How to Breathe on Harmonica

[@TomlinHarmonica]

🎵 Just starting out on harmonica? Join my FREE Blues Harmonica Foundation Course here 👉 foxly.link/p5ugYk

[@fitnesslibrarian9013]

I never realized how meditative the harmonica is. Trying to breathe through the higher notes and the draw 2 is takes serious meditative relaxing... I feel like I just broke through a mental block on it

[@mem1gui]

I can totally relate this to my breathing practices in yoga.

[@timelkin838]

A sound union

[@JC-Nor-Cal]

oh this is ridicules. iv been breathing my whole life.. lol. those are words of wisdom Tomlin. ANOTHER GOOD HARP LESSON. THANK YOU.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+John Cammarota NOR-CAL KENNELS AMERICAN BULLIES breathing is tough John ;-)

[@boomivaasi]

2nd day of harmonica.. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!

[@davidaames7470]

how is it goin'...

[@tomstratemeyer2337]

Tom, have you ever tried to teach the harmonica to someone with copd ? I'm a 75 year old Vietnam Vet with copd and I'm interested in learning to play a harmonica . Do you think it's possible ?

[@megpacker2959]

you really just helped me link mindfulness in with my harmonica journey, thank you! a beautiful reminder

[@Aprajita_gupta]

You are a wonderful human. Teaching with so much patience and understanding. Love and respect from a student 🌞

[@georgeparasis8456]

This is the Most useful tutorial for beginners in harmonica. Have been struggling to breath, losing count cause i had to pause and most important not enjoying and relaxing. Breathing is important to all kinds of instruments. Thnx for this dude.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure George!

[@LuckeGabriel]

I've had a harmonica for a few years, I remember looking on YT for lessons, found some but none were that helpful or insightful or were one off type tip videos that made it hard to find a path of progress. Now I see your stuff and its exactly what I had been missing.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

That's brilliant to hear Lucke :-)

[@MrSpanky2001]

After playing/practicing the harp for over 7 years, I still work on breathing a few minutes every day. It seems like I'm just getting the hang of it. Nothing is more basic or important than properly breathing through the harp.

[@creationfive]

Lots of good harmonica instructors out there but Tomlin is excellent and always my go to. Excellent breathing lesson - clear and concise. Thanks again, Tomlin!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Aw thank you! I'm glad you found it useful :-)

[@nickd4785]

Extremely helpful - in particular the tip about listening for the air on the draw and feeling that cold patch towards the back of the mouth when you get it right. That last tip alone seemed to be key in helping me to hit the F on 2 draw whereas until now I've been hovering just below F#. Thanks a lot!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Nick Dillon excellent news Nick :-)

[@bootsie501]

That diaphragm truck almost completely fixed my 2 hole draw. Had no idea why it was so hard to draw on the 2 hole

[@lustigga]

You`re a great teacher , Tomlin!! Glad you chose the harmonica to prove it.... :)

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you Gail! :-)

[@CAPITAINETABARNAC]

Thanks for the tips. That's one of my major problem when I play: breathing. Then, I can't bend or holding my bend properly. I'm getting more in the harmonica right now...how long should I practice in a day? And, by the way, keep on the good work. I love your videos and lesson from your website ✌😎

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+B.A.R.N.A.K. Hiya, you should practice for as long as you can really concentrate and practice well. For most people this will be 20-30 minutes.

[@adrienne_12thorpe]

THIS. IS. THE. BEST!!! Been singing for over 30 years and this is the first time I’ve actually learned how to breathe like this. Was well aware of the diaphragm and how to use it...the way you said it made it so plain. Thank you.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you Adrienne, I'm glad it works for you :-)

[@davidjdehne]

Thanks, I've been fighting with that 2 draw. Recognizing the difference between sucking in air and just breathing naturally is very helpful.

[@anitazuck]

excellent! i've had these breathing problems for years and finally... the answer! thanks!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+anitazuck brilliant to hear :-)

[@puppetlady1]

True story . . I am doing a puppet skit with a camel puppet named Camille and she confesses that she has spent a week learning the harmonica. So I was searching on KZbin for instructional video and luckily found yours. Ironically, I myself have been interested to learn. Thank you for your time and talents.

