The Game-Changing Harmonica Lesson I Wish I Knew Earlier

Download the scale cheatsheet:
bit.ly/scalesheet
Just to clarify, this is the general way I think about improvising. You can try this exercise out if you want, but it was more to demonstrate my point. In actual playing, you may be juggling a handful of hooks that you are developing over the course of a song.
Watch the REDS method for some context: • this will change how y...
Backing Track by Nick Neblo:
• Twelve Bar Blues Guita...
Other videos mentioned:
Learn vibrato: • this technique will TR...
Ways to develop your hook:
Change the timing
Reverse it
Hold a note
Play staccato
Repeat notes
Add Chords
Remove a Note
Add a note
Play it faster
Give structure to your Harmonica practice with Harp Trainer, a scale training program designed to help you become a more confident harmonica player.
Click here: bit.ly/Harptrainer
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[@HarmonicaRevolution]

This video connects with my REDS Method for improvising. Watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHa8hZ-AmJ2EsLc

[@michaelmaggio519]

In 12 minutes, you just opened my eyes to what has felt like the impenetrable mystery of improvising on the harmonica. Thanks so much for this lesson, Jonah!

[@josephnestoryak2892]

Wow! Mystery solved! Thank you so much for breaking things down like you did. Best example I've seen.

[@tellerrand8733]

I see you, my thought also.

[@smilingiscontagious709]

This was one of the best lessons so far. It really puts everything together in a simple way. Just with three simple notes(minus the added ones at the end of course) but learning how to combine all those methods is a useful skill. Thank you

[@Marco-zq9vd]

I'll be jamming to this for a long time! A lot of fun in such a simple concept. Amazing

[@tedoliver60]

Well said! I really like the way you explain things. Keep up the good work!

[@HeroLAT]

Just picked up the harmonica, but have played guitar for nearly 30 years. I've always found improving solos terrifying. You just quantified and made accessible something that has evaded me for a lifetime. Incredible video, Jonah. Thanks for all you do.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Awesome! And this totally works with Guitar too, there’s just a lot more complexity; many more techniques and chords you can add in.

[@rodfredericks1939]

Wow , you're right this is a game changer . Just what I need . Bloody awesome mate. Possibly the best lesson on KZbin.

[@RogerLetour]

I just watched this and joined in. It was totally cool. Muchas gracias mi amigo! Muy genial!

[@stefanvalentinotti]

Great tipps, thank you Jonah!

[@andyrobert976]

Wow this was what i was waiting for. Thanks Jonah.

[@kirkgombos4078]

Great lesson Johnna ... I like how you and Jason Ricci keep it simple and compact using just a few notes at a time and do as much as you can with just a little at a time ... great lesson thanks for the short cuts .... Keep it up your an excellent teacher ....

[@johntreadaway47]

Great lesson. Thank you Jonah.

[@rstarnes1574]

This was my favorite lesson of yours so far!!!

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

That's awesome, glad to hear it!

[@seaesta2daboat]

Wonderful and useful lesson. The best. Thanks!!

[@JohnG11000]

This is awesome Jonah,many thanks.

[@RockOak1]

I've been intermittently working on the harmonica for about a year and a half. This is the first video that I've found that made it easy to try out some techniques that are fun, work, and sound good. Other videos get too technical sometimes, while this one shows you how to have fun with it.

[@jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins1294]

Jonah: What a great video for a beginning harp player like me. I love the -1 2 -2 riff. Some friends of mine are also learning how to play, so I am going to Share this video with them. Your videos are just the greatest! Cheers!

[@marks.r.9934]

Absolutly just in my wheelhouse of new areas Ive been working in. Really I just switched over adding this to my playing. I give you 👍

[@JB-rw9xt]

Awesome lesson Jonah! I needed this to get out of my rut and it gives me some great ideas for building solos.

[@mistep444]

Wow - this is so smoothly put - I'm struggling with the very basics and this tutorial is like a breath of fresh air to me. Thx and carry on!

[@rudycastillo5183]

Great video. Thanks. Very easy to follow.

[@christophermccarthy6889]

Thanks Jonah, 👍, Fantastic lesson , Happy Easter, 😊

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Happy Easter 🐰🐇🐣

[@tennisbum3686]

I'm just starting playing harmonica after many decades I've just general playing with no technique. I'm glad I found your site Jonah, you are talented and make a good instructor. I know what good instruction is because I'm a tennis coach, and know the difference. I'm looking forward to developing technique and variety in my playing the harmonica.

[@yarone4451]

Jonah thanks so much... it seemed that your video's are the best out there...

[@jacob1628]

Fantastic video!

[@omerriff]

Excellent lesson👌👌👌thank you so much 🙏

[@lurereviews5164]

Thank you for the content

[@derekmorrison1973]

Great lesson. Thank you

[@kevincurran942]

This is a great lesson, will help me to improve my improvising at our jams

[@peterbroderick3336]

Absolutely great

[@justincheney2925]

Awesome bro 🤩🙏

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Great video!!

[@MrSYL12]

Excellent tutorial. Love it buddy

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Without any backing tracks or background, I do improv, and love coming up with new lyrics and licks on the harmonica, and on the fly it is very rewarding !!!

[@seppodoc]

This vid really helped open up a world of improvisation. As a classically trained musician [violin], I always struggled with the improv. thanks!

[@und-taeglich-gruesst]

I'm so happy to found your videos. You are the very best teacher on KZbin. Thank you! Best wishes from Germany - Thomas

[@ferznator]

wow, great video! awesome explenation, thanks a lot!

