Harmonica Tips | Dos & Don'ts

How to prepare for a gig? How to organize your harps? Why shouldn’t you eat these foods before you play? Etc, etc… Here are 12 harmonica tips from a lifetime of playing- I hope you will find some of them useful (or funny).
► Howard’s harmonica books- Rhythms of the Breath, Vol.1+Vol.2: levyland.com/b...
► My Harps and Gear: levyland.com/m...
► Howard’s online harmonica school: artistworks.co...
► Website: levyland.com/
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Ceramic art by Regina Wolff: www.rwolffpotte...

[@davenorby8161]

You are to the harmonica what J.S. Bach was to the organ. You are a gift.

[@MarianMusic1]

You always have been a Master and you keep being a MASTER , you are a living harmonica legend, the one and only Howard Levy

[@serenity6233]

I agree

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Howard, great advice, and also experience, you been there!!!😎👍

[@blues3824]

I organize my harmonicas according to the Circle of Fifths (C,G,D,A,E, ect....to F). I started doing that to memorize the pattern. Works for me.

[@bleczycki]

very useful tips! Thank you Howard! Best greets!

[@HowardLevyland]

Thanks and a big hello to you!

[@ScottAlbertJohnson]

This is great. I've been gigging professionally for decades, and yet I still sometimes forget some of these best practices. Thanks much.

[@ibdense]

Great tips! It was a trip hearing the one part. It took me back to Sacramento around 1965. I used to try to go hear live music no matter where. One time I went to a nightclub that featured blues and had a primarily African-American clientele and entertainers. There was a guy in the band that played harp. I noticed that he kept his harp in a glass of (I think) water. So before the next time our band played, I stuck my Marine Band in a glass of water for about a day. After I thumped it a couple of times to get the water out I started playing. Yep. My lips were bloody. I had no idea about the swelling of the wood. Who knew?

[@billstunes]

I always feel like I've won a prize when I discover loose change in my harmonica. Thanks for all the treasures you give to us, Howard!

[@HowardLevyland]

You’re welcome!

[@LudoBeckers]

Thanks Howard :-) 2 more tips came to mind: a) at soundcheck play a low harp in the lowest octave and play a lick all the way up to the highest notes b) always let the harps dry after playing them

[@Chicago_Carey]

Howard.. I'm a fan.. and live in Rogers Park.. about 12 blocks from you.. lol.. if you ever need PRO repairs.. look-up my buddy.. Mike Peace.. you should get to know each other!! .. thank-you for all you do!!

[@tonyvani]

Thanks Howard, these tips especially about eating before playing is really important to me as well as the tip about taking your harp apart to unstick a reed or clean the harp.

[@lanechasek5560]

I managed to do impromptu reed gapping at a blues open mic a few weeks ago. It felt like a rite of passage.

[@paulmartin39]

I believe you are the foremost authority on harmonicas. I wish I could afford lessons with you. These videos are very generous with your time , advice given.. ❤️🙏❤️🙏🎼🎼

[@pinakidey7172]

I am from India. Playing Diatonic..... You tips are really very useful. Love and respect.

[@joesattler2773]

Thank you Howard- All these tips are really helpful to harp players no matter whether beginners or pros. Keep the videos coming! Thank you again!

[@dariuszrygier]

Great advices - thanks a million , good to see you again , all the very best !!!

[@jaibruce777]

Thank you for the tips. Very helpful Sir. Keep helping and inspiring others.

[@corsairf4u846]

I understand very very deep. So thanks Mr.]Levy. 有難うございます、」大変に分かり易く 親切なご説明でいつも感謝しております。

[@harmonicajohn]

Great advice for the most accomplished IMHO harmonica player in the world

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

Great practical tips Mr. Levy, I'm taking your course now by the way, starting in basic. I am really enjoying it. My wife is getting interested as well so I got her a crossover in C just like mine.

[@Harmonica123]

wonderful tips!

[@FilipJersMusic]

Haha, yes love this! Thanks for sharing.

[@ER-me1ii]

Wow it’s great to see the maestro putting out so much new material. Should have a million views and 100k subs easy.

[@saravananpaddy798]

Very glad to see you Sir once again👍

[@MomusFilms]

I really appreciate all the tips on your channel! Thx!

[@HowardLevyland]

Glad that my tips are helpful!

