How to hold a harmonica properly

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This is a quick lesson for absolute beginners on the proper way to hold the harmonica, from learntheharmonica.com founder Liam Ward.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup

[@KerinGedge]

Man you're good! You're tutorials are great too! I'm going to try and watch them all over the next few weeks! Thanks for sharing!

[@Learntheharmonica]

+Kerin Gedge Thanks Kerin, I'm glad you enjoy them. Keep playing! Liam

[@michaelm748]

Thanks, I've looked at several intros for starting out. Yours is the best. Thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks Michael, hope you're subscribed. Free lessons every single week :) Cheers. Liam

[@marziehtorabi6961]

I'm very new to harmonica and I've been searching for a good channel to help me learn it, and yours was the best I could find so far. I just had to leave a comment and thank you for the great work :) I'm gonna stick with you!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks Marzieh, I'm very glad to be of service, and I appreciate you leaving a comment. Good luck! Liam

[@poorchicken8333]

keep blowing is a weird thing to say at the end lol

[@Learntheharmonica]

+Poor Chicken I've always been a bit weird...

[@EenChristJesus]

Maybe keep breathing? 🤔

[@sweetnuthin]

@@EenChristJesus that's always helpful

[@CoastalConservancy]

Not really

[@sanjaydesai438]

I am an absolute beginner. Gentle request: Can you number your beginners' videos? E.G. Lesson #1, #2, .... Sanjay, India.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Sanjay, nice idea. I would like to do this, I'll just have to put some time aside to do it. Hopefully some time soon! Cheers, Liam

[@suyashbhawsar3577]

Me too!

[@frankdel5115]

Thanks for that info on holding the harmonica. i am sure that will come in handy. i only been playing a week.

[@Learntheharmonica]

No problem!

[@aabhijeet1902]

i've became a huge fan of you sir.. keep the good work up !! happy harping :-)

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for watching, and happy harping to you too! Cheers, Liam

[@nitin8308]

Me too

[@videogo]

Hi, Liam... I'm a novice LEFTY who feels much more comfortable with the harp in my RIGHT hand, cupping with my left hand for solid seals and stronger wah-wahs. Acceptable if it helps me progress through your videos more successfully?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Go for it!

[@yonosenada1773]

Alright brother. I first found your videos 3 years ago and bought the harmonica but left it and forgot it. Going to start all over from video 1 and see if I can learn this instrument. I've played the Alto sac for 30 years but want something I can carry in my pocket.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Nice one Yono, keep it up!

[@sophisticatednebula4236]

Hello! I really appreciate you making this video! I have a question, but a little context before that. I'm disabled, and my hands are quite small. I first began to try and play the piano out of pure passion, but my hands were a bottleneck, which bothered me and I ended up not playing it anymore. I always had a habit of whistling since my childhood (gotta thank my dad for that) and this one day an older gentleman on the bus caught me whistling 'Return to Sender', and he asked me whether I'd ever considered playing the harmonica, and encouraged me to do so. As for the question, due to my small hands, I cannot cover the harmonica fully (close to not at all), do you think that's going to affect the quality of music I produce? Considering I wouldn't be able to do all the effects you spoke about.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi, thanks for your comment and question. First thing to consider is getting a harmonica rack - this is a harmonica holder like the one Bob Dylan uses. This means you don't have to use your hands at all. Some people prefer to play that way. Second, the hand effects I mention are just optional extras, they're not really part of the "quality of the music" as you put it, so I wouldn't worry too much. Who knows, you might invent some revolutionary new "small-hands" sound and we'll all end up copying you! Welcome the harmonica club. Cheers. Liam

[@sophisticatednebula4236]

LearnTheHarmonica.com Thanks a lot Liam!! I'll consider the rack! But let's see if I can manage play it regularly. Thanks once again!!

[@sophisticatednebula4236]

@TanksRUs Well, quite good if I'm being honest. Had my first stage performance in September!! Which is a point I could never reach with the piano 😂

[@sophisticatednebula4236]

@TanksRUs It went flawlessly!! (I was extremely nervous that I'd mess up) I own an EastTop T10 (key of C) And hey, as long as you stay at it I have no doubt you'll be performing on stage very soon!!

[@S.h-comma.to.the.top-Dynasty]

My hands are really small and the harp extends past my index. Is it ok if I move the harp up on to the web of my fingers so that I can cup the harp? It also gives me a little bit more room to work with on the harmonica, instead of having the whole thing covered by my finger.

[@LearnerChess]

The way you pronounce words is a lot like Mick Jagger. People who aren't seeing the screen are probably thinking, "I didn't know Mick gave harmonica lessons." lol

[@Learntheharmonica]

Haha, if only I had his bank balance too!

[@writerspen010]

I've been thinking of taking up the harmonica, and the one I have is my late grandfathers. Do you have any videos on harmonica care and cleaning? Thanks! ^_^

[@Learntheharmonica]

I do :) Here's a demo video I did (you can skip through to see the main points): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJCpaatmq7efd6M I hope it helps! Cheers, Liam

[@naturesfinest3675]

Thanks for the help!