[@wadenoble3333]

Your best lesson yet

[@ER-me1ii]

Very excellent lesson to progress basic improv skills. ✌🏻

[@clausseidel916]

Great Job! Thx a lot!

[@CoachBradSmith]

Very nice!

[@jimclement5637]

Excellent, thank you.

[@lurereviews5164]

Been watching about 5 different channels, but I found my one. Great content!

[@warmlampworkshop]

Thanks a lot, it was great!

[@MericanHarmonicas]

Thank you!

[@Samoaba]

That was so cool.

[@JB-rw9xt]

Dood! Best backing track In a long time.

[@benjaminperez3867]

Well done.

[@kierantighe9225]

Nice one thank you very much

[@prasadpankar3794]

This is just amazing boss.... This will be my first shot at BLUES 😍😍😍😍😍 Thank you so much 🙌🙏🙏🙏

[@MaxEberle]

Dang bro, thank you! That’s very helpful 🏆🏆🤙🙏

[@battleborn2002]

Glad I watched this.

[@70bluesville]

This was helpful, I'm brand new 😊 Thank you

[@gonyoutub]

wow! that was..... awesome! what a compact. clear, concise, clever, checklist😂

[@heidiirenenyhammer7890]

Thank you for usefull lesson (a more easy way for a beginner to try)😊👍

[@przemoharp]

EXCELLENT! Thanks for this valuable lesson. Regards from Poland.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

You're welcome!

[@GeeDeeBird]

Maybe you'll mention it later (I'm still watching the video), but one of the most powerful modifications is changing the dynamics (volume) as you play.

[@doedesjel]

I stared at your painted acoustic for the whole video. Almost.. 😂 Good suggestions to the newbies man, it's nice to keep the brain working while playing 😎

[@MrSupersidewinder]

What teaching skills!!! Equally useful for 1st day beginners and seasoned players. Bravo❣🤪👍🎵🎶🎉💥

[@anthonyrobertelli2998]

Great lesson.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Thanks! We’ve done this exercise together, haven’t we?

[@raymondgawthorne6570]

Brilliant video & I’ll be givin’ it a “blow”! Many thanks👍

[@EsDemente]

Hi Jonah thanks for your amazing videos man. Suggestion video about 3 hole bending sometime produce a high pitched shrieking.

[@nerenahd]

This actually very useful 👍

[@danwilliams8695]

Digging that

[@ramirodelagarza9946]

I luv this!

[@tellerrand8733]

It helps really well. Thats a good one.😅😅😅

[@johnmerrill4717]

Nice

[@VEXG32]

Very awesome! Gonna be applying this to practice. I’m getting back into playing so I’m revisiting the basics. Any suggestions?

[@anthonyrobertelli2998]

Yes we have.

[@junsanicoharmonicamusicvid1880]

I'd like to see how you blow your harmonica in accordance to the song you want to play because I want to play harmonica perfectly. I want to learn more from you. Thanks for sharing.

[@AmericanDuck1776]

You made aound lije ik what im doing thank you so much

[@darrellbennett3491]

An you can also tap your tongue as you blow to get the rythm of the music and go back back forward blowing and drawing a notes and improve like you are singing the notes like scat singing..

[@ericdiestro3604]

Wow, that was good jammin with you.. I enjoyed it..

[@noddyholder6082]

Yes. Excellent I've cracked it top man. Now wheres that guirar😂

[@NiekEdeling]

Nice lesson, but why do'nt you play the third note of this lick as hole 3 blow? You could then slide from 2 blow to 3 blow (and back).

[@GeoffsPhilsInfo]

Does anyone know which harmonica (make, type and key) was used in the Rolling Stones song, Not Fade Away? Thanks

[@edcalcutt]

i should practice like this but i never play to backing tracks just to whoever i want to play to on Pandora

[@walterwoods3786]

Do you have live cuts with a band posted on KZbin?

[@MrJohnA125]

Brilliant piece of work jonah but you never linked it with the 12 bar blues going on in the BACKGROUND. Ie as you changed from the 4th bar to 5th and 8th to 9th. It was as if the background wasnt there. This is the part I find extremely difficult. Thank you great stuff

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

When you’re improvising, sometimes you can just ignore the chords and just play. As long as you’re using the right scale, you will be harmonizing and everything will sound OK.

[@wimvanarkel7976]

Man, as a real beginner.( 7 lessons ) i get what you are saying. But dude, i,m a long from this kinda playing. Will i ever learn?

[@ersatzvitamin1]

This could be gamified!

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Thats a fun idea! I may use that

[@ersatzvitamin1]

@@HarmonicaRevolution Oh, please do!

[@john-nx4xn]

What does Paddy Richter tuning do?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

It changes hole 3, so you can play scale degree 6 on 3 blow vs on -3’’. This allows you to play in 1st and 4th positions easier. This change also makes Irish music easy to play, which is generally what they are used for.

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Listen to sonny boy Williams, it will inspire you!!, that's for everyone!!👍😎

[@waltseher7115]

Cause the hook brings you back. Hey!!! I ain't tellin you no lieeessss!!! Ok I'll leave now😁

[@judethedude5726]

Best song

[@mrmote-eh7rh]

พูดมาก

[@mountbeckworth1]

Thanks. But the typed stuff is unecessary and distracting.

[@chickenman7252]

Clickbait master

[@donyash-harmonica]

Great lesson, thank you Jonah.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Thanks for watching Don, glad I could help!

[@haycreekhavenhch8298]

Nice