[@juanmanuel-rk3fe]

Teacher you are the David Carradine of the harmonica and your technique is a super kung fu☯️

[@markwathen8438]

You're very professional Howard Levy. No doubt the best of best. Thank you

[@DavidWilson-vq7fl]

I enjoyed this video a lot - great advice! Please keep the videos coming!

[@bobleach7313]

Thanks Howard!

[@Voltanaut]

Great video, really fun.

[@amirtorabi6302]

Really helpful! thanks a lot dear master howard!! ❤❤❤

[@timurvedernikov]

Very good tips!!! Thank you, dear Howard!!!

[@micksherlock4083]

Hey Howard.....I hate taking stuff apart....so for cleaning I use a Water pick (plastic comb only). It's like a power wash for your harps and does a great job. It has saved me dicking around with a screwstick many times. Thanks for the video.....bye

[@sylvestermonteiro5554]

❤ very useful tips !

[@mboykin6047]

Thanks Howard

[@claudwood6219]

Your so thoughtful and intelligent I wish I would have heard this a couple years ago... so many of those things I learned the hard way.. very entertaining funny for me! Thank you so much!

[@HowardLevyland]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@harmonicamanrandy]

Thanks Howard. I've had a lot of those typical mistakes with sound people too.

[@leksheychef6063]

I like to organize my harps along the circle of fifths. Yes I’m a slave to changing harps when using different positions!

[@aramisst-gelais]

I’m loving the weekly videos!

[@HowardLevyland]

Thanks!

[@ColoradoDuo]

Howard, you’re kill’n me with your “actual examples”. 😜

[@Diggsblues]

Thanks Howard !!! I remember when I was doing "Big River" shows I would always carry a back up harp for when I was on stage. The bad part in the "The Boys" scene you all fall down at the end. I had my harp in the inside pocket and landed on it. My ribs hurt for two weeks.

[@HowardLevyland]

Ouch!

[@mikeholcroft]

Many thanks-excellent!..

[@dosanchoas]

"Take the worry out of it - Don't deny yourself - Eat what you like!" (sounds like one of those weight loss/meal delivery programs, huh?) Great tips from Howard & would like to add that before set, a discreetly-pocketed toothbrush & toothpaste (travel size) for trip to restroom are part of MY habit!

[@ianstoker1]

My biggest problem is hearing myself onstage....I've decided to buy In Ear Monitors. Very expensive but well worth it I hope!

[@AlonCooperMusic]

Thanks man! I hope you'll keep uploading regularly, this was gold.

[@switchfoot19802000]

Very informative, always much appreciated. :)

[@dengjielong1970]

Thank you Howard!

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

Great tips 👌 very funny when that change fell out of the harp, Lol been there done that 😄

[@ParkJouha]

Many thanks so important infos.

[@Tienuyan]

Really nice !!

[@OmniphonProductions]

My harmonica case has a toothbrush in it, just in case a venue has something particularly tempting...and the kitchen closes before the gig ends.

[@paulcook68]

These are pretty cool videos! Thanks so much!

[@johnflanagan118]

Hiya..thank you for pointing out all my bad habits. I will cease immediately and be better. And how I would loved to have seen seen Junior Wells with Buddy Guy. And like all musicians around the world, I can't wait to play again. How rusty have we all got?

[@landztranz]

A wonderful instructional video...and almost as entertaining as your playing...

[@HowardLevyland]

Thanks!

[@MichiganRay]

I know I have done all the don't s but the soaking thing. Think a swish in a glass of good Whiskey never hurt when in a smokey bar.

[@chrisdavis7710]

Great Stuff Levy !

[@ER-me1ii]

The greatest.

[@michaelmilne9914]

4 and 5 are just wrong - My lips are so dry that I simply can not play without lip balm, but it has to be one of the really juicy kinds. A local artist makes lip balm that is super slide. Which brings me to 5 - yes do not soak wooden combs - but the plastic ones, I clean regularly, because of the lip balm, by soaking in whiskey over night. A couple of light taps in the morning and a good wipe and it is suprizing how much junk comes out - and that can not be bad for playing.

