Top 10 mistakes that beginner harmonica players make

[@Learntheharmonica]

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[@havidztoo7979]

You’re absolutely right about the 2 draw….. really struggle with it and was concerned it was stuck or not working….how weird…thank you

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're very welcome 😎

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for watching! Remember to ‘Subscribe’ and click the bell to get all my free lessons: bit.do/subscribe-learntheharp

[@jan4946]

Just took apart, inspected the 2-draw reed/spring and put it back together. Stumbled over tip 9 in this video. Good to know the harp is not the problem :) After Tip 8 I noticed that I need to lure the 2-draw and the 1-draw out, as they need longer to activate than the other draws. And breathing in too hard just makes them sound iffy.

[@dolphy1harp]

So true! I have my c harp now 3 years. I am still a beginner. Because of impatience and lack of focus. But I have learned a few things, like paying single notes, chugging, keep time with the metronome, some improvising. But I cannot play by heart, I need the tab sheet. I cannot bend. I am now in Tomlin school.😊

[@danlaxer514]

I love this video. I've been playing for nearly two years, and I think my biggest mistakes are still looking at the harp; Howard Levy pointed out that the harmonica is the only instrument that's invisible to the player, so I try always be conscious of what hole I'm on to train my ear better. And being impatient, which has always been my downfall - if I'm having trouble with a certain song or lick or scale I throw my hands up and say "To heck with it!" LOL.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yes I think we can all empathise with those two, Dan! Good luck in 2021 :)

[@Gaf-super-8-music554]

My harmonica doesn't have any numbers🙂

[@360NoScopedMyDogEz]

@@Gaf-super-8-music554 me too lol

[@mikelvaz6110]

Thank you, Liam...well done!!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@janfrombelgium5410]

Hey, I bought my very first harmonica today... When I got home I looked on KZbin and found your videos = interesting for sure! Now, when I bought it I told the guy in the store that I loved County, Rock & Roll, Blues, Rockabilly, folk and gospel. And of course that I was new to harmonica. He sold me a Hohner (no surprise I guess) it more specifically is a Hohner Marine Band. Do you think this was a good choice? Thanks in advance and greetings from Belgium!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yes Marine Band is a good instrument. For me, the wood swells and cracks so I prefer a plastic comb, but hopefully you won't have that problem. MB is a very popular instrument and I hope you like it!

[@janfrombelgium5410]

@@Learntheharmonica Thanks for the reply! And yes I do like it a lot, but of course I can't compare it with anything yet 🙄😁🙃 Is there any other Hohner you would advise for those genres AND as a beginner?...

[@burntchickennugget8142]

Wow, some great tops my man, that one about 3 draw got me good, i actually thought it was super broken Great video

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks, and good luck to you! 😎

[@steinernder1684]

2:04 what was exactly why I searched for a video like this lol

[@bluebow68]

Hi,thank you so much for this informative vid...Think I might give the Tin Sandwich a go!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Do it! 🤣

[@nichaloswaddington6130]

I agree with no.10 first harmonica they tried to sell me a Hohner stand by told me it’s the best they offer . They had marinebands and sp 20 on there shelf’s and told me this

[@Learntheharmonica]

Haha yes you weren't the first and you won't be the last!

[@joerizkallah4479]

Amazing I still struggle with bending notes But hopefully i’ll be able to do it one day

[@Learntheharmonica]

You'll get it in the end Joe. Good luck!

[@astone612]

Wenn I got my First Harmonica the shopkeeper persistently tried to sell me a tremolo harmonica, even though I requested a 10 hole diatonic. Thank God I watched too many videos about what harmonica to get that day!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Haha, it happens so often - it's criminal!

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

Well done, Liam! Great advice, as usual!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Very informative information.

[@themarquee1497]

I'm not sure if this is a "mistake" per se, but I find maintaining a good posture to be very distracting. I typically start off sitting upright with the harp held with the full length of the left thumb, index and middle fingers, but after thirty minutes, I'm laying on my back, delicately pinching on each side with thumb and index fingers as though I'm eating a sandwich, just trying to focus on getting a good single note.