[@Learntheharmonica]

+Griffin Laberge You're very welcome! Liam

[@mommabear5132]

thanks good tip

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're welcome Alicia :)

[@joshuamex100]

Hello, I want to start learning to play the harmonica and I think I will use your series lol thanks. What kind of harmonica should I buy? 10 holes? any specifications you would recommend?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Josh, you need a 10 hole diatonic harmonica. Here's a little video about choosing the right type: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKbEm3-krpKlf6c Good luck! Liam

[@montefalco9050]

What music were you playing

[@gamingandmusic9217]

dear brother. i am a beginner that i did not even buy one. but i have great interest. please help me which one should i buy. some are 10 windows, and some have 24. and which company one is good??

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi, I have a video where I tell you what harmonicas to buy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKbEm3-krpKlf6c

[@zulalozbek1132]

hi!great job!i am beginner, should i watch this order in playlist?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yes, go for it :) The first few videos are in what I think is in the best order, then after them you can skip lessons if you want to. Good luck! Cheers. Liam

[@ClassicGreenery]

For me it feels more natural to hold the harmonica with my right hand. I'm wondering if in my case I should have the numbers facing down so that I have the lower notes by the bottom of my hand instead of having them facing upwards?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Most people hold it the way I describe in the video, but I suppose if it comes down to it then whatever works. Either way, you want to try to avoid looking for the numbers when you go to play a hole - internalise the layout rather than rely on seeing it.

[@rohitagarwal798]

I am a self taught harmonica enthusiast. I hold the harmonica in the left hand with the low notes on the right side. But when I looked at the tutorial videos online I could see that the harmonica is usually held in the left hand with the low notes on left side. I tried switching the low notes from right side to left side but but it isn't working out. I have started learning blues. Can I continue with the current style of playing or will it effect advanced playing including bending, chording and warping notes. Thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Rohit, some players do have the low notes on the right. Perhaps most famously, Paul Butterfield: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2Svdpucl7B2icU. Good enough for him, good enough for you! ;)

[@ohmigawd8916]

I've found an old "Popular delicia" harmonica (made in czechoslovakia), it has 2 "rows" and 16 notes (F key). What do you think about it? and can all of your lessons be applied to it the same?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Sorry for the delay, your comment must have slipped through the net! It's probably a tremolo harmonica. I'm afraid my lessons are just for 10 hole diatonic harmonicas :)

[@70sfaithshumate]

Hi. I'm starting to learn how to play the harmonica, any tips that would be good to know?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Biggest tip is be patient and take it slow :) Also check out my beginner lesson playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLKONji9dlomQtLpyMM4vT9K1mx_jUNxLp

[@JJadx]

i don't have a baby harmonica, i inherited my grandpa's. without numbers. pain.

[@aysuervaankara]

Hello,( from Turkey)I like your playing very much. My best friend has a birthday and I want to play our song with her on her birthday with the harmonica. song name :"alec benjamin if we have each other". can you please do the harmonica notes of this song ? please come up with a video where you play this song

[@fisheye1996]

are the beginner lessons in order?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Geo Ps, my beginner playlist is a bit random to be honest - I don't really have time to put them into a proper order. Sorry!

[@AmolGautam]

hello, first of all i would like to thank you for the videos. i have a simple doubt, i hold the harmonica by my right hand. is it allright? i saw that you hold it in left hand. i am an absolute beginner and i dont know whats the right way to hold it.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Most people hold it with their left hand so they can use their (better) right hand for hand effects. Are you left-handed? Cheers, Liam

[@AmolGautam]

LearnTheHarmonica.com i am a right handed person.

[@Learntheharmonica]

I recommend trying to hold the harmonica with your left hand. But it's up to you :)

[@naturesfinest3675]

What kind of harmonica do you have and where did you get it?

[@Learntheharmonica]

+Griffin Laberge In this video I'm using a Hohner Marine Band harmonica. Not sure where I got it as this is a pretty old video! They're widely avaiable, and any diatonic harmonica will work for all my lessons. Good luck!

[@hellomrbluesky1754]

you are great thank you! :)

[@Learntheharmonica]

+Misheel B Thanks for watching, Misheel!

[@squizzy8162]

Mine doesnt have the numbers. Could you also explain it like ummm.. on what side the deeper notes are?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Most people hold it with the low notes on their left :)

[@squizzy8162]

@@Learntheharmonica thanks :)

[@salt_acoustic]

Do you hold it with your dominant hand???

[@Learntheharmonica]

Not usually, most right-handers use their left hand. It means your dominant hand is then free to do hand wah etc, like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX_ChX5rpZ2jiLM. Cheers, Liam.

[@hemachinnad403]

I don’t have numbers on my harmonica

[@TrixiesSourToesYT]

Hi, Can you play and write with C harmonica Nearer my God to thee, thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

Great song, will add to my list! Cheers, Liam

[@TrixiesSourToesYT]

thank you please let me know when can I check it ou don't forget in "G" I have this one :-)

[@mooseydeucy]

nice.

[@blackie75]

I imagine that the people who play the harp upside down are simply left handed and not at all ambidextrous.

[@mommabear5132]

:0 good one bud

[@leonardosolera3642]

"Keep Blowing" hahahaha "Cheers" hahahaha

[@billychan4633]

❤

[@KumpayaKumbraka]

2020! haha

[@fuckbored4724]

Should my uper lip make contact with my left index finger (the one on top of the harp) ?, or should my lip be free to slide freely along the harp whle making no contact with my left index finger?

[@Learntheharmonica]

My lip touches my finger, but I can still slide along because I am not gripping the harp tightly with my mouth. Hope this helps!