[@manylch7964]

Great video, fundamental stuff. I am a beginner and had trouble with the 2 draw until I went back to basics completely relaxed and used my diaphragm. After that it became easy peasy to produce long pure notes on the draw. Thanks so much

[@marybethhempel9101]

It is a basic thing and I do it fine until I play a song or something. Wow, I really am going to back up here and focus on diaphragm breathing every day! This is a great video and it is crazy how I know about diaphragm breathing and even watched your video here before, but I am really realizing how super important this is to grasp because it affects everything when playing the harmonica correctly to achieve good bends, clear notes, songs, vibrato, etc. The control of the breath is everything!! Thank you Tomlin!! :)

[@kurtdvet]

This has been a big problem for me trying to play for an extended period of time. This really helped. thanks so much!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Awesome Kurt! Let me know how the breathing progresses :-)

[@keesvanderlinden5753]

Thank you Tomlin. Again very nice tips for me.

[@alyssarosnes-bryson6262]

i wanna learn so i can sit around my school and ominously play the harmonica

[@Tuffsmoygles]

Thanks man, i was having some issues breathing and getting one note, watched a couple of your videos and cleared it up.

[@problemSolvedForYou]

Thank yoy so much! I started learning recently and i was doing the exact mistake you mentioned.. i was sucking the air... Now its clear.. will practise correct breathing now.. thanks

[@morgino2405]

I've watched two different harmonica vids and they are both brits, wasnt expecting that!

[@davidedwards8272]

Fantastic guy . I new I was doing something wrong so simple explanation only because he explained it thoroughly. My go to guy for tips now. Can't wait only two days and I been picking it fast. Already play guitar . I heard it strengths the lungs to which I need. Excited. Nice was mate nice one.

[@ursamiet8564]

Thanks a lot Tomlin! I learned almost all (besides the book from Sandy Weltman) of what I can play from you. Great video, fundamental stuff - and i ignored it until now!! Sooner or later i'll join your school too. Best regard from Switzerland

[@wolfmansory2155]

I love this guy. PERIOD

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Aw thanks buddy!

[@paulwylie3731]

Bless you bro!!! thanks so much :) have been able to play all notes on my C harmonica but have always struggled to draw an 8 on my A harmonica, butttt finally I have managed to make that hole make noise as I realized I was partially "sucking" instead of "breathing". Thanks again, spent ages trying to figure it out ahah

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Yes! You got it,ya got to feel it,no bullshit! Rock on brother;;;;;;!!

[@lexiebracciano6247]

So I've been having this harmonica lying around as well, and I've just decided you shall be my teacher :P I don't know a thing about harmonicas (yet :P ) but I am starting with a Hohner Pro Harp MS, I guess it'll do the job! So far I found it a bit hard to inhale properly but no rush, like you say, it'll get there ^ Greetings from Greece and thank you for the lessons!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Lexie - great to have you on board. Breathing is really tough on the harmonica as it needs to be as relaxed and light as possible. Keep persevering and you will get it :-)

[@tashinorbu5038]

thanks for you guidance that's the problem i have rt now......need to fix it to learn more. thanks again..!!!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

No problem Tashi - let me know how you get on :-)

[@diptapaul5938]

Learn many thing in one video.Thank you

[@bbsharma9]

This one is really a very useful info. I used to make some mistakes with breathing

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+bharat bhushan sharma thats great - breathing is important ;-)

[@jamesk690]

very impressive, this Gent seems to have a knack for teaching

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+James K aw thank you James :-)

[@MichaelForbes777]

Really appreciate all the tips. I'm trying to get Roadhouse Blues for a Doors tribute by Jan 1. I play sax on Touch Me

[@harmagician1]

Very good lesson on breathing. Provides specifics. Not mere generalities.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks Dave :-)

[@jordanelmhirst7373]

Thanks again man great lesson both in life and harp. Couldn’t do it without you mate

[@quailstudios]

I think the hardest thing is to take a technique that you are good at, and and do without thinking, and try to explain it. Very good job, thumbs up, and cheers to you! Long Train Running? I love that song and can play it too. I ought to teach that!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

You should definitely do a long train running lesson - love that tune :-)

[@quailstudios]

+Tomlin Leckie Seriously thinking about it. :)

[@sukmandragon]

Thank you so much for all the tips! As a beginner, every tip is treausre!!! What a great teacher you are!

[@maddym8779]

Really... How could u explain that so easily... Wow.. .. Cool thanks..