[@nacoran]

You can open up MBs. You just need a knife. It's a pain compared to regular harps but it's doable. And if the nail slots get loose break a toothpick off in them... or better yet, re-drill them for screws. For me, with popcorn it's the salt. It can ruin my lips for a day or two. I've switched to kettle corn, but you still have to rinse your mouth because of stickiness. And if you do put your harmonica in your pocket without a cover, just make sure it's a clean pocket. I do it all the time but I put everything else in the other pocket and just a harmonica in the one. :)

[@Horwellston]

MBs are the only harmonicas you can open up without a screwdriver. I can usually do it just with my fingers pulling up the cover plates. Great in a mid song harp gunk situation. The alternative is to clean your harmonicas like a sensible person.

[@TheBluesallstars]

Excellent Used to soak my harps in another lifetime

[@John-sj2md]

Have some some tasty free popcorn and peanuts with your beer between sets!!... The plight of the hungry harmonica player.

[@HowardLevyland]

😂

[@teliph3U]

8:30 That is hilarious.

[@lazur1]

3 problems solved w/1 of your 'Do's: A big key-letter taped to the top'll help staying right-side-up, & choosing the correct harp.

[@spinnerone105]

Thx!..but the most important “Do” is to listen to Howard play “Amazing Grace”!

[@uripmargono946]

Hi Howard. I have played tremolo since I was a child. I have started to play Diatonic for the last four months, but I find it is so hard to hit bending note. I use GM old. Could you please enlighten me with the right tips to do the bending notes. Thank you so much.

[@Юрій_Сова]

👍

[@timeubank4687]

I once got a guitar pick stuck inside my harmonica and it was black and you couldn't see anything at all. Don't do number 6. pocket lint too

[@congaronbo]

I rinse the parts in mouthwash.

[@kerryc5821]

Cool tips Howard. Someone I know soaks his reed plates in hydrogen-peroxide to clean them. Have you ever heard of this? I'm afraid to try as I mostly have Crossovers now, and they ain't cheap.

[@HowardLevyland]

I don’t know, not sure if it’s a good idea or not.

[@PlayitonPan]

😎

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

Do you still need to break-in harps before bending, etc. 50 yrs ago, when I last played, break-in was essential or you'd permanently bend reeds. Help.

[@HowardLevyland]

That’s a good question. These days, most of the wood combs are sealed, so you don’t need to break in harps. And plastic comb harps are the same way. We used to have to break them in so that the combs wouldn’t get too wet and expand and contract too much. That was what that was all about.

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

Thank you very much. If you give one-on-one Zoom lessons, pls let me know. @@HowardLevyland

[@jaciobe]

Can you rinse them undwr a tap then dry them.??

[@bigsanharmonica180]

I think you are missing one very important.....Do not leave your harmonicas bag alone in your car !!!

[@HowardLevyland]

You got that right!

[@nothankyou8365]

I need to add reverb to audacity , what settings do you suggest ?

[@Donna_the_harpy]

How often should I replace a harmonica.

[@gatergates8813]

When it doesn't work anymore and you can't fix it

[@catmanbluz]

what do you mean put your harp in its case and not your pocket? Then where will I put my cigar ashes?

[@HowardLevyland]

😂

[@harmonicajohn]

Howard, I want to be your friend. I just love you.

[@WolfsburgWarehouse]

Howard, I bet you will be surprised to learn you can play equally well with the bottom of your tongue. Breathe UNDER your tongue. This technique is to utilize your larynx, don't breathe through your nose for this technique.

[@JCGible]

🙂🫶

[@6Oko6Demona6]

Don't pick harmonica upside down. Don't pick wrong key... Sure. Easier said than done.

[@johncracker5217]

Classic marine bands are the easiest to open up and you don’t even need a screwdriver just a Swiss Army knife

[@paulcook68]

They are easy to open but not to often! The nail holes become oversized and eventually you'll have to drill holes and use a nut and bolt to hold them together..

[@johncracker5217]

@@paulcook68 duly noted. I’ve started to notice that happening to mine but it never bother me. By that time I just replace it

[@paulcook68]

@@johncracker5217 I used to play marine bands because they sound amazing. But with the comb always swelling it really makes them uncomfortable to play after a while. I switched over to the Suzuki manji. They don't sound better but pretty close. And way easier to maintain..

[@johncracker5217]

@@paulcook68 never tried the manji. Still love marine bands. I never felt the need to try anything other than hohner

[@paulcook68]

@@johncracker5217 Hohner is definitely make great harmonicas but they're priced way up there with Seydel. You can buy cheaper harps that you might find just as good like the Manji or even Eastop now.

[@vinsamson8061]

Excellent tips thanks Howard👌