the encouragement I'm starting to pick it up better note bending is kind of complicated but I'm working at it as well I've only been practicing for a few months I appreciate the reply

[@12gagedan]

Early on the gains come quickly! Once you get good, you have to work hard just to maintain what you've built. I've been playing since I was 12 (almost 30 years) and I still practice 30+min almost every day, just to keep from getting WORSE! But if you like it, it's not "work". Play because you love to.

[@lfborja92]

Thanks man. Greetings from Ecuador

[@dmytropolovynka]

I've heard about two different ways of doing the "pucker" technique. First one: harmonica should be placed horizontally and the mouth sides (where lips meet) should be used to narrow the air flow to a single note. The second one: tilt back side of harmonica up, so that harmonica is blocked using our lower lip. Which method do you prefer?

[@12gagedan]

@apxitektop1985 I used a special 20 in this video.

[@666abee]

man.. i just bough a harmonica.. thanks for lessons you give.. :)

[@toomeysensei1]

Just stumbled onto you since I started learning harmonica. I have a c diatonic Lee Oscar. I like when you give us 4-8 note riffs to play. Can you do more of that?

[@nukemell]

Great video it tought me to relax and not thinking i sound dum or ne thing.

[@SuperMan19867]

thanks i did it! XD single notes i also used the finger idea (by my own) and use the thong and lips tricks, now i can play also solo ,not only a chords ^^

[@12gagedan]

@OkieJohn1950 John, The older I get, the more difficult I find it to find practice time. I love and live this stuff, so if I have trouble. . .Somebody once told me to set my target at 5min a day. Why? Because it seems like nothing to plan for 5min. The trick, is that once you start, 5 min becomes 30. Starting is the barrier.

[@joelmarr6590]

I'm really new to harmonica and what I find works for me to hit single notes is to bend the harmonica like you would a guitar string to hit a single note. Is this going to be a problem when I get more advanced or will it be viable all the way up?

[@alantay9409]

Great advise. Very true.

[@abhishek_2100]

hey Dan sir..i got my harmonica on the last christmas,n i am listening to u frm december...now i am able to play clean single notes,on the inhale and on exhale,bt i am having trouble with playing the different chords on my honher goldn melody of c scale....how can i improve my playing?? i mean, i want to play like you,the way you have fun with notes,the way you improvise.. n yes,your videos are really awesome... :D

[@Athlon2010]

So, as a beginner, i must not play harmonica songs from the very first time.Instead of this i should learn to play single notes instead of songs, right?

[@12gagedan]

@75ironhead603 I've seen people make great progress in the first months. I often wonder about the idea of "talent" vs. practice and how much of either one needs. It's a curious philosophical exercise to be sure. Talent or no, practice/work will lead to improvement. It's tough to make a lesson whose main thesis is that "it just takes time" but that's the only answer I know to this problem.

[@mannuposki10]

I have just started playing harmonica in key of C. I just had doubt if I can apply Vaseline to the mouthpiece and play as it makes my lips move easily across it?

[@12gagedan]

@dmanbiker It's different because you have to breathe in, too.

[@Placekband]

Very helpful, thanks from Prague. Petr

[@brettlloyd2414]

Thanks Dan! Great video!

[@kaylanbrent]

Great info...Thanks Dan .

[@Athlon2010]

My harmonica has an A on its box... is this an A key?

[@catsexual3412]

every time i am about to give up, i just come watch this vid.

[@MsxXtinaXx95]

To play clear single notes i just U blocking the other notes with my tongue. Will i have any problem later if i keep playing the same way? Thank you for your videos, they really help me!

[@MrDeadend1973]

Hi 12Gagedan, I have got a Hohner Bravo but it has 2 rims instead of 1, what does it do? What is the difference? Thanks already!

[@Shaynkss]

Whats a good type/key of Harmonica to buy if you wanna play just a lot of folk rock like the song Heart of Gold by Neil Young?

[@ronnie80hk]

Very agree. Practice is everything

[@croissant_23]

Thanks for teaching me this 😊it really helps me alot

[@toomeysensei1]

What can you suggest to not slobber all over your harmonica. I seem to slobber up after playing 8 or 10 notes.

[@deltafour1212]

I guess I'm the not the norm. I didn't think it was that hard. I picked up the harmoninca about 2 weeks ago and I can play nice clear single one notes. Even sliding from 5 to the 8 hole and back. After doing it for a while you get a sense of how far to slide your harmoninca back and forth I have no musical background. Go Figure!

[@Quagmire1771]

i finally got it! thank you so much! thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! : )

[@tomik524]

I've learnt to play clean clear notes, but I'm using U-blocking and it's really hard to bend and sound cool like without U-blocking. I just don't know if it's better to learn a new method or to stick to it and just really work on it. I suppose it's better to stick to it, but still... What do you think? Any of you guys or 12gagedan himself.

[@ktnator1]

I have a B harp instead of a C, will that be a problem?

[@MrSpanky2001]

Dan Gage, how come you don't post videos anymore? I liked your stuff.

[@12gagedan]

Two kids, aged 1 and almost 3. Hour-long commute each way. No time, man! Also, the KZbin harmonica lesson world is SATURATED with content. I don't know what I could add. Thanks, though. If there's something I can help you with directly, send me a PM.

[@carljohnson5029]

i have a hohner silverstar which is diatonic c and i just cant get the 2D. GOD WHY.

[@corban48]

So I can blow clean notes with my 'U tongue' but am i supposed to blow clean notes without my tongue?

[@cicichips]

same here... 2D isn't sounding so good... is it just the one reed? or am i doing it wrong?

[@jkentsuperman182]

this guy rules.