[@TimmyDel1959]

Thank You, Tomlin. Your breaking it down to simple steps really helps.

[@guangchaoliu5517]

Hi Tomlin, Thx so much your video really help me out!I've been "Sucking" the hole all the time since I played harp half year ago ,but find the breath and pitch are always not very steady especially when bending.Now I learned I should use my diaphram to hold the steady breath(probably the muscle of diaphram not that strong though)! I also found while breathing by diphram , contact my upper and lower teeth and pull the tongue backwards is a little bit help of forcing myself to use the diphram. Greeting from CHINA!Thanks for making this awesome video!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

That is awesome to hear. You will definitely build up your strength and get a more and more stable breath which will make your notes sound stronger. Keep up the good work!

[@panorama3332]

I bought may harmonica long ago. Perfect time to learn how to play it.

[@kevinmoulton2480]

As a trained classical singer, I know how to breath diaphragmatically. The issue I have with the harmonica is how to get a breath while I'm playing a riff, as with Love Me Do, where there are a bunch of draws. It's hard to find a spot to take a breath, at least for a beginner like me.

[@DP-hw9uq]

Great lesson!

[@Meme-go9ts]

Thank you so much for teaching us through this video!!

[@dorkdelacruz6340]

Thanks a lot Tomlin! Keep it up! I learned 90 percent of what I can play from you. harp on! :)

[@lindacreatore1628]

Hi Tomilin....great video! Do you cover "circular" breathing technique? I am in awe of a player who I think you know...Christelle Berthon....whose ability to hold notes for what seems like an eternity, is due to this technique. Just wondering if you teach it or what your thoughts are on it? I just watched a recent Christelle video where she holds (with expression and dynamics) the same note for 39 seconds and then moves effortlessly to the next note and so on. Thanks and love your videos...they are very well done and extremely helpful!

[@rongarza9488]

Great lesson. I'm having trouble with "air inventory". The Beatles' I Should Have known better is -34 ~ 45 -45 45, where -34 ~ = five 8ths and the rest = one 8th each, and that is six draws and two blows. It doesn't take long to figure out that we need more exhaling! How is that done? nose? or overblow during the two 45s? How do you do it?

[@rockonileva]

Great way to start! Just bought a hapr yesterday and it's great to see these breathing lessons because instinctively I was too tense while breathing! Tonight I'll practice this!! Thanks! Ahh one thing! I bought a C harp. I saw that with that I can play blues in G... but it's the same thing when playing blues in Em?

[@krazytown667]

Thank you so much. This video is so helpful for beginners such as myself. THANK YOU, TOMLIN LECKIE!!

[@burleybater]

Cool. First time I've been able to sit here with my brand new Hohner Marine Band Crossover C! Looking forward to lots more education. I'm a literal freshman (though long time guitar player) and I'm ready to climb the heights. Pretty excited. Took your advice on the brand and model of harp. Feels real good in the hand. I'll be around.

[@bluesglimpse4936]

Thanks man 💗

[@CristerRingkvist]

Really good explanation on breathing technique! Well Done.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Crister - I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@leonlombard6740]

@@TomlinHarmonica s, and see

[@pluism47]

Thank you ! You are right

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Pluis Mulder thank you :-)

[@sykromsmile6303]

Great video, thanks so much for harmonica course

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

WOW...that note you played around the 3.30 mark!! You should be a free diver!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Lol - maybe in another career :-)

[@eduardofracassi3113]

Thanks!

[@tomaszrapala8085]

QUESTION Hello Tomlin, great lessons ! Thank you for them. Really helpfull. I just wanted to know if there is ever nose used to breath while playing the harmonica. Do you ever let go some air or draw with your nose while playing ?? I tend to let go some Air if I got too much but not sure if its the right thing to get used to early on. Please let me know. Thank you so much !!!!

[@pluism47]

Thank you so much for your answer but being impatient .....

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Pluis Mulder we are all impatient but learning an instrument takes time :-)

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thanks for this lesson! Thank you.

[@noregrets2157]

Thanks for this video and all of your videos in general, mate! "Superhuman lungperson" totally cracked me up. xD

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Superhuman Lungperson!!

[@MAGA33321]

Oh and thank you for the videos.