[@Percibalcoloma]

Amazing ..😊 i just want to know about the harmonica and how to play it with the nice sound..thank you sir for sharing..

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're welcome :)

[@falansfilans100]

thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're welcome!

[@grahamread7518]

Not having a regular practice time or program.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yes very true Graham. I've been guilty of this myself over the years.

[@pkn358]

Can i have a heart, I really enjoy learning with your channel

[@dhelders]

Great! Thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're welcome!

[@KerinGedge]

Mate, you forgot mistake number 11 - "not subscribing to learntheharmonica.com" :p

[@finazahra287]

I love your shirt! excellent video too 😁

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thank you! 😁 I sell the t-shirts at learntheharmonica-merch-store.creator-spring.com/listing/warning-not-a-toy?product=389

[@chrissharratt4615]

Hi,as a beginner I am using Hohner blues harps,,are these ok. And what is the difference between these and the marine band cheers.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Chris, yes Blues Harps are OK. Marine Bands have a wooden comb which some believe makes them sound richer, but it's really down to personal preference.

[@lisadistler8406]

Hi Ian, my problem is 7,8,9 draws and blows. I can’t seem to find a way to get the higher notes come out. This 10 biggest mistakes might help though, as I now see that I’m blowing too hard and hyperventilating (almost) especially on those higher notes. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us all !

[@Learntheharmonica]

You’re welcome Lisa, thanks for watching! I have a video about those high notes… kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaK5ZYlueceYp7s

[@Gfaqwoody71]

Heh tought my 2 draw was broken so i bought a new one luckily tough its still boxxed since i figgured i use the old one for breathing exercise/first tunes Also can anyone do the DOOM 2 text screen? Just curious

[@savvysavannah1529]

As a blind girl, I can guarantee you the one mistake I WON't make is looking at the instrument... LOL.

[@lovekrav]

When you mention 2 draw do you mean drawing hole #2 or on two holes at the same time?

[@Learntheharmonica]

2 draw means breathing in on hole number 2. Hope this helps!

[@Gfaqwoody71]

Mmmhhh still iffy on the 2 draw its not stuttering just reeeaal soft compared to its neighbours good vid tough i was tempted to try bending seeing as missing notes is anoying Thanks

[@thetwoinitiative-t2i47]

Am still a beginner though hard the harmonica for years yet never paid much attention to it until now. Just today I thought the instrument was defective but it was a one brow... What should consider to get a good diatonic harmonica online?

[@Learntheharmonica]

I recommend a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C for beginners 😎

[@natehawkins8732]

Great video! Awesome advice! I just started learning the harmonica, and I have a question. When I tongue a note on the harmonica, where do I need to tongue like the back of my teeth, the actual hole of the harp? (Ex. a saxophonist tongues the reed)

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Nate - if you're tongue blocking, the tongue going directly on the harmonica comb itself. I have lessons on tongue blocking, starting with this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYavfIWcnLd1jtU

[@philasselstine7816]

Ur link not working for complete beginners corse

[@funkedouted]

Yep timing, I must buy a metronome for practice.

[@Gaf-super-8-music554]

My harmonica was a 3 dollar one. I HAD to change it😔

[@billychan4633]

[@jerrycohencohen8901]

You found my mistakes.

[@sepultura7771]

I usually like your videos very much, but I strongly disagree with number six about changing your harmonica.I would actually go the opposite way and tell new players to try out as many harmonicas as they can get their hands on, as each one offers a different perspective and sound, I understand the point you were making about work on technique and doing always blame it on the harmonica, but at the same time, each brand harmonica and even key can be very different , inspiring and even enlightening in it’s own way. So trying out as many as possible is an eye opening experience And you’re realizing different levels of brightness and mellow ness , different sounds and playability, Etc etc