[@SillyHerpFamily]

Thank you for your videos! I am really enjoying them. I am curious about the order of your videos in the 'Beginner Harmonica Lessons' playlist. They seemed shuffled. Do you have them in the order you want people to view them? Or is this KZbin shuffling them?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Andy Rea hi Andy, they are ordered by KZbin. I'll see if I can change that to something more logical...

[@SillyHerpFamily]

You have to go into the settings of the playlist and change it to manual order and you will be able to adjust the order.

[@tonydailide1429]

Very helpful and useful tips. Thanks.

[@edwardslater8564]

l got a marine band harmonica in c . l am just starting to learn it

[@jor_dasan1810]

hi Tomlin! thanks a lot for the lesson! Is it normal to feel some kind of discomfort in the throat? kind of similar to the one you might get when you have a cold?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Jorda, I think that you might be playing too hard if you are getting discomfort in the throat. It should all be super relaxed :-)

[@christianbernard3797]

Très bons conseils....merci Tomlin...

[@amasol2222]

Thank you for the helpful tips!

[@marybethhempel9101]

Thank you for this video Tomlin. It has been super helpful! :)

[@stefanmlawa]

thank you thank you thank you! Really works!!

[@jawalahalanehru]

Good job on trivially explaining untrivial stuff! Though I got totally confused about the 3 draws 5 blows 6 draws wth mate!!! ;-) Will be ordering my harmonica soon as I have been eyeing it since a while, looking forward to reviewing next lessons.

[@titolegdcc]

thanks one more time....this help....nice hair cut!!!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Cheers!

[@gaijin134]

Good explanations. Cheers.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure!

[@delmay175]

Most helpful, thanks

[@ursamiet8564]

Danke!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you so much!!

[@lancelotrozario5749]

Tomlin. What do I need for your class. A Diatonic or a Blues 10 hole Harmonica. Also in key C or G or dual in one harmonica?

[@loasidasortiz9716]

Thks again bro your the best, I would love to hear u play Moanin by Art Blakey, I haven't seen all your videos maybe you have so how about it much love mate!

[@ellicebrown1225]

thank man great tps

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Cheers!

[@karenzilverberg4699]

Thanks.

[@pluism47]

HI i enjoy your lessons very much , writing you from Spain, I just don't succeed in bending, as if I am choking , and I am left without breath, I started 2 weeks ago I admit .could you give me an advice ? Tank you so much

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Pluis Mulder hi Pluis, first of all this is totally normal :-). The first step to being able to bend is being able to play nice clean notes with minimal effort. Then once you can do that (might take a few months) check out my lesson on bending - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXmum5qklL19n6s

[@mezbahuddinpalash]

♥ from Bangladesh

[@robertburr9612]

Excellent!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+R Burr :-)

[@kevinmarshall9001]

This helped me so much

[@ThePumpkinToad]

I like this dude, but I wish you guys could see my impression of him. Lol it's spot on

[@atodd22]

Works, thanks.

[@Joemamma664]

oh my god thats it!!! awesome video .. thanks

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks Mark - I'm glad you found it useful!

[@bradlyhenson1814]

OMG !!!! 🤯 I have had such a HARD Time with Breathing until I found this Video. 😵‍💫🤣

[@MuLT1G4M3]

is this the new yoga classroom? jokin', nice vid

[@cadebennett4697]

3:41 Hahaha I'm not quite there yet, new to this

[@kelseyrenee91]

Big fan of watching you try to not break into laughter talking about sucking... hahahaha

[@fridalee5130]

I HAVE ASTMA!!! I HAVE NOT BREAD GOOD MY HOLE LIFE and I think this maybe washent the best instrument for me

[@GalenWillettMusic]

1. Breathe 2. Don't suck Just kidding. This is great info. Thanks, coach!

[@denzilmartins5130]

Most important piece of advice for a beginner! Thanks!

[@alfredoramos9734]

Hi, what kind of harmonica should i get? Any suggestion?

[@Corinthians-om2mx]

Macaulay Culkin??

[@reverendv8900]

After four years of trying I could not play any deeper than from my throat, let alone my chest and NEVER from the diaphragm. I simply could not do it despite having tapes and CDs teaching how to do this. I have just this moment followed what you did and again could not do it all these years later. Is is possible for some to have a physical makeup that renders this impossible? I know there is a method that forces one to play from the diaphragm that involves a pipe and a bucket of water but cannot find the video I saw many years ago that demonstrated this.